duct tape projects

The last time I got new checks, they where attached along the top rather than the left side like all the other checks I ever had. Needless to say, the fancy leather checkbook cover I made no longer worked. So I made this one.

This is the second simplest duct tape project of all time (see the bookmark for the simplest). It is also good practice for making duct tape sheets. (Check my previous post on how to make duct tape sheets) My checkbook required about 3 1/2 yards of duct tape and took about 20 minutes to make. YMMV.

My new checkbook is about 6 1/8″ by 3″. The cover is one sheet with two 3″ pockets with a 1 1/2″ gap between them. So my final sheet is 6 1/2″ wide by 3″ + 3″ + 1 1/2″ + 3″ + 3″ = 13 1/2″. Adjust the size to fit your checks.

Now take the sheet, fold over the pockets and tape the sides. Fold in half and you are done! Now you can write out a check for more duct tape.

What If I Have The Old Style?

If you have the old style checks that are bound on the left, I would try making the same size sheet. I would then put some reinforcing tape along the left side of the bottom pocket. A piece on each side of the pocket would probably be enough. Then cut a slit through the tape about an 1/8″ or more from the left edge. Then tape up the sides and the top of the bottom pocket.

Disclaimer: I have not tried this. If you make one and it causes your checks to burst into flames, it is your problem.

This project is probably just a big waste of duct tape. I do not know if the post office will even accept duct tape envelopes. So let’s begin!

I have shown two standard sizes of envelope: the smaller 3 5/8″ x 6 1/2″ size and the larger 4 1/8″ x 9 3/8″ office size. The smaller evelope uses about 3 yards of duct tape and the larger uses about 4 yards.

Hint: The really thin utility grade duct tape works well here.

1. Make a sheet (read my post about how to make duct tape sheets) 6 1/2″ by 9 3/4″ for the smaller size and 9 3/8″ by 10 7/8″ for the larger size.
2. Trim as shown in the diagram below. The bottom cuts are not really necessary if you are in a hurry, but make it look more like an old fashion paper envelope and cut down on the bulk.
3. Fold on the lines shown in the diagram.
4. Tape the two sides shut.

What if you need a different sized envelope? Just wing the proportions!

• The flap is about half the height of the final envelope plus a bit.
• The height for the cut at the bottom is just the flap height minus a bit so that the flap overlaps.
• The indents are a slightly larger bit.
• In this case the a bit is about 1/2″.
• The 1/2″ at the top just “looked right”. Leave it out if you want.

This wallet design has one large opening for your money (assuming you have some) and four open slots for credit cards and other stuff. I find this makes a slim, yet useful wallet. It works very well with dress clothes. Hint: Make it in black to match your tux!

I have another wallet that replaces two of the credit card slots with a coin pocket.

This wallet requires about 4 yards of duct tape and can be made in about 1 hour.

Instructions

1. Create a sheet (read my post about how to make duct tape sheets) 6 ½” by 6 ¼” for the four credit card slots.

   In the accompanying image, it is assumed that the top and bottom edges are the good edges (read my post about good edges). It is very important that each slot have a good edge on the 3 ¼” side. Cut any extra length from the middle as shown.

2. Make a sheet 9″ by 6 ¾”. It is important that the sheet have two good edges. If the sheet looks like it will be too long, cut the sheet to the correct length before putting on the last piece of tape and folding over.
3. Fold the sheet so that the front is 1/8″ lower than the back.
4. Take the larger of the two credit card pieces and place them on the wallet as shown. Make sure the good edges are towards the middle. Tape them along the upper edge. I use a half width of duct tape for this.
5. Take the remaining two credit card pieces and place them on the wallet as shown. Make sure the good edges are towards the middle. Tape them along the upper edge. Again, I use a half width of duct tape for this.
6. Tape the two sides of the wallet.
7. Fold a big piece of tape along the bottom of the wallet. Make sure you leave room to put a credit card in the slots

Here is a good little case for keeping your playing cards togeather. It is a little harder than the coasters, but still easy.

Requirements: approx 2 3/4 yards of duct tape, a velcro dot, and a deck of cards.

The actual size of the case is about 2 5/8″ (7cm) wide by 3 5/8″ (9cm) high by 5/8″ (2cm) thick. This will fit a normal sized deck of cards. For a larger or smaller deck, just measure it. Preferably use an older deck. Add a wee bit for overlap and you are ready to go.

1. Create a 5 1/8″ x 3 5/8″ front sheet. (Check my post on how to make duct tape sheets)
2. Fold the sheet as shown below.
3. 
4. Create a 2 5/8″ x 7 1/4″ back sheet. You can create a 7 1/4″ x 2 5/8″ sheet, but I do not think it looks as good. Your call.
5. Fold the sheet as shown below.
6. 
7. Place the deck of cards on the portion labeled “back”. Having the cards in place makes it easier to tape.
8. Tape the overlaps from the front sheet to the back of the back sheet. I wish I had a digital camera about now.
9. Tape the overlap from the back sheet to the front of the front sheet.
10. Fold over the flap and add the velcro dot to close it.
11. I like to put a half width piece of duct tape over the top of the back to close off the edges. This will make more sense when you actually see the project. I hope!

Tip: My ruler is 1 1/4″ wide. For the folds, I use the ruler to get a nice clean 1 1/4″ fold (5/8″ x 2) and then fold that in half.

I am very proud of this project: it is simple, yet useful. The finished coaster can be used to add class to any occasion. They also make great gifts.

This project is great for colored duct tape. Choose a color that matches the room. Note: Black matches everything. I hope …

I usually make the base in good ole’ silver and just do the top coat in color. Not only is the silver duct tape cheaper, but, since I get the colored duct tape in 10 yard rolls, it saves me a trip to the store. You are allowed to do the entire coaster in color if you must.

1. For one coaster, create a 4″ x 4″ (10cm x 10cm) sheet of duct tape (read our post on how to make a duct tape sheet). I usually create an 8″ x 8″ (20cm x 20cm) sheet and cut it in four. Unless you like to drink alone, one coaster won’t do. Do not trim the sheet yet.
2. Turn the sheet 90° and add a reinforcing layer of duct tape. The tape does not have to overlap. Turn the sheet back to its original position.
3. Trim the coaster(s) to 4″ x 4″. The edges of this sheet will be covered by the top layer. I like to trim all the edges to get it good and square.
4. Now for the top layer. Use colour here if you want. Add two pieces of duct tape with about a 1/2″ (15mm) overlap over the top and bottom of the 4″ x 4″ sheet.
5. Put a piece of duct tape over the middle and cut the corners out as shown.
6. Grip, Rip and Flip. Fold over the overlap.
7. Find something with about a 1″ (25mm) diameter circle. Use it to round the corners. I use a boring non-duct tape coaster. If you use something thick, you can glide the knife along without cutting into the template.
8. For extra class on coloured coasters: Get a marker the same colour as the duct tape and cover up the white from the cuts in the corners.
9. Invite the Queen to tea and show off your coasters!

The bookmark has to be one of the easiest projects ever! You can make it any length you want. Normally you make them about 7 ½’’

Even try to make a bookmark out of different types of duct tape to get a different texture or thickness.

1. Make a sheet out of three strips of duct tape. Do not trim yet.  (Check out my blog post about how to make a sheet.)
2. Add a new piece of tape down the length of the bookmark. This will thicken the bookmark and make it less flimsy.
3. Trim the bookmark to size.
4. Claim you need a beer after all that hard work!

So I am guessing you continue to read this site because you are wanting to become a duct tape master, guru, or just want to be the best of the best. 

I used to use duct tape just like everybody else. Ok, maybe a wee bit more than everybody else, but still just to fix things. Then I was given a copy of Ductigami: The Art of the Tape by Joe Wilson. You should buy/borrow/steal this book. I will not duplicate the projects in the book here.

A note about measurements: I use imperial for my projects. I have converted to metric. I would be interested in any conversion errors. I am behind metric every inch of the way!

“You want to make it two inches – or, if you’re working in centimeters, make sure it’s enough centimeters for two inches.” – Red Green

Before you can create any of these projects, you must know how to create a “sheet”.

9 Steps to a Sheet of Duct Tape

1. Cut a strip of tape slightly longer than the width of the sheet and place it on the cutting board sticky side up.
2. Cut another strip of tape and place it sticky side down half way on the first strip.
3. Fold the sticky side over the silver side.
4. “Grip, Rip and Flip”: Rip the duct tape off the cutting board and flip over.
5. Add a third strip sticky side down to overlap the sticky side of the first two strips.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have the length of sheet that you want.
7. Grip, Rip and Flip.
8. Fold over the last strip of tape for a clean finish.
9. Trim the sheet to size if necessary.

Good Edges

In some of the projects I will mention good edges. These are the edges that have been folded over. In other words, the edges that have not been cut.

Usually they are the top and bottom edges when making a sheet.