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Magic Duct Tape Wallet

by Doctor What on November 11, 2007

Table of Contents

intro: Magic Duct Tape Wallet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Crap You Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 2: Cut Your Cardboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3: Cover Cardboard With Duct Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 4: Create Straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 5: Attach Straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 6: Attach Straps Part Deux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

step 7: Check Your Wallet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

step 8: Add Pockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

step 9: Hooray!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
intro: Magic Duct Tape Wallet
It's a magic wallet, made out of duct tape. The magic wallet has been done before, but I decided to make one, dirt cheap. This should last a while, and if it gets
destroyed, just take another fifteen minutes and make another one.

The story behind it...

Well, I was watching QVC, and I saw that they were selling "magic wallets" for 20 dollars for a set of two. I thought, OMG, who in their right mind would pay that much for
something that they can make with stuff around their house?? So, I decided to make one, on the cheap, with stuff in my bedroom. And I came up with this.

There is a magic wallet instructable out there already, and it is good, if you know how to sew.

If you like my Instructable, rate it please!!

Image Notes
1. Yes, it's pink.
2. open wallet again.

step 1: Crap You Need

Don't need much, you need:
-Duct Tape (for colors, go to Wal-Mart, they have every color imaginable)
-Stiff Cardboard (I used an old Converse shoebox)
-Scissors
-Pen
-Altoid tin (trace this for wallet shape)
- You don't need an altoid box specifically, you could use a playing card, or anything wallet shaped that will fit cards into it.

Image Notes
1. duct tape
2. pattern
3. scissors
4. pen
5. cardboard

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
step 2: Cut Your Cardboard
You need to trace the Altoid tin (the top, it's bigger), onto cardboard twice, then cut it out.

Image Notes
1. once
2. twice
3. hole

step 3: Cover Cardboard With Duct Tape

Cover each side of both pieces of cardboard with duct tape. Then trim the excess off of the sides.
Sure, the wallet is not 100 percent duct tape, but if you don't use cardboard, it will be flimsy, and not work so well.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 Image Notes
1. cover back, then trim around the edges. do for both pieces of cardboard.

step 4: Create Straps

Put two pieces of foot long duct tape on top of each other to create one big strap.
Then cut the big one in half, hotdog style.
Then take the two strips, and cut them both hotdog style again to get four straps.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. one piece of tape on top of another. 1. cut it in two
2. not my hand, my mom's

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 Image Notes
1. then in four.

step 5: Attach Straps

You need to take two strips and attach them horizontally on one of the "cards". If you are using an Altoid tin, put them between one and two centimeters from the top and
bottom. then secure with a piece of tape. If you are not using an Altoid tin, make sure that a dollar bill's height is longer than the space inbetween the straps.

Then, flip over the card so that the straps are on the left, under the card. As in picture three.

Next, fold the straps over the card, so that they go right. As in picture four.

Place the other card on top, so that the straps are sandwiched between the two cards. Then trim the straps so that they are one to two centimeters away from the edge.

Last, use a piece of tape to attach the strap ends to the back of the card on top.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. 1-2 centimeters. 1. straps are sandwiched between

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. make sure a dollar bill's height is longer than the space in between the straps. 1. under card, on left.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. going right again. 1. sandwiched, and cut to about one centimeter.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. taped to the card. 1. when unfolded, it should look like this.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
step 6: Attach Straps Part Deux
Now you need to attach the two other straps.

Open the two cards and put the straps on the bottom card, in X formation. The two ends on the left need to go through the straps, as in picture one. Then place the top
card on the bottom card again.

Trim the ends so that the straps are, once again, one centimeter away from the edges.

Make sure that the x straps do not overlap the horizontal straps, and that they are inbetween the horizontal straps.

Then tape the ends to the back of the cards. For the right side, tape the ends to the back card. For the left side, tape the ends to the front.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. X straps between horizontal straps. 1. trim to one or two centimeters.
2. make sure they are between the horizontal straps, and they are not overlapping.

Image Notes
1. tape to the cards

step 7: Check Your Wallet

Get a dollar, and open up your wallet, and put it in, and close the wallet.

Then open it from the other side.

Then close it, and open it again from the side you started with.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. get a dollar, and fold it up. 1. open wallet

Image Notes Image Notes

1. place dollar in wallet 1. close wallet

Image Notes Image Notes

1. open wallet from other side. 1. close wallet

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 Image Notes
1. Yes, it's pink.
2. open wallet again.

step 8: Add Pockets

If you want pockets for your ID, credit card, etc. you need to put about three inches of tape sticky side up on your wallet. then put another three inch strip on top of it, also
sticky side up, so that you have a wide piece of tape. make sure it is wider than your card. then put some tape face down on it to cover the sticky stuff, and you have a
pocket.

You can make as many pockets as you want, on the front and on the back.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. three inches, sticky side up. 1. another three inch piece, wide enough to fit a card.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. tape it down. 1. tape it again.
2. card

step 9: Hooray!!
You've now completed your geek wallet. Rejoice!!

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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 215 comments

kimiharu says: Jan 31, 2009. 2:59 PM REPLY

this is awesome I love the calculators like this

Doctor What says: Feb 2, 2009. 7:36 PM REPLY

Wait, calculators?

kimiharu says: Feb 2, 2009. 8:28 PM REPLY

yeah they have calculators that flip and reverse just like this

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 9v0lt11 says: Dec 30, 2008. 4:27 PM REPLY
Can you use painters tape instead of duct tape?

danasmana says: Jan 30, 2009. 6:33 PM REPLY

I don't see why not

chuckx11 says: Feb 1, 2009. 1:37 AM REPLY

probably not, since painters tape is designed to rip easily and come unstuck without damage, so it wouldn't be durable enough.

foxtrot4697 says: Jan 24, 2009. 2:37 PM REPLY

once, twice, hole!!!

Looking_for_instructions says: Jan 23, 2009. 10:41 AM REPLY

This part is a bit tricky for me: Where exactly do you tape the "sticky side down" tape (phote number 3 in step 8)? I mean, I can't just fold it around the front,
for then I obstruct the lints... I've been taping these pockets with little parts of duckttape now, to keep the "magic lints" free to move.
I realise I'm no good explainer, but the point is that if you put pockets on them with a piece of tape "wider than your card" you have to watch out not to "tape
around to the other side" in such a way that your lints are stuck.

Ow blast.. I can't explain it :S Erm... what about a picture that shows the inside of the wallet when a pocket is taped on? So I can see how this overlaps on
the inside (for on the outside is no place to make the pocket stick..

the dude123 says: Jan 22, 2009. 4:49 PM REPLY

that thing blos all the others away

tech wiz says: Jan 21, 2009. 8:57 AM REPLY

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9v0lt11 says: Jan 4, 2009. 5:04 PM REPLY

oh oh oh its magic!

austintktktk says: Jan 17, 2009. 11:03 AM REPLY

You Know-oh-oh lol i love that song

VRS says: Jan 17, 2009. 9:32 PM REPLY

Never believe, it's not so!!!

To think I was actually going to buy one of these things

I'm making one tonight!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 austintktktk says: Jan 18, 2009. 7:58 PM REPLY
It's Magic!
haha thats funny i just finished mine when i read ur comment lol

trulylaura says: Jan 17, 2009. 10:01 PM REPLY

Thanks - I got bored, and even though I thought magic wallets were useless, it was fun to make. The only mistakes were mine - and when I looked at your
instructions closer, i found the right way.

baken411 says: Jan 16, 2009. 2:39 PM REPLY

OMG
i've always wanted one of these since i saw it on tv however long ago, going to find duct tape now
5 stars

atomicturkey27 says: Jan 15, 2009. 4:42 PM REPLY

i love this. very well written, and very cool! i just finished making one and love it! 5 stars

thenerd says: Jan 15, 2009. 3:32 PM REPLY

This type of wallet has several other names that it is called by. These include the milk mans wallet and the jacobs ladder wallet. I can guess that its called the
Jacobs ladder wallet due to the mechanics and operation been similar to a jacobs ladder but I'm yet to find out why it is also refered to as the milk mans
wallet. if anyone knows or has an idea let me know.

By the way great instructable i spend hours trying to work out how to make one however eventually i did :-) wish i had read this guide first. May i suggest you
make a full size one, i find them more useful cause you don't have to fold the bill and it keeps them nice and flat.

nightninja87 says: Jan 13, 2009. 2:59 AM REPLY

very nice i seen awebsite that has that for 45 dollars!

totallytape says: Jan 7, 2009. 8:23 PM REPLY

Very cool. You really CAN make anything out of Duck Tape. Have an iPod? Try making an iPod case. I give free instructions off my site complete with
pictures. Check it out! http://totallytape.com

minime12358 says: Jan 2, 2009. 9:43 AM REPLY

I am a little confused with step 5... Dont see what it is saying

minime12358 says: Jan 2, 2009. 9:48 AM REPLY

nm

minime12358 says: Jan 2, 2009. 8:58 AM REPLY

I think all of the duct tape wallets are great ideas, but this is a really good idea to do. I would suggest one thing: I think it is easier to print a design off the
internet (For the lazy.) I doctored this: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31DVJ6B0Y0L._SL500_AA280_.jpg
After I make this, I am pretty sure it will be 5 stars

caeleybug1 says: Jun 8, 2008. 7:48 PM REPLY

What's so magic about It????????????????? I don't see the purpose of buying supplies at the same expense of just buying a wallet or bill fold or change
purse!!!!

Doctor What says: Jun 8, 2008. 7:56 PM REPLY

It's a magic wallet, they've been around since like the eighties. Google it.

And it's like two dollars for a roll of duct tape. Duct tape is a very, very, well known and loved resource. I made one out of duct tape because I love duct
tape. And men don't carry change purses.

waterdonkey234 says: Jun 15, 2008. 6:51 PM REPLY

but they carry pink wallets?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 Doctor What says: Jun 15, 2008. 8:33 PM REPLY
Of course! Only the menliest of men carry pink wallets. Pink wallets say, "Hey ladies, I've got a pocket protector and a pencil case."

gizmo_ult says: Jun 28, 2008. 3:55 PM REPLY

but pink is a chick color and only dumb guys think that

kibbler says: Dec 28, 2008. 4:05 PM REPLY

Sure they do. Hey, why is your wallet pink? *snicker*

peepla says: Dec 4, 2008. 5:44 PM REPLY

excuse me...but i know guys that wear pink and arent a bit 'odd'. think breast awareness, think co-survivor, think support for someone you
love... think, I'll let them see me with something pink. my mom is a breast cancer survior. I am a thyroid cancer survivor, (purple butterfly is
the symbol for that) and my 6'4, 230 pound son wears or carrys something pink and purple everyday to honor us...its usually something
no one would see...that only we know its there. but you cant imagine how it feels when someone dont have the words but they make that
gesture. so dont knock a guy if the guy has something pink. 'aight!

data23 says: Nov 24, 2008. 6:30 PM REPLY

pretty sure he's bein sarcastic
{if im wrong, dont shoot me ;)}

kenny94 says: Jul 13, 2008. 8:29 PM REPLY

exactly. black is best

kibbler says: Nov 22, 2008. 7:45 PM REPLY

Finally! Someone who understands! Though pink is pimped. ;)

foxtrot4697 says: Dec 19, 2008. 6:55 PM REPLY

boom-shacka pink and black! i downloaded that theme for limewire on the site

jakezcop says: Jul 23, 2008. 9:42 AM REPLY

i beg to differ... just buy all the different collors of duct tape and make a ranebow wallet... then... then... nvm...

sxe-monty says: Sep 28, 2008. 9:50 AM REPLY

The origanal sivler is by far the best color

lolcat360 says: Nov 16, 2008. 2:50 PM REPLY

Exactly what I think

jakezcop says: Sep 29, 2008. 1:03 PM REPLY

yeh i guess ur right it is...

hermionegranger says: Dec 21, 2008. 10:53 AM REPLY

this is awesome!! I'm going to make one right when I get some duct tape...and I don't even carry money or cards!! It's just a little bit confusing though but I
can figure it out. Now if only I can find my library card to put in it...

johnjohn4222 says: Dec 19, 2008. 9:47 PM REPLY

Just made a blue one!! Thanks!!

dany man148 says: Dec 18, 2008. 7:28 AM REPLY

yay!!!!now i can make a wallet i wated so badly in mexico!!1!:)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/
 peepla says: Dec 4, 2008. 5:31 PM REPLY
OMG this is so freaking brilliant! didnt know there was pink duct tape, i have been paint the gray tape. hahaha hey im a girly girl who loves her pink, but grew
up around "I'll fix it, get me the duct tape" type of folks...and now I'm that type of folk. I always have duct tape here...thinking "hmmn cool xmas present or
what!" I love your instructable.

Doctor What says: Dec 4, 2008. 5:46 PM REPLY

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!

etdog252 says: Nov 10, 2008. 4:38 AM REPLY

wow thx this is the best wallet i've seen and it was so easy to make congrats on the great tutorial

RawrTia says: Oct 10, 2008. 8:09 PM REPLY

OK I made it and I am amazed on how awesome it is!! so glad you made this tutorial!! :)

SylverX says: Oct 3, 2008. 6:31 AM REPLY

Nicely done! I just finished making one and boy is it cool!

tubbychick3n says: Aug 21, 2008. 3:31 AM REPLY

i think you deserve to know that someone stole your instructables with almost the exact same link as yours: http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-
Tape-Wallet_1/

smashbob says: Sep 24, 2008. 6:30 PM REPLY

you need to calm down!!!!! not everbody is going to know that there is another i'ble like theirs. i actually don't think many people would mind.

tubbychick3n says: Sep 24, 2008. 6:49 PM REPLY

but, if somebody does somebody else's 'ible again, they do a worse job, and then they claim they came up with their idea by themself, i don't think
they should be allowed to keep it posted.

Doctor What says: Aug 21, 2008. 6:29 PM REPLY

Yeah, I've seen it, if you look in the comments page, I made a remark. Two letters.

view all 215 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Duct-Tape-Wallet/