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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Neebio on Fri, 13 September 2013, 20:01:25

Title: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 13 September 2013, 20:01:25

So awhile ago I got this idea in my head that I was going to use my little hobby lathe as a milling machine and make myself a custom wooden case for my USB stick.  Turns out after doing a couple, I got pretty good at it, although I'm still experimenting with finishes, especially on the metal collars.  I don't really have many 'in progress' pictures to show, mostly cause I forgot to take some!  However, I know you guys like pictures, and I do have finished product pictures!  (excuse the pretty bad cellphone pics, I do my best with what I have)

My Daily Driver:
- Outsides: Cocobolo
- Middle: Tulipwood
[attach=1][attach=2]

Next two were going away gifts to friends:
- Outsides: Cocobolo
- Middle: Purple Heart
- Collar: Solid Brass
[attach=3][attach=4]
- Wood: Amboyna Burl
- Collar: Solid Brass
[attach=5][attach=6]

I just restocked my supply of USB sticks to cannibalize, so there will be more custom USB cases on the way soon...

Title: Re: Custom USB Memory Sticks
Post by: cactux on Fri, 13 September 2013, 20:18:09

What about a Ti version, waterproof, heavy duty, 

Title: Re: Custom USB Memory Sticks
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 13 September 2013, 20:35:28

I need a burlwood version!

Title: Re: Custom USB Memory Sticks
Post by: Photekq on Fri, 13 September 2013, 20:38:48

Looks great :) You've done an extremely nice job on them!

Title: Re: Custom USB Memory Sticks
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 13 September 2013, 21:04:35

Looks fantastic!

How about one with a built-in keycap puller? :)

Title: Re: Custom USB Memory Sticks
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sat, 14 September 2013, 00:11:18

OMG, that purpleheart one is amazing.

MMmm....purple.

Title: Re: Custom USB Memory Sticks
Post by: Neebio on Sat, 14 September 2013, 00:22:07

Quote from: jdcarpe on Fri, 13 September 2013, 20:35:28

I need a burlwood version!

Keep an eye out, I have more of the wood ;)

Title: Re: Custom USB Memory Sticks
Post by: Neebio on Thu, 19 September 2013, 22:24:36

New one to add to the family!

I was at a convention of the anime variety with some friends before school started back up, and there was a vendor there with an aquarium of random/reject dice.  I decided then that some dice USBs would be cool, so I got a grab box of (mostly) matching pairs of dice.

Here's the first dice USB to result from that!

[attach=1][attach=2][attach=3]

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: tricheboars on Fri, 20 September 2013, 11:24:31

these are so awesome. you should sell me one. PM me. i am serious.

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 20 September 2013, 11:29:18

Wow dude...those dice are really cool too :D

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Fri, 20 September 2013, 11:30:50

Wow, I really like the dice. Now you just need to make one with Legos!  :p

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 20 September 2013, 11:34:38

How I missed this thread I do not know. But these are awesome!

I second the lego comment!!

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:18:36

Thanks for the support guys!  I should have some more interesting ones coming out soon, if I find time away from work/school of course... 

Personally, I'm not sure if I'll do a LEGO one, mostly cause that's a pretty common thing. :p  If somebody really wanted one though, I suppose I could make it more of a priority... ;)

Quote from: tricheboars on Fri, 20 September 2013, 11:24:31

these are so awesome. you should sell me one. PM me. i am serious.

Sent.

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Tarzan on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:21:01

Oh, those dice ones are sweet?  How much for six or eight units?

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: TheFlyingRaccoon on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:24:26

Quote from: Neebio on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:18:36

Thanks for the support guys!  I should have some more interesting ones coming out soon, if I find time away from work/school of course... 

Personally, I'm not sure if I'll do a LEGO one, mostly cause that's a pretty common thing. :p  If somebody really wanted one though, I suppose I could make it more of a priority... ;)

No, you do great work. Do whatever you want! I can't wait to see what you come up with.  :thumb:

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Neebio on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:34:07

Quote from: Greystoke on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:21:01

Oh, those dice ones are sweet?  How much for six or eight units?

That might be difficult if you want them the same...  I got those dice from a grab-box of sorts at a convention, and I'd have to do some real hard looking to find more...  I have maybe three more pairs of the same design, but that's about it...  I do of course have other styles of dice that I intended on turning into USBs however. 

As for a price, I'm thinking about $30+shipping each.  This is based on the stock of USB sticks I currently have (8GB sticks), the relative rarity of the dice from my supply, overall material cost, and of course labor.  If I run out of USBs, dice, etc, costs will probably change appropriately.

I've never had to mail anything internationally, but these are quite small, so I don't expect it will be too expensive.

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Tarzan on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:42:00

Quote from: Neebio on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:34:07

Quote from: Greystoke on Fri, 20 September 2013, 12:21:01

Oh, those dice ones are sweet?  How much for six or eight units?

That might be difficult if you want them the same...  I got those dice from a grab-box of sorts at a convention, and I'd have to do some real hard looking to find more...  I have maybe three more pairs of the same design, but that's about it...  I do of course have other styles of dice that I intended on turning into USBs however. 

As for a price, I'm thinking about $30+shipping each.  This is based on the stock of USB sticks I currently have (8GB sticks), the relative rarity of the dice from my supply, overall material cost, and of course labor.  If I run out of USBs, dice, etc, costs will probably change appropriately.

I've never had to mail anything internationally, but these are quite small, so I don't expect it will be too expensive.

I'd be interested in a few sets as Christmas gifts for my gamer friends.  Random dice are fine, preference would be for unusual (i.e., not D6's) pairs, but I'm flexible.

PM incoming!

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 20 September 2013, 19:03:05

Quote from: TheFlyingRaccoon on Fri, 20 September 2013, 11:30:50

Wow, I really like the dice. Now you just need to make one with Legos!  :p

My first hardware mod was to put a 2Gb PNY flash drive into a lego brick, but I couldn't be bothered to do the "normal lego brick, so I put it into a "pirate chest" lego brick. You can open it up and see the drive inside. It turned out surprisingly well for a first attempt.

These are much better though.

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Neebio on Mon, 03 February 2014, 23:04:46

Hey all, so I've been busy with a combination of work and trying to finish up my university degree, but I have managed to find a bit of time for more USB fun.  Today I've got a material trial piece I put the finishing touches on recently.  This piece was basically a test run of using antler as a case material.  Turns out antler has a... unique... smell when you cut it or otherwise work it... I think it turned out great, and I know how you guys love pictures, so I'll get right to it!

Antler-Coco:  This 8GB Kingston USB features naturally fallen antler as a body with a thin brass collar, topped with a cocobolo wood cap finished with tung oil.
(And I know somebody is probably thinking it.  Sorry, this one is accounted for, so it won't be for sale)

Pictures: (Album (http://imgur.com/a/WHXxH))

More

(http://i.imgur.com/pxUuIiN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BEXzj85.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fUu5HJ7.jpg)

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Tarzan on Tue, 04 February 2014, 08:18:32

Just wanted to say that the dice USB keys I got from you were a big hit with my gaming crew!  The fit and finish were very detailed, I couldn't spot any flaws (and I checked carefully since these were going to be gifts!). 

Just a bit annoyed I didn't take any pictures, was in a hurry to get them in the mail before Christmas so I sent them off the same day I got them.  Very highly recommended!

By the way, that antler/cocobolo USB key looks amazing!  Very techno-pagan.   :thumb:  I hear you about the odor, my experiments with drilling holes in some antlers for wrist straps were abbreviated when I managed to stink up the whole house.  I use antlers for lithic technology, the consistency of the antlers is perfect for flint or obsidian knapping.

Title: Re: Neebio's USB Creations
Post by: Neebio on Tue, 04 February 2014, 11:42:53

Thanks, that's great to hear!  I'm glad they were well received.  I may have a picture or two of the group of them somewhere, but I didn't have access to a nice camera at the time so I don't recall taking very many pictures myself either..

I'll be sure to get good pictures of all my future creations, now that I have access to a nice camera :)