Bluetooth Speaker Scooter Holster

I won a bluetooth speaker in a contest this summer (thanks Instructables!) and decided I needed some tunes on my scooter. I thought I'd make a case for it similar to an old 50's transistor radio.

bluetooth speaker - I used this one, but the design is applicable to any speaker that is remotely square.

leather

sheet of newspaper

ruler

box cutter

scissors

snaps (4)

lanyard clasps (4)

D rings (2)

large jump rings (2)

eyelets/grommets (4) and application tools

pen

Trace your speaker onto the newsprint by starting with the top and ending with the top. Then, trace the sides and add a strip to each end.

Wrap the pattern around the speaker to make sure it fits. Cut two slits in the overlapping tops for the sides to fit through and do a rubbing of any buttons.

Use your box cutter to cut holes around the rubbings of the buttons.

I wanted to save some leather by cutting the sides separately (and the piece I had may not have been big enough anyway).

Lay your pattern on the back of the leather, trace it, and cut it out. For straight edges I usually use a ruler and box cutter and cut round edges with scissors.

Rivet the sides onto the body. When I made these, I was out of small rivets and needed to add a bit of thicker leather to the corners so the rivets would fit. It's also quite stylish and will protect, at least, the bottom corners if I drop it.

Find something circular to trace that is similar in size to the front of the speakers. I used my mallet.

Use your ruler to mark the placement of your holes.

Use a leather punch to add holes and use a lighter to gently burnish the back. This gets rid of all the little fuzzy bits and makes it more clean cut. You could also take this time to burnish all the edges.

Add snaps to the flaps for the D rings. This way, you can put the flap through the slit and then add the D ring.

Add snaps to the sides of the overlapping top pieces.

Snap the body around the speaker, thread the flaps through the slits in the top, and snap the D rings on.

Use a piece of string or measuring tape to measure the appropriate length for your straps and cut two pieces of leather. Make sure they are wide enough to accommodate the size of your eyelets.

Add eyelets/grommets to each end.

Add jump rings to the eyelets. I used chain mail jump rings that are thicker and stronger than average.

Add the lanyard clasps.

Clip the straps to the D rings. Link the speaker to your phone via bluetooth, stash the phone in your saddlebags, and play!

Keep in mind any noise pollution restrictions in your area. I haven't had any issues with people or police. I turn it down when riding slowly through areas with pedestrians and you can always use headphones if you need to.