Computer Cufflinks

I have a few (literally 1 or 2) shirts that require cufflinks but I want some with a bit of personality. So, to satisfy that need as well as reusing as much of a laptop/pc as possible I created some PC themed cufflinks

In this tutorial, you will be guided through how to create the cufflinks from the keyboard, circuit board, Solid state drive, USB ports, RAM etc. Making the most of dead electronic waste for when the board really has no option to be thrown out.

Hopefully this inspires people out there to think about other jewellery from PC parts. E.g. earrings, pendants, rings etc are all possible.

For Keyboard Keys

• Old laptop keyboard
• 2 Part epoxy glue
• Cufflink blanks for example

For CPU

• Old laptop or PC with removeable CPU
• Cufflink blanks
• 2 Part epoxy glue
• UV curative resin for example - choose a transparent colour

For Circuit Board, RAM, SSD, USB

• Old laptop circuit board
• Cufflink blanks
• 2 Part epoxy glue
• Dremel with cutting disk or Coping saw
• Sand paper
• Dust mask

At my workplace, we are provided laptops. After 3 years, the laptops are written off due to depreciation.

1. Make friends with the IT department
2. See if they have some old laptops you could dismantle
3. Collect them and hide the parts away

Note, there are other projects you can do with the sticks or ram, batteries, screens etc.

Ram Stick clock - click here

Hard Drive Clock - click here

We used laptop keyboards as they have a lower profile than that some desktop PC keyboards

1. Carefully pry off the keys from the keyboard (they might be initials of the individual or entertaining ones like 'break' or 'end')
2. Selecting the keys of choice, turn them over so they are face down
3. Mix up the 2 part epoxy on a scrap piece of card
4. Carefully place enough epoxy to ensure the who silver disk of the cufflink blank is in contact with the key
5. Repeat for the second cufflink
6. Leave to cure

1. INSERT INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVAL FROM LAPTOP
2. Once the CPU is removed, you will need to clean off the thermal paste (the grey sticky stuff)
3. From here you have 2 choices, either coating the top of the CPU in resin or leaving it clean*

*Please note, if it is left clean, the CPU may catch on clothing. I have used the clean CPU but thought I would highlight this

1. To coat in resin, slowly add resin to the top of the CPU and tilt the CPU to cover the top in resin.
2. Carefully take the CPU outside into the sun and carefully expose it to the sun. Do not hold it there too long as the CPU will heat up and the resin will start to bubble
3. Once you have coated the CPU, like the keys, mix some 2 Part Epoxy and place it on the silver pad on the back.
4. Place the cufflink blank onto the silver pad and leave for the Epoxy to fully cure

1. Flip the laptop upside down and undo all the screws. Be aware each laptop is different and so accessing underneath will vary from model to model
2. Remove the bottom cover and locate the RAM, SSD
3. Release the RAM by levering the two arms on the sides of the arm. The SSD is often only held in with a single screw
4. Once the RAM and SSD are removed, use a Dremel to cut out the shape of the piece you would like. WEAR A DUST MASK!!!
5. Tidy up and final shaping of the pieces
6. Mix up some 2 part epoxy, carefully gluing down the silver legs (with a small and unnoticeable amount)
7. Using the epoxy to also glue a cufflink blank onto the back

1. To remove the PCB in it's entirety is probably the most challenging part of this instructable
2. You will need to remove the back cover and then slowly remove the screws that are visible.
3. Some laptop models require the removal of the keyboard to access some of the screws
4. Once the PCB is removed this gives you access to select the locations that are visually interesting as well as remove the USB sockets. Ideally finding it in duplicate
5. Once you have selected the parts of the PCB to use, carefully draw 2 squares that look aesthetically pleasing (try to avoid having to cut through any components
6. Cut out the 2 squares
7. Sand and clean up the edges of the boards and refine so their shapes match each other
8. Once the board is cleaned up, you may or may not choose to coat the top in resin. If so, using an old paint brush, paint on a coat of Resin and then take it outside and cure in the sun light
9. Repeat step 5 until you have enough of a coating to smooth it out
10. Mix up some 2 part epoxy, carefully gluing down the silver legs (with a small and unnoticeable amount)
11. Using the epoxy to also glue a cufflink blank onto the back