Cuff-link Storage Box
Cuff-links are small pieces with irregular shapes which is hard to store. I used to store them in a jar, but it takes time to find a pair. To make it all facing up and position in pairs, I made this storage box.
Find a Suitable Box
Meaning of "suitable" may varies personally. More items to store, the larger box you need.
A box of a minimum height of 40mm is suggested for enough room to store up the cuff-links.
My box is originally a package box of green bean puddings from Taiwan (all eaten XD). It has a size of 210mm x 155mm x 45mm can store up to 35 pairs of cuff-links.
A box of a minimum height of 40mm is suggested for enough room to store up the cuff-links.
My box is originally a package box of green bean puddings from Taiwan (all eaten XD). It has a size of 210mm x 155mm x 45mm can store up to 35 pairs of cuff-links.
The Panel Materials
The packing comes with a supporting card board which is of the same material as the box cover and body. This is used to create the panel with holes to hold the legs of the cuff-links. So all the cuff-links can rest on the panel, facing up and smiling to me. : )
If your box does not have a extra part to make use of, find another piece of paper that match the style of the box (not necessary to be the same colour) to make the panel.
If your box does not have a extra part to make use of, find another piece of paper that match the style of the box (not necessary to be the same colour) to make the panel.
​Measure the Cufflinks
Measure the cuff-links. I found most of them has a tail of 20-25mm long and 4-5mm in diameter with a front plate of 15-20mm.
In order to cater for different sizes of cuff-links, the holes are actually horizontal slots. So, even the cuff-link is slightly larger, the cuff-link can still rest on top of the slot holes in pairs.
Therefore, the hole layout on the panel is determined as 25mm in length and 5mm in width.
In order to cater for different sizes of cuff-links, the holes are actually horizontal slots. So, even the cuff-link is slightly larger, the cuff-link can still rest on top of the slot holes in pairs.
Therefore, the hole layout on the panel is determined as 25mm in length and 5mm in width.
The Slot Holes
Slot holes are round in both ends, this is to prevent weak points of rectangular ends at corners that may break after a using a period of time.
Slot holes can be created by punching round holes in both end first and then use a cutter to join the holes into a slot.
To punch the holes, the easiest way is make use of a punch with round blade at tip. However, I don't have one. Instead, pincers are used. I fix the position of pincers with some blue-tack and then hit it by a hammer with a little force. It should give the same result as using the punch.
Slot holes can be created by punching round holes in both end first and then use a cutter to join the holes into a slot.
To punch the holes, the easiest way is make use of a punch with round blade at tip. However, I don't have one. Instead, pincers are used. I fix the position of pincers with some blue-tack and then hit it by a hammer with a little force. It should give the same result as using the punch.
Centre Supporting
As the cuff-links are made of metals, the panel, which is just a piece of cardboard, is too weak to hold up 35 pairs of cuff-links. A centre supporting is added between the panel and the bottom of the box. I just grab a biscuit box and cut a part to form the supporting.
Finishing
Assemble the panel on the top of the bottom of box and fix it with glue. The panel should keep a distance of 25-30mm apart from the bottom of box. Otherwise the tail of the cuff-links would touch the bottom and cannot rest well on the panel.