Mini RCA Record Player

I had so much fun making this little record player. It would be a great band or music teachers gift. I am sure anyone would love this. I wished I had more floppy disks! I would make another one and dress it up with beads and make it even more realistic. This little record  player was made from office supplies for the Office Supply Contest. Follow through and I will show you how easy it was to make.

8 Floppy Disks.
3 Black paper clips. 
1 RCA logo print out.
Print out for the lid and inside cover optional
1 Cardboard for a work surface.
 

Printer
Camera
Computer
Scissors
Glue G and glue, the tiny one works best
Tweezers are helpful
Needle nose pliers
Flat sharp tool to pry the floppy disk apart
 

Take apart 2 of the floppy disks. 

 

You will use:

8 Black pegs.
One side of the floppy plastic that has the round bump.
One black tab.
One round black film disk with center metal piece.

I took a picture of the RCA logo here: http://www.goodlogo.com/extended.info/2544 
Printed it out and cut it out into the shape that I wanted. 
For the inside of the record player and the outside I printed from this link: http://www.zazzle.com/musical_timing_poster-228856842836436509 and Here: 

http://www.zazzle.com/music_from_the_heart_print_poster-228908046246110655

http://www.zazzle.com/piano_keys_and_gold_music_notes_golden_stickers-217200267009260222

 

Find the best view of the floppy disks and use all of them in the same direction throughout the rest of the steps.
There will be a back side and a front side. 
Glue the black pegs to the bottom of one of the floppy disks, let it cool slightly or it will melt the plastic. 
These will be the feet for the record player.
 

Glue each disk on top of the base of the record player alternating the colors.
You will use 5 full disk for the box and 1/2 disk for the record platform, this piece should have the bump. 
Glue the dog onto the center of the 1/2 disk.


 

Cut the black tab to form a pocket to set the lid into as shown.
Glue it to the top back section of the record player as shown.
Glue the lid design on it if you like it. If you choose to make one of these with the lid that will open and close I would glue the design on it different than I did to make it realistic. I chose to do it this way so the design would not be seen upside down. I am referring to the heart shape on the back.

Straighten the black paper clip and trim off the vinyl about 1/4" on one end and strip the wire to make the needle.
Bend the end slightly to shape the needle.

 

Glue 1 of the black pegs for the record player arm to set on in the right rear of the player.
Glue the remaining 3 black pegs at each remaining corners. These will just be for looks. 

Bend one paper clip into a knob for turning on and off the record player. 
Bend one in the shape of a emblem as shown. 
Glue the paper shapes to the front of the record player.
Glue the RCA logo on.
Place the record on the player.
You will need an extra set of hands for this part.
You will need to glue the handle to the back right corner and the second person will hold it so the needle is on the record player as if it is playing.
Glue the handle to the back right corner of the record player. 

 

This record player was made for the lid to stay open as shown. I am sure a person could add some strips to the top section to complete the player so the lid would open and close and add some hinges. Oh I can just see it! So adorable! When I get an opportunity I am going to buy a small music box and add it to this little record player. I will also be making more of these for holiday gifts if I can collect more floppy disks. I hope this has inspired you to make one for yourself. 

In closing I would like to thank our instructables company, sponsors, authors, readers, and members; for making this community a great success! Many hours and hard work has been put into making this place the best DIY on the Internet. Have fun and thanks for stopping by!

Sunshiine