Rubberband Hinged Box

If you do not like anecdotes, please feel free to skip the first paragraph, there is nothing of importance regarding the actual construction of the box.

The Story:

So, this idea came around because I have been needing small boxes on several occasions, always different size, and always on such a short notice that I haven't got time to wait for any special materials (usually different sorts of brass hinges) I usually end up dropping the project all together, and doing something else instead.

Just before Christmas I needed a small box again. This time, the occasion was, that a friend of mine playing the Oboe told me, that the prize of a box for containing the reeds where around 45 -75 dollars. I thought that I would like a share of that market, but I needed to make some prototypes, and they needed to have a working hinges.

I figured that rubber band had all the qualities to make a great hinge, but i couldn't figure out how to fix 'em since I didn't want to cut or glue them but use whole rubber bands.

Seeing how they will eventually break, I also needed them to be replaceable. I got somewhat inspired by this post; KarateKidClipboard and figured the rest out in a couple of nights in my sofa with a block of squared paper and a couple of beers. The actual prototyping happened at the #CopenhagenFablab in Denmark, over a couple of hours.

Tldr: I designed a lasercut box, hinged and assembled with commend household items.

The Design Manifest:

Keep It Simple Stupid aka KISS.

• Easy on the eyes,
• Easy to make,
• Easy to use,
• Easy to fix

"Please notice the rubber-band-holes in the sides are cut out through the back of the box so that it will stay open and even half open, instead of the rubber bands just trying to close the box all the time. This is the part where I really felt like I had figured something out!"

Tools and materials:

Tools:

Lazercutter

• Clamps (i used an old ironpot to keep with the design manifest)
• Knife

Materials:

• MDF/Acryl/Cardboard/Whatever you want
• Rubber Band (2)
• Glue (I used a gluestick, again, the design manifest)
• Toothpicks, round (4-8)

Software:

• Inkscape

• If you want a deeper box, just cut extra sides.
• If you want to change the size of the box, just change the length of the straight line making up the front/back or the sides.
• If you scale it,
  • Make sure that the corner holes for the toothpicks are 2mm,
  • And make sure that the rubber band holes are at least 3mm. Else way you will either have to much hole for your toothpick or to little for the rubber (pun intended)

If you use the toothpicks to hold it in place, nothing can go wrong while the glue hardens (KISS!)

• Cut of the pieces of toothpick that is sticking out, with the knife
• Clamp the entire thing down in one big pile, with what ever clamp you got. Clamps work fine, but so does an old iron pot, or a pile of books, or an old ultimaker2 3d printer if you have one laying around.
• Now is the time to contemplate whether you glued the top and bottom halves together or not! If you did, remove whatever holds it down and give it a tap with a hammer at the end of the box to get the glue to let go.
• After 20 min. the glue is hardend enough.

• Remove the clamping.
• Put the rubber bands through the holes and hook them on the Cleat (I learned a new word and so can you).
• When you have done so, with both rubber bands, on both sides, you should be finished.
• To lock the box, simply take the rubber band from one cleat and attach it on the other side of the front.
• WELL DONE YOU.

If you liked this instructable, the story or the idea, please vote for me in the "make a box contest."

Extra notes:

• If you change the set-up please be aware, that I removed whatever lines that was double in the file with all four parts joined together, to save time on the lasercutter.
• If you would like to linen the bottom just cut a piece of fabric, either on the lazercutter og with the knife using the pieces that you cut out, when you cut the sides, and glue it on.
• If you want to change the size of the box please be aware of the size of the small holes, the toothpicks need 2mm. holes and the rubber band probably want make it through less than 3mm.
• If you want any kind of grid in the box (like a pillbox) just draw it up in the inner circle of the sides template.
• If you want to you can engrave something on the top and bottom