MacGyver Challenge: Cassette Tapes
Posted by ReadyMade
Project by Jeff McClure
Make cassette tape coat hooks.
“Like most people, I love music. I have switched over to CDs and MP3 files, but I can’t bring myself to throw any of my old cassette tapes into the trash. I love their classic, iconic look, and I made these hooks to reuse a few of the tapes as a place to hang my hat.” —Jeff McClure
Skill Level
Easy
Active Time
Half a day
Cost
$
- 4 cassette tapes of the same color
- 5×11-inch piece (approximately) of routered wood (available at Hobby Lobby and Michaels)
- Flat or semigloss paint or stain (optional) Picture-hanging kit (containing sawtooth hooks and picture-hanging hooks)
- Tube of high-strength two-part epoxy(suitable for gluing plastics; I like Loctite’s Plastic Epoxy)
- 4¾-inch wood screws with ½-inch countersink heads
Materials
- Drill and bit that corresponds with the screws
- Fine-tooth saw
Tools
Place two of the cassette tapes flat against the board and mark through the center holes where you want to mount them. Predrill pilot holes for the screws, then paint or stain the wood, if desired. Tack two sawtooth hooks from the picture-hanging kit to the back of the board. Set wood aside.
Carefully take one of the hook cassettes apart. Remove the magnetic tape and metal pressure plate. If using a clear cassette, remove the thin black lining and save it for later.
Reassemble the cassette.
The edges of the hook cassette won’t fit snugly when attached to the backing cassette at a right angle, so remove ⅝ inch from one end of your hook cassette with a fine-tooth saw. Set it perpendicular to the broad side of the backing cassette. Cut a notch 1/32 inch deep and ¼ inch long along the already-sawed area so that it will fit over the hump of the backing cassette.
From the intact side of the hook cassette, use a fine-tooth saw to cut ¼ inch from the edge, and slice toward outside edge of the tape pulley hole. Cut another slice down from the top toward the pulley hole (start about 1⅜ inch from the edge of the cassette). These cuts form a triangle wedge that you’ll remove to reveal a hook shape. If using clear cassettes, cut the black liner (referred to in Step 2) to shape, and reinsert it into the now hook-shape cassette.
Using the epoxy, affix the flat edge of the hook to the center of a backing cassette.
Repeat Steps 2 through 6 to form another hook.
Use the epoxy to glue your hooks to the wooden board. Secure each hook assembly to the board using the wood screws through the tape pulley holes and into the predrilled pilot holes.
Wait for the epoxy to cure (check the package for specific timing). Mount the finished project on the wall.
Note: This hanger is best used for items that weigh less than 10 pounds.
Variations: For a flush mount, you can use a keyhole cutter in a router for hanging.
Secure small coat hooks into a wall through a cassette (so the cassette is against wall) to simplify.
