FlashDrives

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Jgrden

Jgrden

Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
6,287
Location
hOUSTON, Texas
Has anyone built pens incorporating the flash drive in the top? What is the marketability? How hard is it to make the rectangular hole in the cap?/ Any comments are appreciated.
 
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It would have to a large pen. Just measuring the USB port on my computer, and it's 9/16 of an inch. Then you would have to have some sort of threads or other method of capping it plust tubes. You would have probably close to a 3/4" thick pen in the end.
 
jleiwig said:
It would have to a large pen. Just measuring the USB port on my computer, and it's 9/16 of an inch. Then you would have to have some sort of threads or other method of capping it plust tubes. You would have probably close to a 3/4" thick pen in the end.
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You are correct. I have contacted an old friend who knows wood working front and back. I am asking how to drill a rectangular hole for the protruding contact part.
 
Wheaties said:
Can't say I have any advice, but I'm interested to see what you come up with if you decide to do it.
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I finally found a over seas source for the boards BUT 500 minimum order and they want the money sent Western Union. I am scared of this.
 
This is a pen offered by an online bank. I don't know how difficult it would be to fashion a removable cover.

Here is the description given by the bank

Metal pen with 1GB USB drive...ingenious!

* 1/2" diameter and 5" length
* Ball point - black ink
* Refillable with standard D1 ink
* Store important documents and take them on the go
* Ship to your home, office or secret spy headquarters for only $2


Orange price: $18.00
 

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I am currently working on a concept similar to this one.

Woodcraft now has a circuitboard USB kit in gold and chrome. I am looking to modify a cigar kit to work in a circuitboard bottom and an extended circuitboard top.

I will let you know how hit "turns" out.
 
ericw95 said:
I own a pen that is a usb, pen, and laser pointer. Everything is threaded. The refill is a mini refill. It was a vendor gift for the boss and she didn't want it or know it's full capabilities.
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Tear that sucker apart and see who the manufacturers are of the USB and laser.
 
Crashmph said:
I am currently working on a concept similar to this one.

Woodcraft now has a circuitboard USB kit in gold and chrome. I am looking to modify a cigar kit to work in a circuitboard bottom and an extended circuitboard top.

I will let you know how hit "turns" out.
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And I will let you know how mine turns out.
 
Sorry no. I was using the old cigarette term to roll your own as to make your own.

I'm not allowed in the shop yet, but I had picked up some 2gb flash drives at the local CompUSA at $4.00 each (their house brand). The hard part is making a new case, but I don't really see a problem.




Jgrden said:
Scratcher, the key word in your message is "roll". Were you playing with the word "turning"?

Confused in Conroe.
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Glass Scratcher said:
Sorry no. I was using the old cigarette term to roll your own as to make your own.

I'm not allowed in the shop yet, but I had picked up some 2gb flash drives at the local CompUSA at $4.00 each (their house brand). The hard part is making a new case, but I don't really see a problem.
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heh, heh, I thought you had stumbled upon something unique that I could use. Because of this I am going to heat one and see f I can bent it and yet have it work.
 
Jgrden said:
heh, heh, I thought you had stumbled upon something unique that I could use. Because of this I am going to heat one and see f I can bent it and yet have it work.
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I don't know about all flash drives but the ones I picked up can't be bent. The memory chip is the width of the board.

1_flashdrive_002_-_r.jpg


I suppose I should have rotated the image but that is the direction I put the parts to begin with.

1_Flashdrive_004_-_r.jpg
 
Glass Scratcher: I am going to proceed. You are right about the size and integrety of the chip/board. I don't think there is a CompUSA around here, Conroe, Texas. The last one I remember was in Isla Vista, Ca. There may be a way to go on line with them. Thanks for putting up with my humor.
 
Jgrden said:
Glass Scratcher: I am going to proceed. You are right about the size and integrety of the chip/board. I don't think there is a CompUSA around here, Conroe, Texas. The last one I remember was in Isla Vista, Ca. There may be a way to go on line with them. Thanks for putting up with my humor.
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I can use all the humor I can get presently...

I don't know were Conroe Tx is but the website lists 3 in the state
http://www.compusa.com/retailstores/compusaStores/index.asp

I stopped in the local CompUSA and the had some of the physically smaller 2gb Transcend drives in the $8.99 range in the sale bins. Thing is, the prices change every week.

The smallest physical flash drives I have seen are made by PQI.

Good luck and let us know how the project turns out.
 
Keep your eye out for Office Depot,Office Max, or Staples-even their websites. You can get a 4GB for about $8. Wood-n-Whimsies sell a key ring that accommodates a flash drive and their instructions talk about opening the case and inserting the drive after the case is completed. Check it out as it might be helpful
 
nava1uni said:
Keep your eye out for Office Depot,Office Max, or Staples-even their websites. You can get a 4GB for about $8. Wood-n-Whimsies sell a key ring that accommodates a flash drive and their instructions talk about opening the case and inserting the drive after the case is completed. Check it out as it might be helpful
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Cindy: Thank you for that information. I will check that out. today.
 
Jgrden said:
Glass Scratcher: I am going to proceed. You are right about the size and integrety of the chip/board. I don't think there is a CompUSA around here, Conroe, Texas. The last one I remember was in Isla Vista, Ca. There may be a way to go on line with them. Thanks for putting up with my humor.
Click to expand...

I thought CompUSA went out of business a few years back... If they are still around, there was one on 1960 about 2 blocks west of I45 on the right... and I think another further out 1960 closer to Tomball or the road to Tomball anyway... I don't remember the mall area out that way.
 
There's a fry's just inside the beltway on 45, just a little way south of you. They run rotating sales, but have some of the cheapest electronics component prices around.
 
jskeen said:
There's a fry's just inside the beltway on 45, just a little way south of you. They run rotating sales, but have some of the cheapest electronics component prices around.
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I forgot about Fry's. See their store off the I-45. Also, the CompUSA off 1960 is a possibility. It is next to Woodcraft. Good eyes, guys and gals. I am on my way to a new adventure.
 
TellicoTurning said:
I thought CompUSA went out of business a few years back... If they are still around, there was one on 1960 about 2 blocks west of I45 on the right... and I think another further out 1960 closer to Tomball or the road to Tomball anyway... I don't remember the mall area out that way.
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CompUSA did go out of business about a year ago. Three of the stores in Texas were bought by TigerDirect, as well as the CompUSA name. They are open as CompUSA. The most aggravating thing is they train their employees to ask everyone in the store if they need help, every 45 seconds. They actually stand in line to ask you... Fry's gets my on site business, and TigerDirect the web business.

Tom
 
gketell said:
I found this....

18_201_515.jpg


http://www.supertalent.com/products/stt_usb_detail.php?type=Pico%20Mini-B
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Greg: I found a distributor in San Jose. I am "small potatoes" to them but they are working with me. Instead of the $8.00, they are reducing the price, but to what - I am not sure. Nice little Oriental voice in their sales department. Thank you for the lead. I received the flash drive kits ( I was going to make my own but went the easy way ). I plan on testing ten to see if they sell. If so, I will become a millionaire and you will be on retainer as advisor for new products. What do you think??:glasses-nerdy:
 
The first flash drive pen was completed this afternoon with Cocobolo. Brought it in for Mary to look at and it did not pass the test. My in-house quality control expert says that no one would want to write with a instrument that big. She went on to say that people would buy the cap end with a fastening device on it. It would be attractive, safe and compact.

So there gals and guys, or guys and gals, is the REST of the story.
 
Jgrden said:
The first flash drive pen was completed this afternoon with Cocobolo. Brought it in for Mary to look at and it did not pass the test. My in-house quality control expert says that no one would want to write with a instrument that big. She went on to say that people would buy the cap end with a fastening device on it. It would be attractive, safe and compact.

So there gals and guys, or guys and gals, is the REST of the story.
Click to expand...
So let us see a picture and make up our own mind.
 
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Proto Flash Drive

Here are the shots. Did not clean up the glue.
 

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