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Icrontic's EPIC Duct Tape Case
CB Droege
May 8, 2008 1:00 AM ET in Tech
Poles and tubes
The poles were formed by rolling strips of duct tape edge-wise. Through experimentation, we discovered that six strips of tape presented the right balance of both diameter and strength to support the weight of the outer case as well as our PC components.
The first step was the most difficult; we needed to start the roll by folding over one thread’s width of tape. To do this, we pinched down the edge of a tape strip using a fingernail and folded it over itself. After this first fold was completed, the cycle was repeated to create a tight cylinder. Once we’d run out of tape, the next strip was laid out to again repeat the process. We weren’t satisfied until each cylinder had utilized six strips of tape. Wound tightly, each six-strip cylinder was about 3/8 inch in diameter.
Making side panels
The panels created from many layers, so as to make them as sturdy as possible. We began by forming a series of strips out of two pieces of tape. Again, the first step was the most challenging. We had to place the two pieces of tape together, sticky side in. If misaligned, the pieces would become impossible to salvage.
These strips would then be ‘woven’ together into a sheet, using small duct tape ‘darts’ to hold them together temporarily.
CB’s mother was a basket weaver.
Then, a series of tape slices (each a bit larger than the one before) would be placed diagonally across the woven sheet. In doing this, we were careful not to overlap. The goal was to create as smooth a surface as possible.
We then cut the panel to the correct size and wrapped the edges in a single layer of tape to keep the panel together.
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