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You Will Need

15 minutes
Pretty Easy

License Plate Mail File

  • Completed Project: License Plate Mail File Picture #1

Upcycle an old liscense plate into a mail file

Due to an unfortunate incident causing me to feel the full brunt of the Brazil-like world we live in, I have several license plates. At least one of the plates was still current and I felt really frustrated that it would become moot following its replacement with a plate from another state.

At some point I had this idea to use my plates as desktop mail/paper files. This is a simple project that takes less than 15 minutes, makes clever use of old/irrelevant license plate(s), and will help organize your desk.

Based on an original project available here

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  1. Step 1

    Step 1

    A US license plate is about 12 inches wide.

    Using your ruler, measure across the width of the license plate at 5" and 7". The 2" space in the middle will be the base of the file. I put small marks at the top, center and bottom of my plate so that I get a nice straight edge.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2

    Place your ruler or other sturdy edge along the inside (what will be the base of the file) of one set of marks and make sure your ruler is lined up with the marks.


  3. Step 3

    Step 3

    A license plate is very easy bend. Using your ruler as a guide, bend one side of the plate about 45 degrees. We're only going to bend halfway so that there will be room to position your hand to bend the other side.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4

    Next place your ruler along the inside of the second set of marks and use your fingers as shown above to hold the ruler and bend the other side about 45 degrees.


  5. Step 5

    Step 5

    Now you have a "U" shape. To finish the file work the sides to a vertical position so that you create a little file. The bottom corners will have a nice rounded shape.

    To finish the file, work the "U" shape into a more refined square shape where the sides are parallel.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6

    Ta da! This little file also works well to hold CDs.

    (Alternately, you could bend the plates in half at a 90 degree angle and use them as book ends.)

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People who love this project (32)See All »

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michelle G.

michelle G.

19 May 16:41

thats cool

Eszti

Eszti

19 May 18:56

hehe, awesome :D

RenJac1301

RenJac1301

19 May 19:25

Cool Idea.

Sarah S.

Sarah S.

19 May 19:58

Gah! I just threw out my old plates! Now I have to go dig through my trash! Crap!

KMOM14

KMOM14

20 May 02:02

Great upcycle!

Nessi H.

Nessi H.

21 May 01:43

What a great idea and way to recycle bloody love it ^_^

Sarah H.

Sarah H.

18 Aug 00:15

awesome idea! i used the license plate I got from the bahamas! :)

bytheairport Posted By:
bytheairport »
May 19, 2009 14:50
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