I've looked at a number of options for organizing my keys rather than having a jumble in my pocket. Keysmart, Orbitkey, Keydisk, but I just couldn't justify the cost. So I started looking at some DIY options. And really I couldn't find anything that was a super easy walkthrough, just general suggestions in forums. So if you have a number of keys and want a cheap option better than a keyring, check out my story and step by step below! My final cost for this (6 keys) was $9.07, plus now I have a whole bunch of extra bolts. It would have been cheaper if I didn't have to buy a whole pack of nuts and bolts... but I couldn't find small enough bolts in the bulk bins. I got everything at a whim at Home Depot. This is super easy to do, I didn't even need any tools!
What you will need:
2 mending plates (you may want to remove the stickers - I forgot the first time around and had to take it all apart. Pro tip - if you end up with sticky residue - soak it in some rubbing alcohol and wipe it off with a cloth. Super duper easy)
2 1/8 x 1 inch flat socket head stove bolts (+ nuts). I like Robertson because that's how every bolt should be everywhere. But you can pick what you like.
7 rubber washers (this is for my 6 keys, 1 key is rubber coated so only needed a washer on one side)
Your keys
Steps:
1. Take one mending plate and place the bolts through each whole at the ends. Make sure the head is going into the recessed side, not the flat one.
2. Place a rubber washer on each bolt.
3. Place a key on each bolt, confirming that the flat side of the keys are opposite each other. This will make it easier to fit and use your keys.
4. Place another washer on each bolt.
5. Continue the same pattern until all your keys are on. You want to have the same number on each side. If you have an odd number of keys use another washer to space the gap.
6. Place the second mending plate on the bolts.
7. Place the nuts on hand tight. You may want to play around with the tension a bit so they spin how you like them to. Did anyone notice the Hollywood magic? :p
I'm considering getting acorn nuts to cap the bolts a bit better but this was just a really fast run of things. I expect I'll also get rid of the squared edges on the mending plates at a future time as well.
Post in the comments if you have any helpful suggestions. :)
Enjoy!
