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Waterproof Your Thumbdrive

Monday, February 18th, 2008 – running time 12:05
Got five minutes? You can make any USB Thumbdrive waterproof with epoxy and a popsicle stick! Your USB Flash Drive need never fear the washing machine again if you waterproof it... if you've got ten minutes and a popsicle stick, you can do this!

OK, technically, it's a USB Flash Drive, and not a thumbdrive, but, heck, everyone around here calls 'em thumbdrives.

Props to Ahenobarbus Textor and his LIVE blog for inspiring this one with the lovely How to Waterproof a Thumb-Drive.

Cracking a drive and coating the innards with epoxy is somewhat more compact than, say, stuffing your drive into an Otterbox, tho we’ve done hideous things to an OtterBox 1000 without damaging the contents.

We made one modest improvement to the LIVE blog's instructions: we wrapped the steel SUB end of the drive with 3M's Scotch-Blue Painter’s Tape to make sure we didn’t epoxy too far up the drive, we also played around with embedding a drive in a ginourmous mess of epoxy and aluminum foil. (It works, in a sort of “WTF is that?” kind of way.)

We used Patrick’s favorite epoxy, Devcon’s mad-reliable 5 Minute Epoxy. It’s cheap, and available everywhere, at least out West.

BTW, our epoxyied drive has survived two washings and a through dousing in cola! with no ill effects.

One of the drives we encrusted (the one in the mad pile of epoxy and aluminum foil) was a gimme we found in a press release, the other two drives we cracked were SanDisk Cruzer Micro 2GB

Wondering where the Wireless Access Truck is?

Patrick’s waiting for his new truck (the one the Wireless Access Truck gear was going into has been sold; no room for a baby seat) and he’s fighting some Linux configuration and driver issues to build the box up the way he wants. (He’s about to break down and do a streamlined Windows XP install using nLite so he can finish it off. XP has drivers for all the gear, and a relatively painless config, even it is much more resource intensive.) We’ll show it in action ASAP!

Highlights
Patrick Norton ( 0:01, 0:44, 1:08, 11:19, 11:28, 11:37, 0:01, 0:44, 1:08, 11:19, 11:28, 11:37 ) Blu-ray ( 7:52, 7:55, 8:18, 7:52, 7:55, 8:18 ) masking tape ( 3:19, 3:25, 3:19, 3:25 ) Sonoma state ( 6:02, 6:02 ) Patrick Norton ( 0:01, 0:44, 1:08, 11:19, 11:28, 11:37, 0:01, 0:44, 1:08, 11:19, 11:28, 11:37 ) Blu-ray ( 7:52, 7:55, 8:18, 7:52, 7:55, 8:18 ) masking tape ( 3:19, 3:25, 3:19, 3:25 ) Sonoma state ( 6:02, 6:02 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" Or system episode 38 I'm Patrick Norton David -- still on assignment fish in the studio right now there looming. Sound proofing on the ceiling which of the worst jobs and never seem like it would enforce the drywall and the ceiling is actually having to spray glue -- up and then basically sit there gigs on the on the field easily basically -- five square -- ceiling so hopefully mr. -- in the past seven or latter he still safe. And the meantime we actually have a little episode Korea. And that -- thank our sponsors before he added that one fine folks at Netflix and to the fine folks -- go -- any outcome in the bills in -- showed you. Right now about what are we gonna be talking about. Waterproofing. Thumb drives with a -- this is really really fun really really fast and really really bulletproof way to clean up drive. I'm Patrick Norton -- in the system. While this system I'm Patrick Norton but one thing before it started. I got to address everybody the forums who are miffed utterly asked. And quite rightly so the water while we -- finish a project on system personal we've finished. Dozens of projects on system however there are two things I will definitely throw me call out on recently won. I completely forgot to bring in the painted notebook would that we didn't -- any episode. -- media -- small child and never sleep I apologize yet wireless access track. Three things happened one I -- the truck was supposed to do to the new truck hasn't gotten here yet in three and a significant importance. I've been trying to fight Holyfield Lennox installation on the ecstasy get some cool stuff by adding drivers on the links. When in reality it should just broke it and in the entire thing windows XP which is operating -- and -- has tons of drivers or B. Would have had this done three weeks ago I apologize and -- wrap that -- up to you yours it'll bring in the notebook -- next week I completely forgot that we promised Michael. Similarly here. We're gonna do one thing -- in the USB drive here -- whopping gigabyte we're gonna throw it into one machines that repair my pants which simulates the failure state. Arming them obvious beat -- world. This one should come through with flying colors you'll find out about that -- the show right now though without actually made this and before we do that would give props. Two. Well it's WW -- blog and I I've gotta read the name here because on the you know writes that. You know -- texture. Congratulations -- yes I agree gaining your account at 6 in the morning commute Harry very dangers so good luck dealing with the Europe bureaucracy about change. Side -- So actually a little while back and actually talk about improving thumb drive and when it's something. A little simpler actually proposed by the -- otter box. And called it done that's accident -- them -- there's been kicked hallway in the probably dragged behind a truck before we're through but it's a little bulky to slip in your pocket. Which is the idea that the guys at the weblog. Mister -- please name is actually had with heating up the epoxy and it's pretty simply going to crack a drive. And this case we've -- grab a little bit of our favorite blue masking tape and we figure out how far in the thumb drive inserts. And we marked that place we rapidly masking tape on there is that what we don't want to do is have a whole what's in the -- he dripping down the drive and preventing us from USB slot. That would be very very that now. The way we do and if we're actually not going to recycle the fabulous plastic like our case here. If you want to be -- nice one object with a hammer or on the misuse a just volunteer. Crack -- open nothing news if your favorite. Crying device in this case -- abuse at Berkeley in Austin night a screwdriver will be quite nicely and you're gonna expose the innards. The thumb drive -- if you never popped open -- thumb drive it's a pretty simple device it's a controller. And it chunk of memory. And there's your -- p.'s memory here. An average use one of my favorite that substances in the planet in not. Because of the way it smells this is five minute epoxy when my favorite substances on the planet. And not just because a perfect for permanently sealing someone into the office or at least until facilities and actually get the door cracked open again. That have done that. Actually because it has built in ratio of resin to partner normally with a proxy might actually have to measure the ratio present partner. But with a five minute epoxy like this you've got a pretty simple setup -- to YouTube's. Press on the tube after you squeeze the air out and automatically using the correct ratio. So we got a couple things are playing around here. I'm basically playing with death once again by doing this on the conference table in our office. But I like doing that. Paper plates FedEx envelopes cardboard these are all good things to work on. Because if you get a proxy on the mini becomes -- semi permanent part of them and it actually quite well might do that. Because five minute epoxy from my -- com which is brand seem to be sold and every hardware store on the planet. Will bonds -- would concrete glass and trying to ceramic -- is clear. Basically still working out for the call five minutes of stops sorts to -- in five minutes and fifteen minutes pretty much permanence. These are handling it went lecture 24 hours overnight hey. PSI -- of course strength of 1500 PSI it is water resistant it is non flammable. And has a working range of negative 42 degrees Fahrenheit basically what's the stuff on your standing at all for a permanent part of whatever content that you. So. General twos -- the air out here for."

" Really lucky I'm not going to manage to sprayed in my faith and it Newton. We've got a little pile here -- the window opened behind us because of the window wasn't open. I would start giggling a lot improbably falling off my chair the substance in here does contain chemicals Sonoma state of California to cause cancer. -- pretty much everything sold in the state of California but in this case it and the believe them. Two north and the try to. Mix it basically -- thoroughly mix the resident and the hard -- together. And if it's a -- what kind of I've learned to drive clear. Amanda looking for specific color they tell you to give you chip connected to -- the ratios and -- and X. And in this case so we've got what we did before -- would just crack Curtis. We actually put it on a stick to handle it to make it a little bit easier. To hold causes a nothing worse than. Finding yourself permanently -- upon -- things what do very thin layer one of the funny things about epoxy. Doesn't matter. Or actually any kind of our last president is to generate heat. As it sets as it fixes. And want to do you feel getting them on some probably laying on a little thicker that needs to be. It's kind of fun to play with and you basically -- paper off here remember we want to block all the whole thing on the -- USB port. But we don't want to cover any part of the USB. Connector that we're gonna want to put it -- machines -- too easy on that. So bear with -- while we spread them on there and as as we're now he's in the fabulous super a proxy. Should be. Pretty much. Stop moving at about five minutes."

" About fifteen minutes -- pretty hard so we'll let that line. And we'll come back that the moment but certainly there. Art while waiting for the epoxy drives great time that. Tell you about one of our sponsors Netflix dot com if you have a haven't gotten the message and you gotta Blu-ray or HD dvd player it is time you knew that Netflix has Blu-ray dvd titles. And you don't want same system used for dvds you select them they come up -- Q they shall be your doorstep and you get to enjoy them. Even if you can't find any for sale or for rent locally heavy get that well you know what get a free trial it never use Netflix it WWW that Netflix dot com slash system. And they get can't because we told you about it you get Blu-ray and HD dvds and of course that that Brazilians dvd titles to check out. Netflix dot com slash system."

" per second layer of epoxy we're gonna crack open our container here remember. Don't let this stuff hit you anything you don't want permanently or semi permanently glued together. -- now. Good. Mix that together and remember you've hopefully left the window opener in certain -- a lot like I was over the commercial break. Like to apologize few Roger and surf Keenan who had with me. The stuff is really valves though. And so quickly even at your face and if you can find one get the proper breathing apparatus. -- local hardware store the stuff is normally. Yeah who who. Are we I'd do it on pretty heavy on -- have fun wearing what we're gonna put a second layer and really only with a millimeter tube -- here. You hit it pretty permanent covers the stuff. You know it's pretty bumpers. Millimeter accused more than enough. It. Per second layer on them. You should all learn. Again millimeter -- enough. And you'll notice it's always start leaking -- if you packet onto it."

" All right Sony definitely knows that -- before it sets. A new office open water -- the you can -- here's the -- fingerprints. Become. It permanent part. Table. I'm gonna -- the bathroom for the bathroom writhing about what our sponsors. It would make an impact on line that you would go way conduct on the dollar 99 plus world class hosting fascinating website builders and much more. This paper that are in the code 61 SYS one when you check out mutants and an additional ten dollars off any order of forty dollars or more. These walls or sponsors in the wash this off because here's what happened that we -- it works -- Are we about actually given one of these drives. Couple hours to set we've immersed in -- the same brand of -- I used to actually use. Unstick -- lug nuts -- gallons of light -- that constantly and we've got a notebook on the that are thumb drive here. Look we have a glow with the good -- Remember this was immersed in -- the the soda. -- it's good hail to the stuff used to. Check it out it still works. We probably gonna stroke at some point get a chance to see what. Watching it. Destroy it but I'm thinking and if saturating innate diet and to build average doesn't take it out in the washing machines -- okay. I'm Patrick Norton that's it this initiative system next week old notebook lived in hopefully. Romany promises to keep ads off for Patrick Norton email system risen three dot com website revision3.com -- systems that it's your emails. Your request your ideas your thoughts and we'll definitely check enough. I'm Patrick Norton. "

" Or system episode 38 I'm Patrick Norton David -- still on assignment fish in the studio right now there looming. Sound proofing on the ceiling which of the worst jobs and never seem like it would enforce the drywall and the ceiling is actually having to spray glue -- up and then basically sit there gigs on the on the field easily basically -- five square -- ceiling so hopefully mr. -- in the past seven or latter he still safe. And the meantime we actually have a little episode Korea. And that -- thank our sponsors before he added that one fine folks at Netflix and to the fine folks -- go -- any outcome in the bills in -- showed you. Right now about what are we gonna be talking about. Waterproofing. Thumb drives with a -- this is really really fun really really fast and really really bulletproof way to clean up drive. I'm Patrick Norton -- in the system. While this system I'm Patrick Norton but one thing before it started. I got to address everybody the forums who are miffed utterly asked. And quite rightly so the water while we -- finish a project on system personal we've finished. Dozens of projects on system however there are two things I will definitely throw me call out on recently won. I completely forgot to bring in the painted notebook would that we didn't -- any episode. -- media -- small child and never sleep I apologize yet wireless access track. Three things happened one I -- the truck was supposed to do to the new truck hasn't gotten here yet in three and a significant importance. I've been trying to fight Holyfield Lennox installation on the ecstasy get some cool stuff by adding drivers on the links. When in reality it should just broke it and in the entire thing windows XP which is operating -- and -- has tons of drivers or B. Would have had this done three weeks ago I apologize and -- wrap that -- up to you yours it'll bring in the notebook -- next week I completely forgot that we promised Michael. Similarly here. We're gonna do one thing -- in the USB drive here -- whopping gigabyte we're gonna throw it into one machines that repair my pants which simulates the failure state. Arming them obvious beat -- world. This one should come through with flying colors you'll find out about that -- the show right now though without actually made this and before we do that would give props. Two. Well it's WW -- blog and I I've gotta read the name here because on the you know writes that. You know -- texture. Congratulations -- yes I agree gaining your account at 6 in the morning commute Harry very dangers so good luck dealing with the Europe bureaucracy about change. Side -- So actually a little while back and actually talk about improving thumb drive and when it's something. A little simpler actually proposed by the -- otter box. And called it done that's accident -- them -- there's been kicked hallway in the probably dragged behind a truck before we're through but it's a little bulky to slip in your pocket. Which is the idea that the guys at the weblog. Mister -- please name is actually had with heating up the epoxy and it's pretty simply going to crack a drive. And this case we've -- grab a little bit of our favorite blue masking tape and we figure out how far in the thumb drive inserts. And we marked that place we rapidly masking tape on there is that what we don't want to do is have a whole what's in the -- he dripping down the drive and preventing us from USB slot. That would be very very that now. The way we do and if we're actually not going to recycle the fabulous plastic like our case here. If you want to be -- nice one object with a hammer or on the misuse a just volunteer. Crack -- open nothing news if your favorite. Crying device in this case -- abuse at Berkeley in Austin night a screwdriver will be quite nicely and you're gonna expose the innards. The thumb drive -- if you never popped open -- thumb drive it's a pretty simple device it's a controller. And it chunk of memory. And there's your -- p.'s memory here. An average use one of my favorite that substances in the planet in not. Because of the way it smells this is five minute epoxy when my favorite substances on the planet. And not just because a perfect for permanently sealing someone into the office or at least until facilities and actually get the door cracked open again. That have done that. Actually because it has built in ratio of resin to partner normally with a proxy might actually have to measure the ratio present partner. But with a five minute epoxy like this you've got a pretty simple setup -- to YouTube's. Press on the tube after you squeeze the air out and automatically using the correct ratio. So we got a couple things are playing around here. I'm basically playing with death once again by doing this on the conference table in our office. But I like doing that. Paper plates FedEx envelopes cardboard these are all good things to work on. Because if you get a proxy on the mini becomes -- semi permanent part of them and it actually quite well might do that. Because five minute epoxy from my -- com which is brand seem to be sold and every hardware store on the planet. Will bonds -- would concrete glass and trying to ceramic -- is clear. Basically still working out for the call five minutes of stops sorts to -- in five minutes and fifteen minutes pretty much permanence. These are handling it went lecture 24 hours overnight hey. PSI -- of course strength of 1500 PSI it is water resistant it is non flammable. And has a working range of negative 42 degrees Fahrenheit basically what's the stuff on your standing at all for a permanent part of whatever content that you. So. General twos -- the air out here for."

" Really lucky I'm not going to manage to sprayed in my faith and it Newton. We've got a little pile here -- the window opened behind us because of the window wasn't open. I would start giggling a lot improbably falling off my chair the substance in here does contain chemicals Sonoma state of California to cause cancer. -- pretty much everything sold in the state of California but in this case it and the believe them. Two north and the try to. Mix it basically -- thoroughly mix the resident and the hard -- together. And if it's a -- what kind of I've learned to drive clear. Amanda looking for specific color they tell you to give you chip connected to -- the ratios and -- and X. And in this case so we've got what we did before -- would just crack Curtis. We actually put it on a stick to handle it to make it a little bit easier. To hold causes a nothing worse than. Finding yourself permanently -- upon -- things what do very thin layer one of the funny things about epoxy. Doesn't matter. Or actually any kind of our last president is to generate heat. As it sets as it fixes. And want to do you feel getting them on some probably laying on a little thicker that needs to be. It's kind of fun to play with and you basically -- paper off here remember we want to block all the whole thing on the -- USB port. But we don't want to cover any part of the USB. Connector that we're gonna want to put it -- machines -- too easy on that. So bear with -- while we spread them on there and as as we're now he's in the fabulous super a proxy. Should be. Pretty much. Stop moving at about five minutes."

" About fifteen minutes -- pretty hard so we'll let that line. And we'll come back that the moment but certainly there. Art while waiting for the epoxy drives great time that. Tell you about one of our sponsors Netflix dot com if you have a haven't gotten the message and you gotta Blu-ray or HD dvd player it is time you knew that Netflix has Blu-ray dvd titles. And you don't want same system used for dvds you select them they come up -- Q they shall be your doorstep and you get to enjoy them. Even if you can't find any for sale or for rent locally heavy get that well you know what get a free trial it never use Netflix it WWW that Netflix dot com slash system. And they get can't because we told you about it you get Blu-ray and HD dvds and of course that that Brazilians dvd titles to check out. Netflix dot com slash system."

" per second layer of epoxy we're gonna crack open our container here remember. Don't let this stuff hit you anything you don't want permanently or semi permanently glued together. -- now. Good. Mix that together and remember you've hopefully left the window opener in certain -- a lot like I was over the commercial break. Like to apologize few Roger and surf Keenan who had with me. The stuff is really valves though. And so quickly even at your face and if you can find one get the proper breathing apparatus. -- local hardware store the stuff is normally. Yeah who who. Are we I'd do it on pretty heavy on -- have fun wearing what we're gonna put a second layer and really only with a millimeter tube -- here. You hit it pretty permanent covers the stuff. You know it's pretty bumpers. Millimeter accused more than enough. It. Per second layer on them. You should all learn. Again millimeter -- enough. And you'll notice it's always start leaking -- if you packet onto it."

" All right Sony definitely knows that -- before it sets. A new office open water -- the you can -- here's the -- fingerprints. Become. It permanent part. Table. I'm gonna -- the bathroom for the bathroom writhing about what our sponsors. It would make an impact on line that you would go way conduct on the dollar 99 plus world class hosting fascinating website builders and much more. This paper that are in the code 61 SYS one when you check out mutants and an additional ten dollars off any order of forty dollars or more. These walls or sponsors in the wash this off because here's what happened that we -- it works -- Are we about actually given one of these drives. Couple hours to set we've immersed in -- the same brand of -- I used to actually use. Unstick -- lug nuts -- gallons of light -- that constantly and we've got a notebook on the that are thumb drive here. Look we have a glow with the good -- Remember this was immersed in -- the the soda. -- it's good hail to the stuff used to. Check it out it still works. We probably gonna stroke at some point get a chance to see what. Watching it. Destroy it but I'm thinking and if saturating innate diet and to build average doesn't take it out in the washing machines -- okay. I'm Patrick Norton that's it this initiative system next week old notebook lived in hopefully. Romany promises to keep ads off for Patrick Norton email system risen three dot com website revision3.com -- systems that it's your emails. Your request your ideas your thoughts and we'll definitely check enough. I'm Patrick Norton. "