Wooden Business Card Holder

This slim and stylish business card holder is hand crafted with the finest hardwoods. With the smooth edges and thin design, only about 12mm (1/2”) thick, you won’t even notice it in your pocket.This business card holder have a wooden “elastic lock” whitch prevents cards from falling out. Elastic lock is in a closed position for which no springs or metal parts are used but the natural elasticity of wood. Thanks to this elastic lock always automatically returns to the lock position. Because no metal parts and no magnets, there is no risk that your payment card is degaussed.

The Tung oil finish gives the wallets a natural look and feel.This slim business card holder is large enough to protect approximately 15-20 business cards, or 5-6 credit cards. Fits for cards with approx.size 55 mm x 105 mm (2.16”x4.13”), or smaller.

Outside dimensions is about: 112 mm x 66 mm x 12,6mm, (4.41” x 2.59” x 0.5”)

Inner dimensions: 105 mm x 55 mm x 5,5 mm, (4.13” x 2.16” x 0.22”)

Besides basic tools and materials, shown in the picture, you need even saw (Bandsaw or hand saw), and sandpaper or electric sander. I have used Home made oscillating edge spindle sander .

A board that is used for making boxes can be mad out of any wood that you have, but I recommend harder wood: Walnut (described example), oak, cherry, etc. The only requirement is that the wood has a normal elasticity (not treated further) and that the thickness of the wood is such that it is possible to cut out from it two plates 4 mm (0,16") thick. So required thickness of the boards should be at least 15 mm (0,59") in order to accommodate the cutting saw. Length of the board is 120 mm (4,72").

Therefore, the wood is cut to two 4 mm (0,16") thick strips. Panels are processed by sanding. For starters it is enough to sand one side that is going to be glued (inside), and sanding of the outside can be done later, when the box is already assembled.

For sides I used dark wood, in order to achieve a contrast to the front (reverse combination is of course possible as well as making the whole box from the same type of wood).

Using a bandsaw or any other suitable method, three slats of dimensions 6x6 mm (0,24"x0,24") are cut. Two slats should be 120 mm (4,72") long and the third slat should be 55 mm (2,16") long, same as the inner width of the finished box. After cutting, slats are lightly sanded (finish thickness is 5,5 mm (0.22”)) in order to be prepared for the assembling of the box.

In order to make the elastic lock, we have to make two holes 5 mm (0,2") in diameter on the one of the sides. Holes are placed 25 mm (0,98") from the bottom edge. Centers of these two holes are 26 mm (1,02") apart from each other. When the holes are made, saw is used to make two incisions, from the top to each of the holes.

On the second slat (back), elliptical opening for finger is made which makes for easy removal of a business card out of the box. To make this hole, first drill two holes using a cutter 24 mm (0,94") in diameter. Centers of the opening are on 47 mm (1,85") and 60 mm (2,36") from the bottom edge of slat. After drilling, cut the excess between openings and process using sandpaper.

Prepared box sides and dark wood slats are ready for assembly. For assembly wood glue is used, preferably waterproof. When assembling (gluing and clamping), care should be taken that the strips do not slide off i.e. make sure internal dimensions are preserved.

When the glue is dried, the excess slats on the upper side of the box are cut, so that the length of the business card holder is 112 mm (4,41”). After that, the box is sanded on all sides, and the side edges are slightly curved.

For making of the elastick lock „button“ dark wood slat 15 mm (0,59") wide and 12 mm (0,47") high is used, and is cut to the length equal to the width of the elastic lock tongue. Next, on the side of the button we mark the place in which the elasic lock tongue will be inserted. After that, on the button following the marked lines 5 mm (0,2") channel is cut.

When the width of the cut channel is set so that the tongue of the elastic lock enters the channel easily, we cut the bottom (thicker) part of the button which enters the box preventing visit cards from falling out, so that the depth of the channel on that side is 1,5 mm (0,06") (See Figure).

After that, using a file or a spindle sander, recesses are formed for the finger. At the end the button is glued to the tongue, thus making the elastic lock.

Finally we should remove the remains of glue and once again sand the box using fine granulation. After removal of the dust box is coated with tung oil in two layers with drying time between coats.

Thank you for reading my first Instructable and have a nice day!