What to do with all those old license plates just filling space in our garage..
It’s obvious that I’m not going to use them to cover the walls in our bathroom……….anymore.
OK, bear with me here…….We saw boxes made from old license plates at a craft fair recently. As usual, I thought, “I can do that”.
OOOh yes, I can……just watch me.
I started with a “medium density” license plate from 1972. The older ones are way too thick………and newer ones are way too thin (and not a cool looking as the old ones either)
To copy my box, you will need:
- A Rubber Mallet
- Tin Snips
- Pliers
- Black Sharpie Marker
- Block of Scrap Wood (About 5 1/2″ X 3 1/2″)
- Tape Measure
- Protective Gloves (I’m a “dare-devil” and didn’t wear any, but the cut edges can be very treacherous)
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just slightly flatter.
On the backside of the plate draw a 3 1/4 inch line with a sharpie, line it up with the bottom of the TEXAS (or whatever state name is centered at the top of the plate)….about 1 1/2 inches down.
Use the tin snips to cut down the line.
Then snip off about an inch from the edges.
The cut license plate should look something like this.
Use the wood block to fold up the front edge of the license plate.
The rubber mallet will make the fold a little crisp-er.
Fold up the front and back.
The TEXAS should be legible.
Use the pliers to bend in the back side. Again, try to get a crisp fold.
Then fold in the front as well.
Bend the edge up over the sides…….and down into the box.
Repeat on the other side to make a box.
Almost there now,
Use the 5 1/2″ wood block and rubber mallet to flatten out the whole box….as much as possible.
Taaa Daaaa!!!!
OK, I’ll admit it……. it still looks kinda …….rough,
But how perfect are these things for serving nuts on the patio?
Pretty perfect, Am I right?
…Shame on you for doubting me.
Now go make a license plate box for yourself.
THE CAVENDER DIARY 
You are amazing! You have INCREDIBLE style!
Awwww Jeezz, just doing what I do Catherine, it’s extra nice when people relate to it….
Are you interested in getting rid of your excess license plates?
>
Not just yet, Jenny, we have another plan
looking for what you have planned next! 🙂
Thanks Peg. I have several projects in the works, mostly half-done, hopefully they will keep you entertained.
That is too clever! Now I will be scouring the garage sales for cool license plates! And then handing them to the mr. so he can get busy with them.
Catherine T is dead on! Love this box!!
Your home and ideas are truly a treasure trove. I just want to come over and wander {snoop with envy} around looking at your fabulous ideas!
Very cool! Love it. (but aren’t the edges sharp? I worry about that as I tend to slice my fingers a lot …you know paper, knives, cardboard) 😦 Then again maybe it’s just me.
Not that sharp, I had no problems
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome project! I might have to give it a try. LOVE your ideas!
That is brilliant and a completely unique piece. I wonder how they’d work as shallow planters?!
Hi Amanda!!!! Didn’t know you had time to cruise other blogs…..(Love yours BTW) I’ll bet these would be great filled with small succulants…HHHMMMM
Just a note, if you’re using Michigan plates, the 70’s are the way to go for sure. I used one from ’78 and it worked great, whereas my plates from the 90’s were way too thick, which only becomes a problem when bending on a letter/number, so both short sides were difficult to fold over. I also used an orbital sander to smooth all the cuts – I’ve got small children and drunk friends, so someone was bound to slice their hand if I hadn’t!
I love those old Michigan plates with the American flag….I have one here somewhere. Great idea to sand down the edges. I have some friends that are familiar with the drink as well……
If you use the thicker license plates, you could just use a decorative piece of wood at either end. Then tack it down with nice looking nails or gorilla glue the ends to the license plate. Then you don’t have to cut the ends and have your box done quicker.
Thanks, I like that idea too. The box would be slightly longer too…maybe it holds mail, or something. I’m always trying new things with old plates….I’ll give one a try.
I made one of these and love it. Thanks for the tutorial.
That’s awesome!!!! So glad that I could inspire you…I’d love to see a picture
I thought that on your article on “Hometalk. a women replied on how unique the boxes were. She wrote that she’d love to make one, ” PROBLEM “, no chance of getting a plate. You replied saying you had thousands of them. Does that mean you have some for sale? I’d like to make one for my son, who worked on a crab boat in Dutch Harbor, AL this past season. His boat ” Neptune 1 “, wound up sinking in the Bering Sea, fortunately all crew members were rescued. As he stated, “too close for comfort “, a time he began looking at life differently, and started smelling the roses—–as they say!!
“a women”?
Of course, I believe that even “a woman” could make one of these boxes following my simple instructions.
OMG, I love this project and just happen to have a lot of old license plates hanging around (just waiting for a cool project).
BEST of ALL – no power tools !!!!
Kudos guys
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Hi I am Winston from SriLanka
My hobby is collecting numberplates
I would like to even buy numberplates
can you please help me.
Thanks
Winston
My email iswinston@medrac.net
Hi Winston, the best place to buy them is on EBay, do you have access to that site?
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omg< i just made one…and for a first timer…IT TURNED OUT GREAT….GONNA MAKE A BUNCH…WHAT A CUTE GIFT…I AM CRAFTY BUT NEVER TOUCHED A TIN SNIP BEFORE TODAY….THANKS!
Nancy! That’s so great! I’ve been giving them as gifts for years. So glad that I could turn you onto a new tool.
You don’t know how lucky you are we in the uk have plastic licence plates so we can’t make all this really cool stuff
Sorry Robert, didn’t mean to tease you. I’m not sure UK license plates are the right size anyway. However….you can always buy some old American plates on eBay or Etsy and have them shipped….
OK, I thought these were so stinking cute that I HAD to make one…and I just did! Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself! I had a little trouble with the end flaps but in the end I realized it really didn’t have to be perfect. I think I might try it with a plate that has smooth letters/numbers instead of the raised ones next time because the metal didn’t want to bend through the raised number. Not sure if that makes sense. Or just use a plate that has a number/letter with a straight edge (like a 1 or D) where it’s going to be bent. Boy, you’re not kidding when you said to wear safety gloves! I didn’t but I was extra careful! Those cut edges are like razor blades! Anyone wanting to try this: You can ask for old plates on Craigslist or just ask friends and neighbors to save them for you when they have to get new ones. You’d be surprised at the number of people who keep them!
Yeah, they can be a little sharp…..I’ve been advised to add ahead of hot glue along the cut edge after it’s finished.
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Very nice looks great
Nice n simple..i like that.
What a clever idea to use something that would have been trashed. Everyone I know would LOVE one of these! Thank you
Thanks Brooklyn, I’d love to see your finished boxes… send a pic!
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Nice ashtray for a cigar
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