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.
