RFID is an acronym for Radio Frequency Identification. RFIDs are extremely small which makes them very popular for ID cards, MetroCard's, and even our credit or debit cards. Sadly while RFID is extremely easy to use they are also very flawed. This is mainly because they use what is knows aa passive battery. What this means is that these chips draw power from whatever happens to be reading them. This is because Readers will produce radio waves, which then power the RFID microchips and allow them to produce their own signal that sends information back. Allowing anyone with the means to transmit and receive radio waves, the ability to take the chip's information. However, there is a way to keep the chips from being read or transmit the information. this is through the use of an RFID protected wallet or even bag. these are usually comprised of lightweight metals that are placed inside the wallet while being made. The metals used are conductive; like copper or aluminum. These metals will effectively block the radio waves preventing that person from taking the chip's information. this DIY will take you through how to make your own RFID protected wallet from scratch using the materials in your home.
Step 1: Creating the Billfold
Lets first get all of the materials
- 1 role of Aluminum foil
- 1 roll of 2-inch Ducktape
- Exacto knife
Know that we have everything take the Ducktape and create to 2 long rectangles 3 inches by 9 inches by placing one 2 inch strip on top on another one and cut the pieces by using the exact knife to cut the pieces to size. (as seen in image 1) Now take the aluminum foil and create 2 rectangles of 9 inches by 12 inches (as seen in image 2) by using the exact knife, draw lines on the foil rectangles long side every 3 inches. Fold the foils across the 3-inch lines toward the center of the rectangles. Then have the two rectangles connect in the same manner as seen in image 3. Once that's done take the 2 Ducktape pieces and apply it to either side of the folded foil and see in image 4. Once finished applying another piece of duck tape onto where the two pieces of tuck tape met, in order to keep all foil inside the wallet. Now take out another piece of aluminum 1 inch by 12 inches and cut it down the center so that you now have 2 pieces of 1 inch by 6-inch aluminum. then take a piece of Ducktape (2 inches by 12 inches) and cut it down the center so it makes 2 rectangles (2 inches by 6 inch) as seen in image 5. Place one rectangle of foil into the center of the Ducktape rectangle as seen in image 6. Now take the aluminum and Ducktape pieces and place them in the same manner as seen in image 8(its also important to note that using the exact knife you should cut off any excess Ducktape and foil as to make it look more like image 8). Finally, fold the foil and cut the excess Ducktape that might keep the bills from sliding in.
Step 2: Adding Slots
Make 6 Ducktape rectangles (2.5 inches by 4 inches. then take a large piece of aluminum foil and place each piece of dictate onto it. Not using the Exacto knife cut out the rectangles as seen in image 2. Remove all excess aluminum and the make 6 new Ducktape rectangles (1 inch by 4 in). Take the new rectangles and stick it to the long edge of the 2.5 by 4 rectangles then fold it over as seen in image 3. Then slow down the video provided and stick the pockets as seen in it. Make 4 1 inch by 4 in Ducktape rectangles and place them on both the inner and outer portions of where the new pockets can be found as seen in image 3. Then cut out the edges as seen in image 4. Fold the edges in and finally cut out any excess Ducktape as you did earlier for the billfold.