Thanks to the Internet I came across a new product called Sugru a mouldable silicone that helps you hack and repair your stuff to make it work better and last longer. Its stops you from having to buy new things when they break and glue just won’t do it justice (when does it ever?).
It’s self-adhesive (sticking to practically everything), dishwasher-proof, waterproof, resistant from -60C to 180C and yet it cures (hardens into silicon) at room temperature. It was created by an Irish woman called Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh and there’s a great set of videos on Fora.tv where she discusses the product in tons of detail, from its development to its applications. The Sugru blog was also a finalist in the Irish Blog Awards 2010, where you can find ideas on what to do with your Sugru.
We’ve been used to living in a world where we throw things out when they get broken, but with less money in our pockets we should now be turning to versatile and practical solutions such as Sugru. It’s also so much better for the environment. It doesn’t just fix things though, it can improve the usability of your crappy mass produced consumer products. People have already done some clever things with theirs and that’s what I’m planning on doing with mine.
Sugru iPhone Stand
I couldn’t wait to get it out of the packet last week. I already knew what hack I was going to start with. I have a few old iPhone cases lying around so I thought rather than throwing them out I would modify them into iPhone stands so they would stand upright to watch a movie on, handsfree.
I expected the sugru to have the consistency of mala (play doh) but at first feel it was much sticker and not as easy to mould. This changed after a few minutes rolling it around in my hands and making it into a little ball. It did however keep sticking to the table. To stop this happening I lined the table with a little cling-film (which would come in even handier later on).
It took me quite awhile to figure out exactly what shape I would start with, first it was a rectangle, then a v shape, but as soon as I stuck it onto the iPhone case the shape changed and evolved as my fingers worked with the soft texture.
The end result of my hack isn’t as pretty as I would have hoped, but seeing as it was my first time I’m not that bothered (it kind of resembles a shoe or a duck’s beak, but it could be worse).
After 24 hours curing the orange Sugru is now 100% stuck to the old iPhone case, turning it into an iPhone stand. I’m happy it worked and that my first try was a success.
Planned Hacks
I’m planning on adding a permanent coaster to the bottom of a few of my coffee cups, making my flip flops more comfortable, adding soft handles to some cutlery for Mam (who struggles with normal ones as she has arthritis) and adapting the handle of the garden shovel so it stops giving everyone sore hands.
Dad has some plumbing related ideas for the Sugru that I don’t quite understand, but I’m sure they’re great.
The Bottom Line
The only downside to this product is that you must use it within the first 6 months of purchasing. If the makers of Sugru really want this to be the next sellotape, glue or blutac, they’ll have to resolve that problem first.
However, I really do think this product is more than just a sticky substance; it gives each of us the ability to because our own industrial designer. Which is pretty damm great.
Most importantly though, it also helps girls make their high heels less painful to walk in.
Thats a sweet deal. Makes using the iPhone for movies much easier.
Niiiiice video, Many creative uses for this. My personal favorite….
Making high heels less Painless. May have to give this one a try!
Just goes to show that great ideas are everywhere.
Sylvia ;-)
See what others are doing with Sugru on http://www.MySugruHacks.com you can also upload your hacks for the world to see.