Tutorial: USB Ranger Key (Image Heavy)
 

Ever thought about making your own USB drive out of a Ranger Key but don't know how? Hopefully this guide will help you out.

Here's what you'll need:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps21a78f89.jpg

* An Exacto-knife
* A small Philips head and flat head(not pictured) screwdriver
* A hot glue gun
* A ranger key (All keys will follow the same steps)
* A USB drive (I'm using a PNY 8gb for this one)

REMEMBER, exacto knives are sharp and hot glue is hot :lol Always be careful when using either. If you're a kid, adult supervision is required. If you're an adult that acts like a kid, adult supervision is also required :lol

STEP 1: Cut a whole in the box.

Wait. Scratch that. Dismantle the flash drive:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps2161b2c7.jpg

You don't need any special tools to take the cover off. Once it's removed, use the flat head screwdriver to split apart the sides. Your pieces should be separated like so:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps0986b7e1.jpg

All you need is the small metal rectangle that houses the drive's memory. You don't specifically need a PNY drive, just one that houses the memory in a similar way. You can discard the other pieces.

STEP 2: Dismantle the Ranger Key

Using your philips head screwdriver remove the screws, and take off the back.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps85f2ecff.jpg

Use your flat head screwdriver to lift off the head and key portions.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps62f0bcd5.jpg

Dismantled, your key should look like this:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psd984b57b.jpg

Go ahead and set the key part aside, we won't need it.

Step 3: Making the memory fit

We need to trim down different parts of the ranger key so the memory will fit properly. We'll start off with the back of the legs:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psd0b08db7.jpg

Using your exacto knife, trim parts of the plastic away (just the parts in red). This will allow the drive to sit flush with the back of the legs.

Next, we need to trim away parts of the back.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps0b62787b.jpg

We need to trim enough plastic away that the drive can fit into the ranger body. Cut enough away that there's an empty square space (marked in red).

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps9aba019f.jpg

You're now ready to put it all together.

Step 4: Ranger Key! Assemble!

Now it's time for the hot glue gun. Carefully apply the glue into the space you just made in the back of the ranger and then firmly press the drive into the glue.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psc0d4b0c9.jpg

Make sure the drive is straight both vertically and horizontally before the glue hardens. ALSO, be sure that your drive is the right way up.

When in key/usb mode, it will need to look like this to fit in most standard devices:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps3c0e04d8.jpg

Next step will be to apply glue to the front piece of the ranger. Don't be stingy, overflow can be cleaned up later.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps3b256aed.jpg

Lastly, the only thing left to do is put the screws back in. If any glue seeped out, use your exacto knife to trim it away.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psb7618a28.jpg


Congratulations! Your Ranger Key USB Drive is done! Double check to make sure the legs sit flush with the drive. If you need to take the key apart again to make corrections, the hot glue is merciful.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps21320c84.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psb4303cdb.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps3dc988de.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps7ad780f0.jpg

Thanks goes out to Den-O for donating a ranger key for the project.

If there's any questions about the different steps, just post your question and I'll do my best to clarify.

Clover King was the key that Den-O sent you? Ouch, that's gotta sting for Ranger Key collectors, since he was only released as a Candy Toy. But awesome tutorial! If I had a spare key, I'd use this :lol

The King was a gift. His sacrifice was easy :lol

It's hilarious how well timed this was.
Awesome!

That makes it less bad! :lol

Glad you're getting keys in the mail now, huh? :thumb:

Now they'll have more use than just shelf display.
Except for the apparently special ShinkenBlue.

Thanks for making this man. I might try it when I have an extra one to spare.

Thanks for the tutorial, will definitely be giving this a try at some point!

If the keys come state side then I will try this as well.