Padlocks can be a headache like few others, or something truly fascinating for those who want to learn exactly how they work. That sets the need to absorb details related to keys and locks, and the potential of 3D printing when it comes to compromising their security. The market offers several options in transparent padlocks that serve as training, but what if you build one with cardboard, plastic, and lots of glue...?
I admit it's not such a simple project, and to be honest, that condition extends (in part) to everything made of cardboard. Personally, I have very bad memories of the models they asked me for at school, spending whole weekends between fits of frustration and my parents' shouts, only for the teacher to look at it for a minute and send me to do it again.
However, the giant cardboard padlock aims to be entertaining above all else. If even Nintendo trusts the versatility of cardboard, I think the effort to reproduce what we'll see below is worth it...
Watch the Tutorial
By far, the most complicated part is developing the lock's cylinder, especially because it uses transparent parts that allow us to see its complete action, but I imagine our readers will be able to cut corners here and combine other resources.
As expected, the amount of glue needed is very important, and if someone decides to stop once the lock is finished, that's not a bad point to do so. The rest of the padlock requires cardboard sheets with multiple vertical cuts that help us achieve the cylindrical shape required for the shackle.
Now, the video doesn't give us any clues about the final cost of the project. Lots of cardboard, glue, some pieces of wood, plastic, the springs for the lock pins... the materials list is quite clear even without a precise guide, but everyone is invited to improvise.
