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44 Fanciful Uses for Dud Discs

by Puzzledd on October 10, 2010

Author:Puzzledd PuzzlEd
I live on the outskirts of Melbourne with my husband and my 20-year-old son. I love the way I can just look out of my window and see gum trees, hills and bird visitors (kookaburras, magpies, rosellas, cockatoos, blue wrens and many more all visit occasionally) - plus kangaroos with their joeys. I teach Reading Intervention at a local primary school, and I like to explore new ideas to motivate and help my students. I have set up several websites to share my teaching resources and ideas (and some fun things), such as computer jigsaws: www.epuzzled.net ; www.freefun-n-games.webs.com and www.poems-for-children.webs.com plus a site for folk-style guitar: www.cathyschords.com... and my newest site with photos of animals etc : www.mypics.22web.net.

Intro: 44 Fanciful Uses for Dud Discs

What do you do with all those dud discs? You know the kind I mean-that CD of Joe Nobody playing Golden Oldies on nose flute that you got for $1 and are too ashamed to give to Auntie Flo after all -the CD you burnt with that one song you were obsessed with, listened to 40,000 times and never want to hear again -the CD your ex gave you with sappy songs you never liked - the free sample film/TV show promo or software CD -the game you played in 1990- and is a bit outdated - the install disc from 3 printers ago, or the camera you lost - the Gonna make you a MILLIONAIRE DVD that seemed good -the DVD you tried to make that wont play on any of your DVD players (or that you maybe wouldnt want anyone to see anyhow) -the CD or DVD you mucked up when you burnt it, - and most annoying of all, the brand new CD that your computer wont record onto no matter what you do! What a waste to throw away these potentially valuable, shiny, beautifully formed objects.. so I set myself the task of coming up with new uses for them- some obvious, some practical, some fun, some just silly. It seemed like a worthwhile thing to do at the time.... and after numerous hours of experimenting and photographing, heres the list.

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Step 1: Fun for kids

1. Make a mini magic magnet skate rink (see pics 1 & 2): make a tiny ice skater from thick paper; tape it into a bent paper clip so it stands up, put it on the shiny side of the disc and use a small magnet underneath to make it move around 2. Make a racetrack from cardboard, make wheelies by gluing discs to both ends of a cotton reel (or something similar), then race your wheelies 3. Make play-dough for your child - pics 3 , 4 & 5 (mix 1 cup/mug of flour and 1/2 cup salt, stir in a large spoonful of cooking oil then add enough hot water to make a firm dough; colour with food colouring); use discs for pretend plates, to cut the dough up to play with, to press it flat and to make patterns in the dough.

Image Notes 1. Use a magnet underneath to move your skaters around

Image Notes 1. Bend a paper clip so it stands up 2. Sticky tape the clip "stand" onto the little skaters

Image Notes 1. Flour 2. Salt 3. Oil 4. food colouring 5. measuring jug or mug

Image Notes 1. Mix well with your hands to make a firm dough

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Step 2: Spinning tops

4. Make a spinning top: find a thick pencil stub or some other short, fat, pointed stick; put it through the hole -use blu-tak, plasticine etc if necessary to make a snug fit; decorate either side if you like with DVD markers. (Note- If youre using a pencil for the shaft, make sure you spin it on a surface that you wont mind being marked by the pencil lead). 5. Experiment with your spinning tops- make thick paper discs to put on top, with different patterns stripes, radiating patterns, spirals, etc- or draw patterns on the shiny side with a DVD marker- and see what happens when you spin the disc 6. Have spinning top competitions see who can spin for longest 7. Make different character spinning tops and battle them use a tray, piece of cardboard or tabletop for a battlefield and see if you can knock your opponents top off the field

Image Notes 1. Use Blu-tak, plasticine or something similar to keep your shaft snug and straight.

Image Notes 1. A fat pen can make a good shaft- but it can't have any handle or it will change the weight distribution.

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Image Notes 1. Paper overlays can be changed. This pattern looks quite different when you spin it! 2. The top in motion!

Image Notes 1. If you use a pencil, it can mark the surface you spin it on, so use an old tray or firm paper (anchor it so it doesn't slip around) 2. Spiral patterns look really good when they spin.

Image Notes 1. Make a fierce face for your battle top.

Step 3: Fun and Games

8. Use discs as Mini Frisbees (photo 1) - but only if you have lots of space and don't throw AT people as they're sharp - better to throw at a (non-living) target or into a container as a contest. 9. Flying Saucers- decorate your discs and see who can throw it highest and furthest 10. Have a competition to see who can roll one the furthest 11. Learn Morse Code and use your disc to reflect a light and flash surreptitious messages from your window at night 12. For older kids (photo 2): join 3 discs together with blobs of Blu-tak (or plasticine), shiny side in, and experiment with a laser pointer or pencil torch to make patterns (make sure you protect your eyes if using a laser; don't angle discs up towards your face)

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Image Notes 1. Mini frisbee

Image Notes 1. Laser pointer

Step 4: Party time

13. Decorate a dark room with discs, shiny side out, around the walls (and hanging), then use fancy lights, including strobe if you can, for a great party effect 14. Use as a base for a thick candle (photo 1) 15. Design a party invitation as a disc label (use your computer), print out, glue onto label side of disc and mail to guests 16. Make a disc-o fancy dress costume: find a colourful (or plain black) dress or top in your wardrobe or buy from a charity shop, then sew or glue discs all over it, shiny side out (photo 2) 17. Use shiny-side up as markers on the ground for, e.g., a torchlight treasure hunt trail at a Halloween or night time kids party

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Step 5: Decorating, photography

18. Find little shiny or metal objects and glue them (with a hot glue gun) onto a disc base to make a mini sculpture 19. Glue a photo in the centre of the shiny side and use as a novel photo frame (prop up with thick, bent card behind) - photo 1 20. Use the shiny side as an emergency reflector to reduce shadow when taking a photo with a flash or in strong light- photo 2 21. Replace an old picture in a frame with a pieces of card with discs glued onto it, to make an unusual wall decoration -photo 3

Image Notes 1. stand your disc reflector up with Blu-tak or plasticene 2. strong shadows are reduced with a reflector

Image Notes 1. Bend a piece of thick card for a stand, and stick onto the disc with glue or tape.

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Image Notes 1. Use your better duds for this- you can see the scratches on this one. 2. crushed velvet makes an effective background

Step 6: Picnics, camping

22. Put one on your glass or can of soft drink when youre outside to keep the wasps off (put a small piece of duct tape over the hole on both sides)- Photo 1 23. Use at an outdoor picnic or party to make a level spot on the grass to rest your wine glass on- Photo 2 24. Use as weights so your picnic table cloth doesnt blow around- peg onto the corners of the cloth - Photo 3 25. Use when camping as a saucer for your tin mug when you have a hot drink - Photo 4 26. Sitting on wet ground? Use four discs to make a little dry patch

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Step 7: Mealtimes, snack time

27. Use as a stand for a teapot Photo 1 28. Use them as drink coasters to protect your table tops Photo 2 29. Put one under your honey pot to catch the drips 30. Use some on your dining table for the cream jug, sauce etc to protect your tablecloth Photo 3 31. Use as a lid to put on your hot mug of coffee Photo 4 32. Use them as hamburger stackers (with greaseproof paper in between)

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Step 8: Household practical uses

33. Use a disc as an emergency plate for pet food Photo 1 34. Use as a bookmark Photo 2 35. Peg a note onto a disc so it doesnt blow away Photo 3 36. Glue a magnet on the back, put a peg on top and use to hold notes on your fridge Photo 4

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Step 9: Outdoors
37. Hang them in the garden to scare birds away from your new seeds, vegies etc 38. Glue or nail onto posts at your gate and along your driveway to act as reflectors - photo 1 39. Use as a mini-shovel in the garden -photo 2

Image Notes 1. Glue/nail onto gateposts to guide your visitors at night

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Step 10: Christmas

40. Make mini snowmen as Christmas decorations: mix salt dough (see " Fun for Kids" for recipe- leave out colouring - this recipe makes one snowman); form into a little snowman about 4 inches/10cm high, place on a disc, shiny side up, sprinkle with a little extra salt and decorate with little twigs, a bottle top hat and a strip of material for a scarf - see photos 1 & 2. 41. Photo 3 - Cut a circular picture out of a Christmas card or paper to cover the non-shiny side, glue it on (add a small loop for a hanger) and hang on your Christmas tree. Use craft glue or strong glue. You can glue tinsel around the edge if you like. 42. Do the same as above, but without the hanger, and put little gift or chocolates on top; wrap up with cellophane and tie at the top for a novel gift presentation 43. Stick a thin candle through the hole and use as a drip collar for Carols by Candlelight -Photo 4

Image Notes 1. Insert a small stick into the snowman to keep the parts together; break off the top. 2. Twigs to use for features and walking stick.

Image Notes 1. Tiny bits of twig make the face 2. Bottle top hat 3. strip of material for a scarf 4. Twig "walking stick" 5. Extra salt sprinkles for "snow"

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Image Notes 1. Put handle of gift tie or string in between picture and disc; glue in (or tape onto disc then glue picture on). 2. Cut a colourful circular picture out of an old Christmas card.

Image Notes 1. Your candle needs to be thin enough to fit through the hole 2. bottom of candle is the "handle" 3. decorate the disc with permanent markers if you like.

Step 11: And finally...

44. Drive your nosy family mad: label a dud disc my Top Secret files and leave lying around... Have fun! How many more uses can you find for these handy little discs?

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Related Instructables

CD/DVD Placeholders by dedrawolff

DIY-Simple Use of Trashed CDDVDs (video) by Samimy

Ceiling fixture with CDs & DVDs (Photos) by viraroque

Bookend made of CDs. by 13senses

Re-surfacing CDs so they work again. by germanpickle

Table lamp made of CDs/DVDs (Photos) by viraroque

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 120 comments

valhallas_end says:

Oct 10, 2010. 7:59 AM REPLY For the plinkers of the world, if your range is tolerable (and you make an effort to clean up broken parts, or create a blind that will automatically catch all plastic), CD's make excellent targets for small arms. There's a satisfying shattering when you miss the "bulls-eye" hole, and if you do manage to squeeze a small caliber through the center, it often leaves a flash mark as proof. Unfortunately, my current range does not allow this...but my old one used to - great fun for those hundreds of AOL disks I collected over the years with no aim in mind. For the rest of the world, if your neighbors (and village/town/city police, etc.) are tolerable, you can glue two disks back to back (shiny sides out) and hang them from fishing line or similar from trees so they can spin in the wind. We created an entire CD tree which everyone loved (until our village decided the flash could possibly distract drivers...after two years of the village council copying us...and one of them finally got in trouble with a passing-through county sheriff). Hang them from sculptures, foliage, eaves, etc. The spinning creates great patterns, and if you have colored spotlights, you can have an outdoor disco.

rimar2000 says:
A music transposer

Oct 10, 2010. 3:54 PM REPLY

mole1 says:
These are GREAT ideas! Love the giant sequin effect and the flashlight treasure hunt.

Oct 10, 2010. 4:31 PM REPLY

Six doubled CD's are hanging outside my now. They look entirely different from what I had expected when holding them indoors. Beautiful!

Puzzledd says:
Thanks for your feedback :) That's a good idea to hang the CDs double!

Oct 10, 2010. 6:49 PM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
Interesting... not sure quite how it would work. I do have instructions for a key transposer wheel (made on cardboard) on my website, www.cathyschords.com I would be interested to see how you could do one with a CD:)

Oct 10, 2010. 6:51 PM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
The targets sound lots of fun - do you hang them up? Hard to get through the hole! I guess it would be too hard to throw them up like clay pigeons ... I LOVE your CD tree! If you had somewhere near lights and away from the road, it could be spectacular and safe too. Thanks for the ideas!

Oct 10, 2010. 6:56 PM REPLY

rimar2000 says:
CLICK ON THE LINK!!

Oct 10, 2010. 7:12 PM REPLY

valhallas_end says:

Oct 10, 2010. 8:50 PM REPLY Heh we kind of cheated and just taped them to the target backing boards (particle boards set upright). That way, if the hole is over a clean section of board, you can also see a nice hole in the board appear, and then the burn on the CD for proof later. I actually have seen people who use CD's for skeet, though - if you glue about 10 of them together, and are in a nice, wide open, unregulated area (I've run into skeet shooters in Arizona and Utah), they make great substitutes for clays. Although, you really want someone else to throw (preferably not completely drunk, either, as the shooters from Arizona were) - the plastic doesn't shatter as nicely as clays and can launch horrid splinters at you. The CD tree was fantastic, and we eventually did recreate one in our backyard (enclosed by a fence). They're also really fun to hang over a fish pond - back when we had fish (who were incredibly curious about light flashes and not the least bit scared), we had a number dangling on lines over the pond. The multiple reflections looked stunning, especially with red and green spotlights.

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Puzzledd says:

Oct 11, 2010. 1:08 AM REPLY Sounds like lots of fun! I used to have friends with rifles, and loved target shooting. We live on 20 acres so shooting is a bit dangerous here with properties bordering ours (plus we don't know enough about guns to be safe)- but we do have dozens of rabbits:( The fish pond set-up sounds lovely, too.

Puzzledd says:
Oh, of course- silly me! Thank you. Your music transposer looks really good, and very hardy.

Oct 11, 2010. 6:58 AM REPLY

Mine is just made from cardboard, but I laminated it and it has lasted well. I thought I might do an Instructable on it one day when I get time, but I have clear instructions on my website.

valhallas_end says:

Oct 11, 2010. 7:24 AM REPLY Are there any ranges you could visit? We found our new range by sheer luck - the man my aunt married is the director of safety at the sportsman's club, as well as a repeat pistol champion. Oct 11, 2010. 10:43 AM REPLY I am looking your website, it is very good one. Look mine, www.rimar2000.com.ar. Maybe you must use Google Translator. I did an song book too, for me and my nephews. It contains Argentine folk, tango and a few pops. I have a "decent" spanish guitar, but long ago I do not touch it.

rimar2000 says:

Puzzledd says:

Oct 11, 2010. 4:34 PM REPLY There probably are- but I already have so many interests (Instructables is my latest) that I can't fit them all in - if only we didn't need to sleep ;sigh; Thanks for the suggestion, tho!

DGW says:

Oct 14, 2010. 6:25 AM REPLY Some good ideas. I just saw some on a roadside tree as a reflector and they were highly visible. Another great idea is to use them as scales on a large fish sculpture, (See image below).

HollyHarken says:

Oct 14, 2010. 6:48 AM REPLY Many years ago I came up with this idea. Take a string of Christmas lights with the clear 7 or 9 bulbs. Remove the bulb, put the disk in between the bulb shiny side down to act as a reflector and then screw in the bulb. I use them a camp around the dining canopy. The best time to buy a set of lights is after Christmas when they are 50 percent off. Also buy a few packs of replacement lights for when the bulbs burn out. I also use CD's to scare birds away from my black berry bushes. I drilled a small hole in the top and strung some clear fishing line on them and then hung them on the branches of my berry bush.

ventifact says:
Disks with bright day-glo covers make good targets for "snorkel Hunt" games in the pool or shallow water. Plant markers. Stringing several together by their edges is a flashy kite tail.

Oct 14, 2010. 7:34 AM REPLY

eydryan says:

Oct 14, 2010. 8:08 AM REPLY using CDs as frisbees is a VERY BAD IDEA! they have enough speed and sharpness to cut skin and you could really get hurt with one of those. of course, the farther you throw the less energy it retains but still could be a dangerous toy so be careful with them! Oct 14, 2010. 8:37 AM REPLY

karen.edwards says:
use color yarn to create multiple "chain" of CDs and use them to create a room divider or curtain.

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

gabyripple says:

Oct 14, 2010. 9:40 AM REPLY I bet you could pin them to your clothes and use them as cheapo reflectors while out jogging/biking/whatever at night - just hotglue a safety pin to the matte side and away you go!

bgcyclist says:
Make a drop spindle for spinning fiber into yarn. It's a great beginner's tool.

Oct 14, 2010. 9:57 AM REPLY

GMer56 says:

Oct 14, 2010. 11:14 AM REPLY 45. Place 2 discs over your eyes (so you can see through the center holes) and secure in place with a (large) rubber band. Very froody glasses. 46. Attach to clothing to make self more visible other vehicles at night, while walking, shoveling snow, etc. 47. Heat in boiling water and cut out a sawblade pattern. Useful for scaring people. 48. Use for target practice. if the cd survives the heat from the bullets (and holes) make nice patterns on the disc, but make sure the cd isn't reflecting the sun at you ^^

Ninzerbean says:
How cool!

Oct 14, 2010. 11:51 AM REPLY

RaNDoMLeiGH says:
I've used them for a few projects:

Oct 14, 2010. 6:49 PM REPLY

drilled a hole near the "top" edge with a 1" spade bit and used it as a planchette for a handcrafted spirit board -- sometimes decorating with paper, sometimes just using a blank frisbee disc, covered with paper and painted up for a pendulum board, melted and warped creatively for Arty Art (use a microtorch and hold the thing with pliers) (this is more satisfying than it ought to be), used to make a platter type display for my table at crafty shows, drilled lots of little holes in them (I heart my drill press) and hung earrings from the edge, epoxied a dowel rod though the hole and stuck the whole thing in a bucket of marbles for a display (do more than one and at different levels for a whimsical effect), chopped them up carefully with a fine-bladed jewellery saw and made earrings, charms, bracelets, magnets, and ornaments out of the pieces, made a curtain out of them so it's shiny on one side and decoupaged Arty Deep Thoughts re: communication on the label side, glued to a convex clock lens of exactly the same diameter for a scrying tool (paint the inside of the clock lens black). Glued a strong magnet inside so the thing is magnetic, and created shiny mobiles from whole and chopped up CDs.

sparkleponytx says:
Good instructable. Love the up-cycle ideas.

Oct 14, 2010. 11:16 PM REPLY

Another idea--cut up or break into small pieces. Use them as mosaic tiles. You can use regular mosaic style glue--just wipe off any smears. Then grout. Clean.

Puzzledd says:
The Christmas lights sound lovely!

Oct 14, 2010. 11:35 PM REPLY

Did the CDs work to scare away the birds? Someone told me they wouldn't- but maybe that's our Aussiebirds- budgies love their own reflection! Thanks for the ideas:)

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Puzzledd says:
Great ideas- thanks!

Oct 14, 2010. 11:37 PM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
These sound a bit complicated for me - but fabulous! Thanks for sharing them!!

Oct 15, 2010. 1:36 AM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
WOW! How gorgeous is that!

Oct 15, 2010. 1:40 AM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
Thanks- the reflector on clothes at night is excellent - I'll ue that when I go for walks:)

Oct 15, 2010. 1:46 AM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
Great idea! Thanks! I went and bought reflective strips,but CDs would really reflect well :)

Oct 15, 2010. 6:57 AM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
Thanks for the warning! We have lots of space and don't throw hard, but you're quite right- they could hurt. They'd be OK thrown at a (non-living) target, or into a container :)

Oct 15, 2010. 7:02 AM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
Sounds good! Thanks:)

Oct 15, 2010. 7:03 AM REPLY

tcup says:
That is interesting, could you pass on some instructions?

Oct 15, 2010. 7:52 AM REPLY

Sewicked says:
49. Decorate the non-shiny side with pictures (drawn, cut from magazines, etc) and hang several of them as a mobile. 50. Tie several of them together with colorful yarn and string for a very shiny, '90's take on a 70's fashion' belt

Oct 15, 2010. 12:32 PM REPLY

bgcyclist says:
Here's a like that can explain it better than can. http://danielson.laurentian.ca/qualityoflife/Fulltext/Textiles/Making_a_cd_drop_spindle.htm

Oct 15, 2010. 3:16 PM REPLY

bgcyclist says:
Here's a like that can explain it better than can. http://danielson.laurentian.ca/qualityoflife/Fulltext/Textiles/Making_a_cd_drop_spindle.htm

Oct 15, 2010. 3:16 PM REPLY

tcup says:
Thank you, that was very helpful.

Oct 15, 2010. 4:18 PM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
Nice ones, thanks!

Oct 15, 2010. 5:45 PM REPLY

Puzzledd says:

Oct 15, 2010. 5:49 PM REPLY That's an excellent link, thanks! It's a very clear explanation for spinners- (I wasn't quite sure what a drop spindle was) :)

CrimsonXLR says:

Oct 17, 2010. 7:23 PM REPLY Awesome, I have alot of CD/DVD coasters around so now I can put them to good use by printing photos and such other things on them.

http://www.instructables.com/id/44-Fanciful-Uses-for-Dud-Discs/

Puzzledd says:

Oct 18, 2010. 1:03 AM REPLY Yes! I hadn't thought of printing but of course you can do DVD labels- that would make great coasters etc -thanks for that idea!

eydryan says:
yes they would :D

Oct 18, 2010. 1:25 AM REPLY

but I'm telling you that out of experience, we played at a party with cds and a friend got his lip cut and another had a nice gash on his nose from them. they're fast and moderately sharp. but either way, the point is having fun :D

Puzzledd says:
Oh, gosh! Thanks for letting us know- certainly caution is called for!! I'll revise that idea in the Instructable.... and suggest the other ways of using them :)

Oct 18, 2010. 2:00 AM REPLY

Puzzledd says:

Oct 24, 2010. 10:55 PM REPLY Check out http://www.instructables.com/id/CD-Art/ for beautiful CD artwork by Swapnal- easy and so effective. It no doubt helps to be artistic too, but even a simple design would look great!

Puzzledd says:
This sounds a really cool idea! Thanks for sharing it :)

Jan 30, 2011. 4:14 AM REPLY

alajnabiya says:

Sep 2, 2011. 9:00 AM REPLY

You can cut up CDs to make the little mirrors used in "shisha" embroidery. I got the idea from this blog http://loopylace.com/anniescrazyworld/?p=570 I have also made crochet hot pads (trivets) with a CD inside to protect the table from hot pots.

flyingpuppy says:
LOVE these ideas! Here's another: a kaleidoscope looking glass. Fun for kids and can be used as a camera lens.

Jul 12, 2012. 5:57 AM REPLY

Puzzledd says:
That's a fun idea, and useful to know how to cut CDs (if you have tin snips...). Thanks for the idea:)

Jul 12, 2012. 8:14 AM REPLY

flyingpuppy says:
What fun ideas! Here's another to add:

Jul 12, 2012. 5:54 AM REPLY

AL1967 says:
Put in Microwave for no more then ten seconds see sparks track through disk then take out and hold up toward light to see the lightning tracks, its a fun way to destroy data on old disks. I repeat no more then ten seconds because plastic will start to heat up and smell does not harm microwave oven but your Wife or Mother may not like it

Oct 16, 2010. 10:15 AM REPLY

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