I carry my iPod Touch in my messenger bag back and forth from work. After walking, taking the train and a bus, there’s definitely plenty of chance for the iPod to get jostled and potentially smashed against something hard. So I decided to make my own iPod case to help protect it.

I figured wood would make a great case — it is tough, attractive and easy to maintain. I was also sure I had plenty of scrap stuff lying around here and there in my workshop to put something together. Since it was only for when I wasn’t using it, I decided I didn’t need a window or any holes for earphone jacks to access it.

I used some quarter inch birch plywood for the main sides and pine for the minor sides and ends. For the very bottom I put a false bottom which are connected to a pen spring I cut in half and mounted to the real bottom and the false bottom. This gives a shock absorbing bottom which should help in case of falls.

After cutting the pieces, gluing them together and clamping it, there was just a few things left. I took my Dremel tool and sanded out the hinged top so it gave some extra room for the iPod. I had a couple small spare hinges which worked, but not exactly what I wanted. I ended up throwing on a coat of polyurethane to keep the wood iPod Touch case looking sharp too (more pictures here).

Make sure you read the updated, improved and more beautiful wood iPod case post!

You can also buy wood iPod cases and wood iPhone cases!