ReadyMade: Instructions for everyday life

In each 16” wood strip, pre-drill four holes: a hole 2” from each end, then one 6” from each end.

Mark a 29 1/4” x 47 1/2” rectangle on the cardboard, and cut it out with a utility knife and metal ruler.

Lay it down with the long side toward you, and mark vertical lines 18”, 20 1/4”, and 38 1/4” in from the left edge. Follow steps 4 through 8 from the backpack project, but note that there are no wood strips on the narrow bottom of the portfolio, so in step 6, just make sure the cardboard is snug. In step 5, omit the leftmost screw; in step 8, omit the middle-right screw.

Proceed with steps 9 and 10, measuring up 2 1/4” and 6” up from the top edge of the portfolio for the folds in the lid.

To attach the strap, with the closed lid of the portfolio facing away from you, remove the bottom two screws in the right-hand wood strip. Slide one end of the strap beneath the strip and wrap it around twice to secure it. Make sure it exits to the left from beneath the wood strip. Reattach the screws. Remove the bottom two screws from the left-hand wood strip, and slide the strap under it, leaving the desired amount of slack. Reattach the screws. Flip the portfolio around so that the lid is facing you. Remove the bottom two screws in the right-hand wood strip and slide the strap under it. Reattach the screws. Pull the strap to the left side of the portfolio. Remove the bottom two screws in the left-hand wood strip and slide the strap under it, wrapping the strap around the strip a few times to secure it. Make sure the slack on this side equals the slack on the other side. Reattach the screws.

Go off the AutoCAD grid.

The basic principles behind the construction of the portfolio are the same as those outlined for the cardboard backpack. However, there are some key differences (beyond the obvious size variance): The portfolio does not have wood strips on its narrow bottom; its long wood strips need four screws, not three; its lid does not have a piece of wood to slide under the crossbeam; and its strap is different.

Carry That Weight