How to Make a Plywood Carabiner

It’s not strong enough for climbing, but you can use this simple wooden clip to secure your stuff.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 3-inch carabiner
• 3⁄8″ birch plywood
• Pencil
• Drill
• 1⁄4″ drill bit
• Coping saw
• Sandpaper
• Water-based polyurethane

WHAT YOU’LL DO

1. Place a real carabiner on the plywood and trace around the inside and outside edges with a pencil. If the edge of the plywood is cut clean and has a straight side, you may want to position the carabiner in a way that makes use of the plywood’s edge (see image for step 3).

2. Drill a 1/4″ starter hole against the inside pencil line. The starter hole is necessary so you insert the coping saw saw blade.

3. Use the coping saw to cut out the inside of the carabiner first, then the outside.

4. Cut the carabiner opening.

5. Sand smooth, and apply the water-based polyurethane.

6. Your wooden carabiner is complete. Spread the opening to attach items to the carabiner. Although birch plywood is strong and can be bent, it’s still not a good idea to open the carabiner too much. There is always a chance it could break.

Note: Not to be used for climbing or safety.