In this instructable I will turn my scratch map into one on wich you can pin the destinations where you've been.

What if you're visiting a large country, for instance Brazil or China, and you will only be travelling to one place or city. Do you have to scratch the whole country away, or that one place? That's why I made a pin-it scratch map. A normal scratch map on a softboard with a simple frame so I can scratch away the complete country and prick thumbtacks in the places I've visited.

This instructable is simple and there is no need for machines, just hand tools only.

enjoy!

Step 1: Materials and Tools

For this instructable you won't need much materials or tools. That's also what makes this a fun build.

Materials:

1) Scratch map (81,9 cm x 58,2 cm) (32,2 inch x 22.9 inch)

2) Softboard (same or bigger than the map)

3) Woodglue

4) plastic U profile (at least 3 m or 9.84 ft)

5) Duct-tape and cleartape

6) Something to hang the map on the wall (could be paperclips with a nail and rope or a ringscrew and somesort of a hook)

Tools:

1) Dremel with a sanding tool

2) Scissors

3) Spatula

4) knife

5) protractor

Step 2: The Softboard

The softboard needs to be the same size as your scratch map. It would be ideal if you can purchase a softboard that already has those sizes, but if not just get a bigger one. To know where to cut and sand the wood I marked the map with a pen. My first attempt on resizing the softboard was with a knife but that makes it ugly so I took my dremel out with the sanding tool and sanded de sides until I had the right size. Be aware of the fact that sanding the sides of a softboard with a dremel produces an inredible amount of sawdust so it might be handy to do it near the vacuumcleaner hose. If your softboard is a lot bigger than the scratch map you could cut and break the board first around the map dimensions with some backlash and then sand the last edges.

Step 3: The Frame

For the frame I used a black plastic U profile which fits nicely around the edges. I had two lengths of 2,60M (8,5 feet) which is in total 5,20M (17 feet). With my knife I cut out 4 pieces of the profile slightly bigger than the actual sizes of the sides. One piece for each side. After I did that I took the ends of each profile to make a 45 degree angle in order to make the 4 frame pieces join together nicely when attaching them to the softboard. You could use a protractor to see if you're cutting it out well. I made the profiles in the beginning slightly bigger because you will lose the extra length when you cut the 45 degree angle out. When you've done that lay the pieces in a row with the short lengths and the long lengths alternately with the inside pointing up (see picures). Take out your ducttape and tape the insides to each other so they are attached. When all the lengths are taped together flip over the complete row and do the same thing on the other side but this time with clear tape (see the last picture). Then your frame will be kept together strong enough.

Step 4: Complete It!

Take the softboard and squeeze the glue all over it. When you've done that spread the glue over the board with a spatula so it will be nice and even. Then take your map out, lay it on the board and press the map on it. Once it's dried you'll have to get your frame and fold it around the edges. In order to make the frame close at the end, take a small piece of ducttape and tape the beginning and the end of the frame together on the inside. After that do the same thing on the outside with the clear tape. And that is pretty much it, simple as that.

Step 5: Hang Your Map on the Wall

My wall happens to be plasterboard so I was able to screw the screw with the ring at the end in the wall by hand. If your wall happens to be from a stronger material you should drill a hole that is slightly smaller first and then twist the screw in it. The hook on my map is normaly used to hang up curtains but works just fine in this case. I pricked the small side right in the middle somewhere in the upper part of the board so the wider side would fall in the ring on the screw. I think it would also work if you take two paperclips, prick them in the softboard and strain a little rope between them, you could hang it over a nail that you've hammered in the wall. Whatever you think is the easiest way.

Step 6: Finished

The end result is very nice. The more you travel the more fun you'll have with the map. I haven't travelled that much yet but I sure will. I also haven't pined it yet because I must first buy the pin's but I will definitely do that too! I hope you've enjoyed this instructable and love to see your version of it. Good luck building!