I was looking to make my own worm binder as they are too pricey for me. I looked online to get some ideas for this. I saw where someone suggested to use an iron and tin foil to seal plastic bags, of which I could not get to work. Thus I decided to figure it out on my own.

I have some things lying around that will be perfect for doing this. First is an old 3 ring binder. If your pouches are not wide enough, which I doubt they are, simply use only two of the rings for the first page and alternate top and bottom.

Next are the ingredients for the pages. They are:

• zipper bags (size and mil thickness is up to you)
• some printer paper or cereal box (chipboard?)
• a clothes iron
• small towel
• parchment paper
• something to cut the paper.

I started by laying out the towel to protect the countertop and turned the iron to the cotton setting. I cut my paper pieces to roughly 3/4" wide and slid the strip to the bottom of the bag. Next I took a piece of parchment paper big enough to sandwich the bag between. You want the part that will be fused to have the parchment on both sides. If using the printer paper, it will be easily seen through the parchment paper and this makes staying on track a breeze. After the iron has heated up, use only the tip of it (approx. the first inch) at about a 45 deg angle and go from one end to the other at a rate of about 3 to 4 seconds. Your time will vary depending on the width of the bag and the thickness (mil) of the plastic. After you have done one side, flip it over and to the other side the same way.

I used both walmart brand double zipper and some I got at work which are more durable than the walmart ones. Fusing the bag to the paper really was about the same. I think the key is to keep the iron at a steady pressure and pace and don't stay on the corners too long at all or you will melt the plastic away.

I plan on taking the binder and putting some fabric around it with a zipper. I will have to employ my ma-in-law to see if she can sew a zipper for me. Otherwise I will have to learn to be a seamstress...:rolleyes: Another approach would be to take the ringed spine part and place it in some kind of container with a lid.

Bags I used.

Paper inserted into bag.

Position of iron and heat setting.

Paper fused into bag.

Heavy duty parts bag with chipboard paper fused, same heat setting.

I think people like you are refreshing. And a good addition to this site for sure. Most new people I see come in post a couple videos and then that's it. I look forward to seeing what else you post. Have a good weekend. 

These kind of post make for some interesting reading for sure:)

Thanks guys!

Nice work! I gave up on worm binders awhile back because I can't find any that have durable bags. For me the sides of the bags always bust out...

I don't have the affinity towards the binders that many do.  I keep my worms segregated in gallon bags, labeled with types of contents.  Then my gallon bags reside in a duffle that I keep on deck.  Having said that, good on you for coming up with the DIY!  Looks like a nice solution!

Cool idea!!  Let us know how it holds up!!

So far what I have found is I need to be sure that the plastic seals just above the paper. What is happening is the lube on the worms is getting into the paper and making it come apart. 

This is what they call R&D...

This is awesome! I decided to make an instructable out of this. In less than 24 hours, it was featured and I got a 3 month premium membership free. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Fishing-Worm-Binder-Pages/

HA! Whodathunkit???