Build a furniture quality Laptop Stand and TV Tray

An easy to build and assemble Laptop Stand/TV Tray that will become an integral part of your living room. With an adjustable tilt top, it can adjust to hold a laptop computer at the perfect typing angle, or go flat to hold a glass and plate for a meal in front of the TV. The parts are readily available at your local hardware store, and just a few basic tools will enable you to complete the project.

I chose this design so that it would be easy to build by anyone with basic tool skills, and so it can be easily customized .

Features:
-PVC conduit fits neatly over the pipes and can be color matched with the base for a nice aesthetic appeal.
-A spring based tilt adjustment, that is both strong and flexible so that you won't bang your leg on it.
-Can be built using used material.

The video below is for clarification and reference. To build, follow the more detailed step by step instructions in the panels above.

Step 1: Parts and Tool List

i. 25lb barbell plate-Olympic size
ii. (2) 1-inch pipe floor flanges, galvanized
iii. 45 degree 1-inch pipe elbow, galvanized
iv. 90 degree 1-inch pipe elbow, galvanized
v. 1-inch close nipple, galvanized
vi. 12 in. 1-inch pipe, galvanized
vii. 18 in. 1-inch pipe, galvanized
viii. (6) 1/4-20 by 1/2 inch set screws
ix. 36 inches of 1 1/2 inch Schedule 40 conduit
x. (4) 1 1/4 inch 1/4-20 Flat head bolts and nuts, washers, and lock washers
xi. (4) 3/4 inch 1/4-20 Flat head bolts and nuts, washers, and lock washers
xii. (5) 1/2 inch #10 Flat head wood screws
xiii. (2) 1/2 inch #8 Pan head wood screws
xiv. 2 inch length of 1/4 inch copper tubing
xv. 8 inch x 1/2 inch extension spring
xvi. 5 inch wide gate hinge
xvii. 3/8 inch pipe coupler, brass
xviii. 1 Adjustable chair/table leg foot, metal with 1/4-20 stud
xix. (2) 3/4 inch x 3/16 inch doughnut magnets
xx. (2) 1 1/2 inch Aluminum binding posts (Servalite part -Available at OSH stores)
xxi. (2) 1 inch round 1/8 inch hole fender washers (steel)
xxii. (1) 11 inch x 14 inch x 3/4 inch bamboo cutting board

Tools List
i. 1/2 inch Power Drill
ii. 1/8, 1/4, 9/64, 13/64, 9/16 Inch Regular Drill Bits
iii. 3/8,1/2 inch Bullet Point Drill Bits
iv. Counter Sinking Bit
v. Dremel Tool and 1/8 inch round, flat bottomed side cutting bit
vi. Vise and clamps
vii. Hack saw
viii. 1/4-20 Tap and handle, with correct drill bit
ix. 3/4 inch Forstner Bit
x. Allen wrench for set screws
xi. #2 Phillips screw driver

Comments

[halibetlector]

Great project, but it would be nice for some explanation as to why you constructed it the way you did. For example, is there a functional purpose to the PVC, or is that purely decorative? Also, why use a spring instead of a non-threaded rod the same size? What's the benefit / tradeoff? A small description for what each step is for could be good too (at first I was baffled as to why you'd tap holes into the elbows, as it was never explained).

[Toga_Dan]

Steel pipe thread can be a bit sharp. I suspect the pvc might make it more comfortable to grab + move. I might go with ABS and no paint. Perhaps find the right solvent to take the lettering off.

[cybergap]

Thanks for the comment and feedback. The short response to your request for more detail, is that my external hard disk fell on the floor and I lost 60 percent of my footage, so I had to paste together what I had left before the deadline. :-) The PVC is for decoration, to cover the pipe threads and provide a more finished look. The spring is used instead of a rod, so that you don't injure your leg when moving around the stand, and because it's an interesting characteristic of this type of spring that it is very strong when compressed vertically. I'll add some more detail in the descriptions. Thanks for the feedback.

[cybergap]

No, not from the stand. It hit the floor in Key West, 3000 miles from the stand. ;-)

[xr7vr0]

Ouch. I hope your hard drive didn't fall from this stand. That wouldn't be the best boost for your project. If it fell from this stand maybe a modification is in order (i.e. added storage). This would also set your stand even farther apart from the traditional, store-bought laptop stand. This is a very cool project and you have an awesome shop.

[bagherifar]

thanks .
very good

[dbinnc]

would love to see this updated to be articulated. I want to be able to put it on the floor to the right of my couch and be able to swing it out or to me.

[flex001]

wow wow wow, great suff, i love to build things.i love thinking out side the box  to make stuff, spending a weekend to make something which you would probably spend a couple of hundred bucks to purchase. whats your next project....????.

http://www.mobile-gadget-place.com

Seth Elliot

[TojoReeves]

I imagine if one were to make one of these but to make it telescoping, it'd be a great Rock Band 3 keyboard stand.

[idacil]

Muito legal.Parabéns!
Very nice.Congratulations!

[syn123]

Nice work!

[Hisart]

Very professional!

[jerfalcon]

Very nice work, and this is simply a strking demonstration of creativity! Good job. Thank you

[napoleaum]

outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!
nicely done!!!
the only change i would do to it is building it with some adjustable stuff instead of the elbows, because it would make it easier to use in bed.
otherwise, congratulations!!! this is one of the best i'bles i've seen here!
5/5 stars!

[explosivemaker]

would be either a good idea to put wheels on it, or add a piece of felt/etc. to the bottom to prevent scratching the floor....

[kilroy1958]

fantastic! i have been trying to figure out some thing like this for some time. i will save my weights for lifting though... as i work in the oil patch, i have access to threaded and 'blind' flanges. threaded, of course have a threaded hole of almost any size you want, depending on the flange. usually they are half inch thick or more, depending on the pressure rating. a three inch 9/1500 (900 to 1500 psi) threaded to two inch would be plenty heavy enough. i will check at work tomorrow. if i go with this idea, (going through separation at the moment) i will post pics. i will try to remember the camera and get some flange pics for "y'all"! later....

[bobbeth6]

As another commentor suggested, wouldn't regular PVC joining give you the same asctetic at a fraction of the cost? Cementing PVC is so easy, and doesn't require machining. I don't know if it is rigid enough or of sufficient mass for the purposes of stablility need for this project. The tilt table with springs, hinge, and magnetic fixtures is another matter, but as for base and leg, PVC could be filled with sand or other material to accomplish these characeristics of mass and rigidity. This is not a criticism as I think the poster did a masterful job in his design and production including the professionally done video and instructable text. Well done. Thank you!

[waisto]

Very cool and unique laptop stand. I want one, but I'm not sure I could build it myself. How much would you charge for one of these? I'm interested in having one built if the price is right. Thank you.

[cybergap]

Hey!

Thanks for the interest. I would love to build one for you. You might be surprised by the cost though. The materials alone are $115. If you add labor, crating, and shipping, we're probably looking at $250. If you are still interested, let me know and we'll get the details on the what color you would like, and shipping costs.

You can see my site for similar products...

http://www.gaplessproductions.com

Greg

[arc_13]

love it, time for me to make one. the video was great!!!

[soujanya]

Great Invention. I will surely try it, I use laptop a lot mostly on my lap and for long hours and already strained my neck this one is simple and good. Great job and Good Luck - Soujanya

[Michael R Lacey]

Functional and fun to look at due to its uniqueness. I would like to buy one.

[lpless]

Great laptop stand!!!!! This sould come out as a kit for people to build, no trips to the hardware store, Lowe's or Home Depot. Keep up the good work.

[shiks]

Great project and Great thinking. I will surely try it at my end. Most of the time, I end up keeping the laptop on my lap and long hours means sprain in neck :). but this one is really good. It is light and handy....great job and all the best. Shikha

[wilsonmanhem]

its really a simple and cool idea-gr8

[krishmuddana]

good work its realy a great job ..

[brd007]

Great idea and great video -- Hope this dream come true. Anjay

[rick94301]

Great presentation! You have the on-screen presentation skills, and video editing talent to do a TV series! All you need is a tool vendor sponsor and a network introduction. Hope you get "discovered".

[dianriker]

This is not simply a useful piece of furniture but a rather beautiful piece of metal "sculpting."

[crackerhouse]

Super cool idea and great video -- you should be on tv!

[grapeaid]

you make it look so easy_{,loved the demonstration. thanks}.Frank

[gvarga]

Great work, excellent presentation. I need to reflect on jogscx’s note above. In my opinion one of the most important points of this work (similarly to the website it is presented on) is creative exploration. Without that you would not have your table much less you would have your laptop to put it on. For this reason I believe that all attempts of art and creativity should be appreciated and embraced. Especially since most people do not have the motivation, talent and courage to explore beyond the ordinary. Unfortunately some will only exercise their gift to criticize the ones who dare trying.

[grokker]

Nice project, & great video! The magnetic pop-ups look like a great touch. Thanks!

[jrnot]

Great project! I am going to build one as soon as I finish my honey-do list.

[allindsay]

Instead of tapping iron flanges you could buy Kee Klamps. They are also called Speed Clamps or Speed Rail. They already have tapped allen screws and they come in all the same shapes as iron fittings. You can find them at fencing supply companies or Theatreical Supply companies like BMI (bmisupply.com). These will cost alitte more but save you time.

[ClayOgre]

Some light oil or tapping fluid such as Tap Magic would help with this process and make it so that you are less likely to break a tap.

[cybergap]

Thanks for the comment, and you are right. Oil never hurts, and in solid steel it's an absolute must. The cast iron fittings on this project are surprisingly easy to tap, so you can forego the oil and still get a really nice thread without risk of breaking a tap this size.

[ClayOgre]

I have broken my share of taps (I work in a factory that makes diesel engines), and know from personal experience what a headache they can be to remove (and this is with things like a burnout machine to electrically "dissolve" the broken tap, or tap extractors...which can break, too) ...I'd hate to think what it would be like to try and remove a busted tap without such toys.

[fwjs28]

that looks really cool, however, it would be even better with movable joints.

[CaseyCase]

For those of you out there who don't want to drill and tap, you might consider JB Welding your metal bits and pieces together. Just really prep them well before you get to gluing. Excellent project, by the way!