DIY CONCRETE :: Concrete iPad Stand

This DIY CONCRETE  Instructable will demonstrate how to make a concrete iPad stand from a plastic popcorn bucket. No previous experience working with concrete is necessary, but you should be comfortable cutting thin plastic with a hand saw, shaping styrofoam, mixing and pouring concrete, cutting away the plastic form, sanding the base, and making the shelf that supports the device from wood or tile.

With this simple popcorn form, you can create a range of small scale, easy to make DIY concrete projects that are both beautiful and functional for your home. Find some more ideas on how to personalize your concrete work with rubber stamps, leaf impressions, decorative concrete inlays, and more advanced knockouts.

Skill Level: Beginner

Time Required: 1-2 hours + 2 days to cure

Estimated Cost: $6 per unit *
* (does not include taxes, tools, or shipping)

Weight: 4-6 pounds

Materials:
Plastic Popcorn Form ($1 section at Target)
Sacked Concrete Mix  - NON-Aerated, 5000 psi is ideal (one 60lb bag will produce about 12 of these forms)
CHENG Pro-Formula Mix (1 cubic foot box per two 60lb bags, $21.45 to $70.95)
CHENG Sealer
CHENG Wax
Styrofoam (small scrap pieces)
Wood (.5" thick)
2 Part Epoxy

Tools:
Ruler
Permanent Marker
Clear Packing Tape
Hand Saw (Japanese style with fine / medium teeth)
Razor Blade / Utility Knife
Sand Paper / Handheld Diamond Polishing Pad
Slotted Screw Driver / Phillips Screw Driver
1/16" drill bit
Silicone (100% silicone, window and door sealant)
Rubber Gloves
Safety Glasses
Buckets for Mixing
Plastic Scraper

Reference Material: Many parts of this process including the consistency of the concrete mix, concrete forming or mold-making, sealing and waxing concrete, and maintaining the beauty of concrete can be referenced in Concrete Countertops Made Simple Book and DVD Guide by Fu-Tung Cheng. Easy Concrete Projects and Concrete Garden Projects are also fun references for do-it-yourself concrete planters, desktop objects and more.

Step 1 Measure, Mark + Cut the Concrete Form

1.1 Mark two adjacent corners at 7½” and the other two at 6¾”.  Draw four lines connecting the dots with the permanent marker. This is the cut line.

1.2 To help support the plastic container while cutting, cut a styrofoam block ( about 3¾" x 3¾" ) and push it in the opening of the form.

1.3 Starting from one corner, gently saw back and forth to start a straight cut. Go slowly at first, alternating back and forth between corners until you can connect the slices and cut through. Repeat on the remaining sides until the cut is complete.

1.4 Clean up the edges of the plastic with some rough sand paper ( 80-100 grit ) and be careful not to scratch the inside of the form (any scratches WILL be transferred to the concrete).

Comments

[tim_n]

Nice - though something soft like a bit of felt to cushion the back would work to stop it scratching during use, but would distract from the look you're trying to achieve. Maybe stick felt to the ipad? :)

[HMBeck]

That is awesome! The glass and grey concrete go so well; especially with the white iPad!

[CHENG Concrete]

Thanks for the comments!

The 'stone' Pro-Formula and the green glass look great together, but a wood shelf looks good too, and it's a lot easier to cut if you don't have a tile saw!

Here's a version with the shelf made from beech wood holding a samsung galaxy tablet. All the best,

[bertus52x11]

Very, very nice!