DIY CONCRETE :: Concrete iPad Stand

This Instructable will demonstrate how to make a concrete iPad stand from a plastic popcorn bucket, it's inspired by a project from the Easy Concrete Projects book. 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.

Skill Level: Beginner

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

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)
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

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

[Fernando el curioso]

very clear and complete explanation. and certainly this support not goes with the wind.

[Fernando el curioso]

very clear and complete explanation. and certainly this support not goes with the wind.

[Metalweasel]

Simple and elegant... I must do this one.

[nitsuj1098]

Cool project, I'm going to have to try it! I just ordered the Cheng countertop book. I can't wait for it to get here!

[Aaron_81]

The form I got had reinforcing ribs in the corners that caused a bit of tear out, but over-all quite pleased. I had been doing some wiring and simplified the process by casting the wire self in the concrete.

[CHENG Concrete]

WOW Nice work on that wire shelf!

Did you just drill two holes in the form and tape the wire in place?

[Aaron_81]

I drilled small holes in the form that were tight enough to need to force the wire through and used a block of Styrofoam to hold the wire in place with the desired spacing. I also bent the wire a bit inside the form for additional security that I doubt is needed, but it is not pulling out without destroying the concrete.

After making a few I tried marking the fill lines on the inside of the form and skipping the cutting of the plastic down. This is not quite as smooth on the base, but a little work with a flat file just after demoldling worked easily and was faster, for me, than sawing the plastic.

Thanks for noticing, I love your work.

[Aaron_81]

That should be shelf...

[laugh medic]

Love your design! To cushion the back, I'd suggest using clear or nearly clear silicone bumpers. These are found in home improvement stores in the same area as one would find the felt bumpers used to quiet closing cabinet doors and drawers. Yours is the sort of project that makes me love instructables.

Well done!

[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!