Electronic Accessory Charging Dock

The problem: I hate wire clutter. With the batteries I need to charge on all my electronics (cell phone, Bluetooth headset, AA batteries, MP3 player, etc.), my power strip and desk get cluttered quite easily. I wanted a solution to this and I have it.

I created a dock for all my chargeables. It's basically a wooden box with a power strip inside and little holes in the top to let the charging interfaces through. A fairly simple build, if you have all the right tools.

Step 1 Tools & Materials

Just a friendly reminder: Always know the proper use of any of your equipment - read any manuals and take all safety precautions. Safety glasses are recommended in just about any endeavor including tools, so if you think you need them, WEAR THEM. I am not responsible if you hurt yourself attempting this mod and I hope you don't.

Tools:

• Table Saw
• Miter Saw
• Drill Press
• 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8" Forstner bits
• 1/4" chisel
• Wood glue
• Brad nail gun
• 3/4" brad nails
• Wire cutters or scissors

Materials

• 1/4" plywood (I think I used a sheet about 26" x 20", but yours will depend on the size you want)
• 1/4" rubber grommets
• 2x 2" hinges
• Draw catch
• Power strip (really any kind will do, but the one I used is an unusual one)

Comments

[mikolynn]

Why do you use this screws covered with this ugly foam?
You can easily find a bold and nut with the exact measures...

[frazeeg]

I used the screws because that's what came with the hardware. Yes, you could use properly-sized nuts and bolts. Did I? No.

[mikolynn]

;) This is the DIY spirit! Do it with what you got and don't buy anything if you can do it with that.

[akash.rao]

 dosent it like all get heated up ????

[thdewey]

Nice! But I would add some vent holes in the back. Not for the equipment life but yours! There is a remote chance that enough heat could build up in the wooden box could cause a fire. Also, for the top, how about a raised wood bar, say 3/4" above the box that would cover the holes (or lengthen the holes into a slot)? Then the cords would kind of disappear.

[hirenpanchal47]

Good , but it will take More space than Out Side. Think in my home There is two Same Mobile , & I have only one charger for two mobile Than , my plan to go out than which charger i can bring with us , I have only one charger & Two same mobile , I will Bring one mobile , I will left one mobile at home , Do you have any iDea ? What I Need to DO ?

[spideyusa]

How does not having much ventilation effect the life of the transformers powering the chargers?

[frazeeg]

Either it doesn't affect the transformers or I haven't had this running long enough to notice. Well, let me put i this way. I've had my laptop charging brick running basically 24/7 for about a year and a half now (not inside this charging dock, however) and it still works. I'm pretty sure there won't be much difference between ventilated and unventilated, unless you have something that outputs A LOT of heat. Cell phone and personal device chargers I'm sure don't output anywhere enough heat.

[jongscx]

ugh... someone beat me to a gadget dock... again... nice work!

[joejoerowley]

I made one too. I just bought the case from Harbor Freight tools though.