Retro gamer adjustable mobile stand

 by bad pixel
Featured
IMG_8404.jpg
I've always loved gaming. Since my Atari back in the day, video games always get my attention. But in all my gaming history, the biggest highlight for me has to be when I got my Game Boy. That meant complete freedom. I could play whatever I wanted whenever I wanted in privacy. No TV was needed. Since then, other platforms have come and gone, but the Game Boy is always something special for me.

Years have passed and I can now enjoy my old Game Boy games on my Nexus One.
On screen keys are not ideal for serious gaming though, so with the help of of an android app, Wii Controller IME i can now connect a wiimote to my phone and enjoy the feel of real keys.

This though created a new situation. I now needed a stand to set my mobile on so I can lean back and enjoy.
The stand needed to be adjustable to accommodate different scenarios. Whether that would be gaming on the desk or leaning back on the couch. After a few days of pondering this, I remembered my LEGO.

This is the result after a few hours of tinkering. It can hold everything from the nexus one to the iphone. Angle of view can be adjusted according to preference or situation for your gaming pleasure. It is a good and sturdy all-around stand for any mobile. This configuration holds the nexus one and iphone in both portrait or landscape. Slight adjustments can be easily made to accommodate pretty much anything you can think of.

I am providing pictures to help you build the LEGO stand, in addition to screenshots and two 3D models made using SR 3D Builder that can be inspected in detail. SR 3D Builder is a free CAD program that allows you to build and test LEGO models. The pictures and screeshots should help with building the stand and the alternate gear assembly if you don't have the yellow part that holds the screw and the gear that I used. Although if any additional help is needed please feel free to contact me.



 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Build info

IMG_8381.jpg
IMG_8382.jpg
IMG_8383.jpg
IMG_8384.jpg
IMG_8385.jpg
IMG_8391.jpg
IMG_8392.jpg
IMG_8395.jpg
IMG_8394.jpg
IMG_8397.jpg
Here are pictures for the build. Please click on the little "i" on the top left of each picture to view them in their original size in order to see the build details. The model for the stand made in SR 3D Builder can be found in the intro, along with a link to the developers site. In my stand one axle on the adjustable back arm is made out of two shorter axle's and an axle connector because I had ran out on long ones.

Here is a Parts List generated by SR 3D Builder:

ID Description Name

2 PLATE 2 X 12 2445.DAT
1 PLATE 6 X 8 3036.DAT
2 PLATE 1 X 4 3710.DAT
4 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 2 WITH HOLE 3700.DAT
2 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 4 WITH HOLES 3701.DAT
1 TECHNIC GEARBOX 2 X 4 X 3 & 1/3 6588.DAT
1 TECHNIC WORM GEAR 4716.DAT
1 TECHNIC GEAR 24 TOOTH WITH 3 AXLEHOLES 3648A.DAT
6 TECHNIC PIN WITH FRICTION AND SLOTS 2780.DAT
2 PLATE 2 X 3 3021.DAT
2 PLATE 2 X 4 3020.DAT
2 SLOPE BRICK 33 3 X 2 3298.DAT
1 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 8 WITH HOLES 3702.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 8 3707.DAT
5 TECHNIC BUSH 1/2 TYPE 2 6577.DAT
5 TECHNIC BUSH 3713.DAT
1 WHEEL CENTRE LARGE 3482.DAT
1 TYRE 12/ 50 X 16 OFFSET TREAD 2346.DAT
4 TECHNIC BEAM 5 X 3 X 0.5 LIFTARM TRIANGLE 2905.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 10 3737.DAT
6 TECHNIC BEAM 4 X 0.5 LIFTARM WITH BOSS 2825.DAT
4 TYRE 6/ 50 X 8 OFFSET TREAD 3641.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 2 3704.DAT
2 TECHNIC BUSH 1/2 TYPE 2 6577.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 9 60485.DAT
2 TECHNIC BEAM 4 X 0.5 LIFTARM WITH BOSS 2825.DAT
2 TECHNIC WEDGE BELT WHEEL 4185.DAT
2 TECHNIC WEDGE BELT WHEEL TYRE 70162.DAT


fluka says: Jan 3, 2012. 3:00 AM
it's very cool =)
bad pixel (author) in reply to flukaJan 10, 2012. 11:39 PM
cheers! :)
ffavre says: May 5, 2011. 1:30 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gun5ASQK2Sw

very nice instructable!
love it :)
modyfied it a little as you might notice :P
DSCN0630.JPGDSCN0632.JPG
bad pixel (author) in reply to ffavreMay 6, 2011. 5:31 AM
awesome man! love the build!

p.s. i own the first version of the G5 mouse :p greatest mouse i've ever owned.
ddeleski says: Apr 23, 2011. 5:27 PM
or what set come with the pieces you need?
bad pixel (author) in reply to ddeleskiApr 24, 2011. 2:21 AM
The official lego online store has a service called "pick a brick" where you can pick and buy the bricks you want http://shop.lego.com/PAB/. Or you can try http://www.bricklink.com/

I unfortunately don't know of a set that for sure will have all the parts as I had these parts since I was a kid and they are all a mishmash from several boxes.
ddeleski in reply to bad pixelApr 24, 2011. 9:07 PM
thanks
i havent played with legos for 20 years this will be fun
bad pixel (author) in reply to ddeleskiApr 26, 2011. 11:29 AM
Enjoy!
jsteiger says: Apr 22, 2011. 5:12 PM
I'm lost, where are the instructions on parts needed and how to assemble?
bad pixel (author) in reply to jsteigerApr 22, 2011. 10:40 PM
Parts list and detailed pictures to help you build the stand are in "Step 1 Build info" I have written instructions there on how to view the pictures in high resolution so you can see where the parts go! Let me know how the build goes!
jsteiger in reply to bad pixelApr 23, 2011. 9:24 AM
I don't have any Lego TECHNIC parts. Do you know what product http://technic.lego.com/en-us/Products/default.aspx will have all the parts needed?
bad pixel (author) in reply to jsteigerApr 24, 2011. 2:21 AM
The official lego online store has a service called "pick a brick" where you can pick and buy the bricks you want http://shop.lego.com/PAB/. Or you can try http://www.bricklink.com/

I unfortunately don't know of a set that for sure will have all the parts as I had these parts since I was a kid and they are all a mishmash from several boxes.
ddeleski says: Apr 23, 2011. 5:25 PM
wheres the place to buy parts??
illflux says: Apr 21, 2011. 7:15 AM
Very cool idea, and nice job! Makes me want to get into building with Lego Technic.
an4rchyy says: Mar 18, 2011. 11:17 AM
Very ingenious, the use of the wheels to hold the top and prevent any dragging and scratching is very clever, going to have to dig up my legos! Great job
bad pixel (author) in reply to an4rchyyMar 19, 2011. 1:23 AM
thank you! enjoy the build!
Higley1089 says: Mar 16, 2011. 6:37 PM
Like how you spin wheel to raise or lower stand.
bad pixel (author) in reply to Higley1089Mar 17, 2011. 11:59 AM
thnx!
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!