DIY Wooden $5 IPad Dock / Stand

You might have seen the $5 iPad Dock (or €5 iPad Stand) on the internet (Lifehacking, Wired, TUAW, CrunchGear) and thought 'I can do that'. And of course, why not? I'll save you the trouble of finding out exactly how to make it, by giving you the exact instructions to make your own wooden iPad Stand.

After three days of testing we can confirm the wood doesn’t scratch the iPad, the iPad doesn’t fall over when you tap the screen and you can use it horizontally while charging :)

Materials:
- Piece of nice wood (130 x 80 x 24 mm or 5.1 x 3.1 x 0.9 inch if you prefer)

Tools needed:
- Saw
- Drill
- Large diameter drill bit (we use 19mm)
- Sandpaper

Step 1: Make a 130 X 80 X 24 Mm Wooden Block

Or 5.1 x 3.1 x 0.9 inch if you prefer

Step 2: Drill a 10mm Deep Hole in the Block

This creates a small hole for easy access to the iPad's home button. Of course you can do this last, but we found it easiest to do first.

Find the middle of the short side and mark it 17mm to the inside. This will be the center point of the small hole. Drill a hole, about 10mm deep. We use a large diameter drill bit (19mm, see picture) to create a nice, smooth hole.

Step 3: Make Two 27deg Cuts

From the side of your block where you cut the 10mm hole, on the short side measure off 17mm and 30mm. This is where you make cuts at 27deg., the place where your beloved iPad will sit. Go 15mm deep and clean it out well.

You can do this the hard way and use a handsaw, or go the easy way and use an adjustable table saw. 

Step 4: Smoothen It Up by Sanding It Down

Make the stand as smooth as you can by sanding down. Make sure the edges of the small hole are smooth so it won't scratch your iPad.

Step 5: You're Done!

Congrats, you saved yourself a couple of bucks and hopefully had a good time making the iPad Stand. 

Comments

[musicalKnight]

what do i do if my Android tablet has no home button but insted you have to swipe and then push?

[summarecon bekasi]

Cool mate. simple and very useful

[abbas hassanvand]

thanks for your idea

[The Wovinator]

This iPad stand is a pretty cool project, thanks. I'm almost done making it but I've run into a couple problems along the way, mostly having to do with the cutting. I just have a hard time with it. Don't ask me why.

I've actually been looking into some automated cutting machines (CNC) and I came across something called the DIY Smart Saw. This review here (https://carveyourcreation.com/diy-smart-saw-review) of this "Smart Saw" lays everything out, and the guy claims to have put it together for less than $300. I'm curious to know what other people think about it.

[GerardoFabian]

Hola, está muy lindo y prolijo, limpio, como debe ser...........

Muchas Gracias por el articulo.

[dudemanguy99]

This looks awsome but I dont work in mm or decimals of an inch my measuring tape only has fractions

[ku5e]

There are 25.4 mm in every inch, that should take care of metric conversions. As for the fractions to decimal here are a few common ones

1/32 = .03125
1/16 = .0625
1/8 = .125
1/4 = .25
1/2 = .5

LOL

[Nathan345682]

grand

[Supersport05]

Made three of these out of a single small scrap piece of walnut. All were random non-holiday gifts to various friends family, and very well received. I highly recommend this, as it's really easy.

[David Bakker]

Nice. Walnut is lovely for a Wooden iPad Stand!

[ColeH12]

Buy a coping saw for 10$. And you can get a chunk of walnut for way under 5$.

[krasses]

You also have to buy all the machines first..

[David Bakker]

True, we're just lazy enough not to use hand tools :)

[dmacaoidh]

Think I'll make it somewhat longer and add a second slot cut at a different angle, one for typing and one for viewing (movies, etc).

[AlexS189]

This is so cool. I plan on making this next. It looks pretty simple. I made a jewelry box out of a log for my girlfriend. It came out really well and she loved it.

http://allthingsinterestingppf.com/2015/12/26/diy-jewelry-box-2/

[EliMowat]

$5 is a rip off for that.

[David Bakker]

We put the instructions online so everyone who would want to, can make one themselves :)

[timmybrooks]

just a heads up on the 27 degree cuts on the table saw. put the fence on the side that the blade angles away from so that if the board lifts, it won't pinch and kick back. either way, it scares me to make a cut with a hand that close - especially a cross cut without a sled and the blade angle towards the fence. be safe

[David Bakker]

Couldn't agree more, be safe. Thanks for the tips

[prakis]

Thank you. I made a iphone stand with bulsa wood(I guess it is too soft).