Introduction: IKEA Style Laptop Stand

By
About: I am an artist, educator, tinkerer, and repurposer, err, recycler.

A few months after I made the Instructable Laptop Stand For Your Netbook it occurred to me that it might be possible to use similar components to design and create a laptop stand for larger notebooks. Stylish, lightweight, and sturdy - and made with IKEA stuff! What could be better?

This Instructable uses only IKEA components and can be easily customized to fit almost any size laptop. 

The hardest part is cutting the shelf brackets - but everything else can be done in minutes.


Step 1: The Materials

You will need the following:

4 Ekby Stodis plastic shelf brackets

1 pair of Lansa Handles or 1 pair of Vinna Handles
For this instructable I used 10 1/16" Lansa handles on the black stand and 5" Vinna on the smaller stand.
Either way, I only use the handle not the included riser/extension. (Save those for some other project)

1 pair of Rull Knobs or any other knob set you'd like

Felt pads 

2- 2" metric-sized cabinet knob screws (these are included with the IKEA handles)

2 - 1" metric sized cabinet knob screws
2 - 1/2" metric-sized cabinet knob screws

Miter saw, or jig saw, or dovetail saw

Sandpaper

Sharp utility knife

Screw driver


Step 2: Make a Pattern

The easiest way to decide how much rise to give your stand is to make a pattern.

Lay 2 brackets on a flat surface, back to back, and trace the form onto a sturdy piece of paper. Cut out the pattern and trim the "back edge" and the "leg" to the desired size. 

Transfer the marks and make your cuts. 

Trim any rough edges and sand as needed. 

Step 3: Assemble the Stand

Lay out your parts and assemble!
Done!
Easy!

Nice.

Step 4: The Stand in Action

The two stands shown here - one for my Lenovo Thinkpad (11.6" screen) and the other for my Fujitsu Tablet PC (12.1" screen) are custom-sized for each.

An additional feature is that each stand can hold a small external hard drive or other small peripheral below the laptop.

Because I often work at my kitchen table, these stands are perfect for my needs. I use an external keyboard and am able to raise each laptop screen to a more comfortable viewing height.