Wooden Comfy Chair IPhone Dock

by fungus amungus

19K34124

Intro: Wooden Comfy Chair IPhone Dock

My phone works hard for me. It takes pictures, gets me pictures of what my friends are eating, twitterates, and sometimes even makes a phone call. So I figured that it deserved a nice comfy spot to sit in when it was on my desk. It was certainly better than just tossing it on a pile of tools like I usually did.

STEP 1: Materials

OK, let's make this thing! Here's what I used

 - 1/4" plywood (just a couple square feet)
 - 1/4" neodymium magnets
 - Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue
 - Gorilla Glue
 - stain
 - clamps
 - sandpaper
 - USB charging cable

The pieces were cut out with a laser cutter, but the same thing can be done by hand as well. 

STEP 2: Cut the Pieces

Like I wrote in the last step, these pieces were cut with a laser cutter so it was quick and precise. Just use the attached files and you're good to go.

If you don't have a laser cutter, which you probably don't, you can use one at a local TechShop, or get them cut at Ponoko.

Barring that, you can always do it by hand as well. Yes, it will take a lot longer, but it's an option.

STEP 3: Glue!

Now is the time for lots and lots of Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue and clamping. You can glue the pieces together a few pieces at a time or go for it all at once, it's your choice. 

In this chair, I used this arrangement for each half:

Left Side:
 - 2 arm pieces
 - 4 regular seat pieces
 - 1 notched seat
 - 1 notched seat w/ holes for magnets

Right Side:
 - middle piece (in 2 parts)
 - 2 notched seat pieces
 - 4 regular seat pieces
 - 2 arm pieces

STEP 4: Magnetize

With both sides glued up, it's time to add the magnets that hold it together. I used neodymium magnets that are 1/4" diameter and 1/8" thick. Since the pieces were 1/4" thick, I used two magnets for each hole so that it would be easier to keep the surface flat.

Inside each hole, I placed a drop of Gorilla Glue and pressed the pair of magnets in. Since Gorilla Glue expands, check in on it a few times in the first 10 minutes. If the expanded glue pushed the magnets out, push them back in and wipe off the excess.

STEP 5: Sand and Stain

With the pieces good to go, it's time to clean everything up and stain it. And by cleaning, I mean using sandpaper to get a smoother finish on the outside.

With that done, wipe up the whole thing and apply a couple coats of stain.

STEP 6: Use Your New Comfy Chair

With the stain completely dry, add in the charging cable by pushing it into the track. It should fit in without much trouble at all.

With that in, let the magnets grab the pieces together and put your phone in!

23 Comments

RobB45 1 year ago

Hi, do you have templates of the shapes?

vclapper 9 years ago

I did this little project with a band saw. It took like 8 hours to do everything but it ended up surprisingly smooth. Definitely worth it. Great idea!

Jonzy---1306 10 years ago

Hey pls could make a file for the I Pad mini aswell I can't do it myself!

raydanial 10 years ago

I like the way u do the vhair

Mythbuster425 10 years ago

So do you have the files for an iPhone 5 charger, or do you have to make those yourself? If so, would it be difficult?

fungus amungus 10 years ago

This should work as is for an iPhone 5 as well. You can replace some of the seat pieces with the cutout for the connector with pieces that don't have cuts if you want.

CandyLV 11 years ago

I'm thinking for wood challenged people like me,.......cardboard! I could use a pattern and a boxcutter :)

devalpha_1 11 years ago

Great idea applicable for many requirements. Thanks.

Jayefuu 11 years ago

Clever cord solution. You guys definitely need a bead blaster to get rid of that horrible charred edge though! It's much easier/more effective than sand paper.

abente 11 years ago

Great idea on the bead blaster. I've been considering adding a nose cone to my laser to decrease the charring, but I like the idea of adding another tool to my collection!

Jayefuu 11 years ago

Definitely go for the nose cone. I had one on a previous laser cutter and it was amazing the difference with/without. I'm amazed they don't come as standard on the Epilog laser cutters.

abente 11 years ago

Nothing like a comfy chair for your phone! I can't wait to cut one for myself. Thanks for providing the EPS.

Winged Fist 11 years ago

Maybe an Ottoman for your headphones?;-)

joshmt2012 11 years ago

you should build a couch one that holds your phone sideways to charge

DoctorDv 11 years ago

Our phones deserve the same comfort that we get! Awesome project!

-Doctordv
More Comments