Introduction: PIWOOLET (Pi.WOOd.tabLET): Just an Other PI Tablet

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About: My name is Denis, 42 years old. My goal thru Instructables, is to share my little experience, my works and hacks : "Knowledge increases when we share it" !

Intro - why did I realize that?

The answer is so simple : just for fun :-)

A few of my main goals

  • maintain access to the HDMI port;
  • maintain access to the audio output;
  • maintain access to the GPIO;
  • maintain access to at least one USB port.

The BOM

Time

Between the first try, and the end, it took me about 75 hours.

Step 1: Using Wood ...

In the cleat (9mm*38mm*2m) :

  • 2 pieces with the following dimensions : 18,85 mm * 38mm
  • 2 pieces with the following dimensions : 10,6 mm * 38mm

In corner wand (9mm*38mm*2m) :

  • 4 pieces of 38mm height.

Step 2: It's Time to Use Tools

Here are the tools I used :

  • My favorite one is the Proxxon MF70 : this THE tool that allowed me to make the cuts with great precision !!
  • My Dremel (as important as the Proxxon ^^);
  • A multimeter, for some tests;
  • Some limes;
  • And the help of my son (8 years old) :-)

Step 3: Top Side

On the top side, I wanted to get this parts accessibles :

  • three swithes;
  • three push buttons;
  • the GPIO.

I do not give the precise details of the quotes, since it is according to your needs.

Note thoses details:

  • As you can see in pictures, I used some parts of wood to hold most parts ...
  • Again some wood to create the three push buttons ...

Step 4: Lateral Right Side

This side was the most complicated ...

I had to create the following holes:

  • for the HP (reused from an old laptop...);
  • for the USB, audio connector (reused from an old PC ...);
  • the charging port;
  • the HDMI port.

Step 5: Lateral Left Side

Nothing complicated on this side :

  • just some holes for the HP;
  • one aperture for audio amplifier;
  • 5 other holes to pass the optical fiber that I use to keep an eye on the battery level ...

Step 6: It's Time to Stick ...

Nothing complicated: glue and patience :-)

Time to drink a beer!

Step 7: How to Power ...

One of the most important think was the power ...

After googling for some example, I choose to use a power bank : this model has the advantage to be able to be used while charging :

  • Its capacity is done for 9600mAh, wich is enought to get at least 2 hour of autonomy;
  • I have removed the case, keeping battery and charge controller;
  • 5 LED indicators reveal the battery level => small parts of optical fiber allow me to see the level in front of the tablet;
  • A small piece of wood is used to hold the battery.

Step 8: LCD

I choose to use the original Raspberry Pi 7" touch screen

Unlike the different tutorials, I placed Raspberry upside down to save space.

I used two metal plates to keep it in the wooden structure.

Step 9: Final Assembly

After all this work, it's time to put all these elements together

Again, patience and a bit of methodology, and everything falls into place!

For the back plate, I used a piece of plexyglass ...

Step 10: And Now, the Result !