Introduction: Multipurpose Cardboard Stand

About: I love creating. I love ART in all its forms. I am a daughter of the 50s, born in 1992. I had the pleasure to be a Featured Author on this fabulous site, and you can read my interview here: https://www.instr…

I consider this cardboard stand as my multipurpose bed table's brother. I guess it's not hard for your to guess why!

They have many things in common, but the main difference is that this one is not for beds, but it's smaller (for smaller objects), faster and even simpler to make.
I thought about this project as a stand for tablets, cellphones, magazines, papers, light books, and anything else you can find it useful for.

Just like the bed table, this multipurpose stand is entirely made out of cardboard, and 99% of the pieces are fixed together without any glue.

I hope you like it and if you do, I'd really appreciate your vote :)

Here is what you need:

  • cardboard - the kind with 2 layers of waves is enough for this project
  • cutter
  • white glue
  • pencil
  • ruler

Step 1: Make the First Piece

The stand is composed of 2 trapezoids and a base.

To make the first piece, draw a trapezoid on a piece of cardboard and cut it. The right side must be 25cm (9.84''), the bottom 12cm (4.72''), and the top 2cm (0.78'').

Starting from the side, measure 2cm and trace a vertical line. This line will divide the piece into a triangle and a thin rectangle.
Now draw a 0,5cm (0.19 inches) thin strip on that line, at 1cm (0.39 inches) from the top and bottom. Please look at the picture to see how I made it.

Finally, cut that thin strip out.

Step 2: Make the Second Piece

On a new piece of cardboard, draw and cut another trapezoid of the same size as the previous one.
Trace a line at 2cm from the side as you did previously.

Measure 1cm (0.39'') from the top and bottom of the thin rectangle and trace an horizontal line. Cut out those tiny pieces at the top and bottom of your tapezoid following those lines.

Make sure to be very accurate because all of these pieces must fit perfectly into the others.

When you have both of your pieces ready, insert the second one in the slot of the first one, forming a right angle. Push down the piece in the other until it's well fixed.

Step 3: Make the Base

Now draw and cut a 15 x 30 cm (5.9'' x 11.81'') cardboard rectangle.

Place the foot you made in the previous step in the middle of the rectangle, at 1cm (0.39'') from one of the long sides, and trace its outline on it.

Remove the foot and adjust the outline with a ruler. Shorten the long strips, making them 9,3 cm (3.66'') long and cut all of that out, always being very accurate.

Step 4: Compose the Stand

Insert the rectangular base from the top of the foot piece, and push it down until it's fixed. As you can see, it won't touch the bottom...that's why I shortened the strips before!

Finally, cut a thin strip of cardboard of about 0,5 x 9 cm (0.19'' x 3.54''). This size is not important, I actually used one of the strips that were left from the previous cuts!

Glue the strip on the base, more or less between the vertical foot and the external edge of the base.

This piece will hold up the tablet, magazine, or whatever you put on it. For this reason, I recommend you to make a few tries with those things before placing the strips, so you can make sure that the stand will keep them up at the right angle.

Your cardboard stand is done and ready to be used!

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