Tablet Stand
Ok . haven't been here for a while and figured it was time for a new one.
My family went together and got me a BB Playbook for Christmas. I was blown away.
I found it kinda hard to hang onto all the time because of it's size so I decided it's time to make a desk stand for it.
I didn't even look to see what instructables had. I just dove in and start fabricating.
Here is what I came up with. I took most of the pictures with my new toy. while I made it.
I made this in a couple of hours. When I had it all finished I couldn't take pictures of it in the stand so I had to dig out the old digital camera to finish off this great project.
Hope you all enjoy it.
My family went together and got me a BB Playbook for Christmas. I was blown away.
I found it kinda hard to hang onto all the time because of it's size so I decided it's time to make a desk stand for it.
I didn't even look to see what instructables had. I just dove in and start fabricating.
Here is what I came up with. I took most of the pictures with my new toy. while I made it.
I made this in a couple of hours. When I had it all finished I couldn't take pictures of it in the stand so I had to dig out the old digital camera to finish off this great project.
Hope you all enjoy it.
Tools
You will need all these tools. not to many rather simple project.
First you will need a piece of Plexi Glass as what I call it.
A measuring device of some kind. I used a tape measure be cause that is what was handy.
A marker because pencil or pen don't show up to well on the plastic.
Some kind of heat source. I used a heat gun paint stripper type. Gets very very hot.
Of course every project needs a fine adjustment tool. AKA hammer, sudden impact driver, what ever.
Have I forgotten any thing? Yes! A cutting tool.
A table saw is what I used. It does a real nice job if done properly.
A hack saw or hand saw of some sort will work if your good with them. I am not.
First you will need a piece of Plexi Glass as what I call it.
A measuring device of some kind. I used a tape measure be cause that is what was handy.
A marker because pencil or pen don't show up to well on the plastic.
Some kind of heat source. I used a heat gun paint stripper type. Gets very very hot.
Of course every project needs a fine adjustment tool. AKA hammer, sudden impact driver, what ever.
Have I forgotten any thing? Yes! A cutting tool.
A table saw is what I used. It does a real nice job if done properly.
A hack saw or hand saw of some sort will work if your good with them. I am not.
Step One
Take measurements of your Tablet and piece of stock to determin what size is required.
I used 5 1/2 inches wide and used the whole length which was about 16 inches. (not to critical how long it is.)
In this pic it shows it already cut.
I used 5 1/2 inches wide and used the whole length which was about 16 inches. (not to critical how long it is.)
In this pic it shows it already cut.
The Cutting
This is the real dangerous part. use your table saw with care. I took the guard off for demonstration purposes. You leave yours on.
After you have measured and marked you plexi glass you have to adjust your saw.
Remeasure again the distance between the blade and your fence.
I had to add piece of wood to sit on the table because the plastic would slide underneath it.
Measure again.
Now for the blade height.
You do not want to just hack into it because it will chip, crack, splinter and throw chunks all over the place. this is very very dangerous.
Now lay the plastic beside the blade and bring it so it's half way the thickness of your work as shown in picture 3.
Replace the guard if you have taken it off. See the warning sign on the saw. Do as I say not as I do. And grab your push stick.
Now you are ready to start the saw.
Start the work through slowly when the blade gets up to speed. Go all the way through this way. Slow and steady.
When your all the way though now flip it over and do it again.
This will either finish the cut or you will have a groove on both sides. Just bend it a couple of times it should just brake off.
Sand all the edges smooth.
After you have measured and marked you plexi glass you have to adjust your saw.
Remeasure again the distance between the blade and your fence.
I had to add piece of wood to sit on the table because the plastic would slide underneath it.
Measure again.
Now for the blade height.
You do not want to just hack into it because it will chip, crack, splinter and throw chunks all over the place. this is very very dangerous.
Now lay the plastic beside the blade and bring it so it's half way the thickness of your work as shown in picture 3.
Replace the guard if you have taken it off. See the warning sign on the saw. Do as I say not as I do. And grab your push stick.
Now you are ready to start the saw.
Start the work through slowly when the blade gets up to speed. Go all the way through this way. Slow and steady.
When your all the way though now flip it over and do it again.
This will either finish the cut or you will have a groove on both sides. Just bend it a couple of times it should just brake off.
Sand all the edges smooth.
The Bending
this is pretty well straight forward.
Oh I forgot to put in the clamping device in with the tools you need. I used a Workmate you can make your own if you don't have one. Just use wood or something that won't mark your work.
Put one end of your work into your clamp about half to 1 inch and tighten making sure it in straight. That is what the hammer is for.
Now take the heat source (gun) using it on low heat, heat up along the bottom near the clamp. Don't use high heat like i did. You can see what happens in the 3rd picture. Be patient. Move the heat gun back and forth applying a slight pulling pressure, when it starts to bend keep going till you have a 90 degree bend. Allow to cool.
Now clamp about half way up and repeat the first step. Make sure you bend it opposite way of the first bend. The bend can be 90 degrees or a bit more if you want. More might be better.
Now do the third bend opposite way of the second. It should be 90 degrees as well.
Oh I forgot to put in the clamping device in with the tools you need. I used a Workmate you can make your own if you don't have one. Just use wood or something that won't mark your work.
Put one end of your work into your clamp about half to 1 inch and tighten making sure it in straight. That is what the hammer is for.
Now take the heat source (gun) using it on low heat, heat up along the bottom near the clamp. Don't use high heat like i did. You can see what happens in the 3rd picture. Be patient. Move the heat gun back and forth applying a slight pulling pressure, when it starts to bend keep going till you have a 90 degree bend. Allow to cool.
Now clamp about half way up and repeat the first step. Make sure you bend it opposite way of the first bend. The bend can be 90 degrees or a bit more if you want. More might be better.
Now do the third bend opposite way of the second. It should be 90 degrees as well.
Final Touch Ups
When all your bending is done and it's cooled down it should look something like picture 1.
Picture 2 shows a notch cut out for plugs on the tablet but I found out it wouldn't work.
I also cut a bit off of the short end of the bend. The scrap piece is under the now stand. I cut this with the table saw but couldn't make the second cut but a couple of quick bends and a sharp knife and done.
Clean up the cuts with sand paper so it's smooth and we will call it a finished project.
I couldn't take a picture of the tablet in it because I used the tab to take the pictures. When I get some batteries I will use my real camera to take it.
Picture 2 shows a notch cut out for plugs on the tablet but I found out it wouldn't work.
I also cut a bit off of the short end of the bend. The scrap piece is under the now stand. I cut this with the table saw but couldn't make the second cut but a couple of quick bends and a sharp knife and done.
Clean up the cuts with sand paper so it's smooth and we will call it a finished project.
I couldn't take a picture of the tablet in it because I used the tab to take the pictures. When I get some batteries I will use my real camera to take it.
Final Sum UP.
While I was typing up this instructable the leather cover came for the tablet and it looks good on my stand.
My stand has one advantage the cover doesn't. I can put the tablet on it's side so I can read the news better. See pic 3
Do things different: I guess I should not have used high heat with the heat gun.
Maybe I could have also made the second bend a little steeper.
One thing a forgot to mention is "wear your safety glasses when operating power tools"
Any questions just ask.
My stand has one advantage the cover doesn't. I can put the tablet on it's side so I can read the news better. See pic 3
Do things different: I guess I should not have used high heat with the heat gun.
Maybe I could have also made the second bend a little steeper.
One thing a forgot to mention is "wear your safety glasses when operating power tools"
Any questions just ask.