A colleague of mine wanted a custom cellphone stand and knew that I dabble in some woodwork, so I was given freehold of the design and my charge was wayyyyyy below what the time it took me to make the stand.

Supplies

Scrap plywood

Scroll saw

2x 13mm nuts & bolts

Sandpaper

Router

Round over bit

Wood Glue

Step 1: Measurements

So since I couldn't take the phone home as it was in use by my colleague, I traced the shape onto an A4 paper and also wrote down the width and a rough estimate of where the camera placement would be as there would have to be some relief from the wood as to accomodate the camera.

Step 2: Design

The cellphone holder would have to be able to rotate, tilt, raise and lower. After much deliberation, I started with a base, how else will it stand right?!. So a basic hand drawn shape on plywood and this was then cut out on the scroll saw.... something every woodworker should have.....I then cut out a square in the center and used the router paired with a round over router bit to create the edging as you see in the pic.... I then added a short piece of reclaimed wood from a veggie crate.... roughly 5cm x 5cm and 15cm long, to this which I squared the one end to slot into the square I made in the base and glued it in....the opposite side, I drilled 2 holes and made a slot, for the up and down movement.

Step 3: More Design and Assembly

So in the 2nd and 3rd picture, that piece slots onto the piece that's attached to the base.... to this piece i drilled a hole across the slot gap so that a bolt can pass through both pieces and be tightened on the other side, locking the position of up or down and tilt forward or backwards. I also drilled a hole on the top of the piece so that the cellphone backer can slot into it to enable it to rotate.

Step 4: Creating the Cellphone Backing

So here I tried to make it simple, but functional.... a piece of pallet wood to which I traced the shape of the phone from the A4 I also trace from the shape of the phone.... I added 1cm all over and cut the shape out on the scroll saw.... I then drilled a hole with a recess so that I can push a gutter bolt through and secure it with some sawdust mixed with wood glue... when this dried, I sanded it flush with the face of the inside of the backer.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

I am now nearing the end, and how will the phone attach to the backer.... I could always stick velcro to each piece.... but that sound!!!!.... so I nailed and glued 2 pieces on either side of the backer and cut a groove on each inner side so the phone can slide in.... i also glued 2 pieces on the bottom of the backer so that it will hold the phone upright, stopping it from sliding through.... I left a gap between the 2 bottom pieces so that a charger can fit into the charging slot. I also drilled a hole so that it accomodate a earphone jack as that's what the colleague wanted, to have his earphones on, rotate the phone any side while he's in bed, watching movies on his phone...I finished this off with a nice coat of clear varnish and oh yes.... I also made nut holders to make it easier on the fingers when opening or tightening.... much better than wingnuts.

Step 6: Ending

In the end, it did all he wanted, I got paid, albeit not worth the time it took to make, but it challenged me and I was happy that I attempted something that was a success and I think that's what woodworking is about, we forget the cost but love the process and hope for the best outcome... Happy woodworking guys.... see more at my page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087630567460&mibextid=9R9pXO