Creating a wooden laptop stand with adjustable angles involves crafting a sturdy base and a mechanism for adjusting the angle. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make one:
Materials Needed:
- Wooden boards (preferably hardwood like oak, maple, or plywood)
- Wood screws
- Hinges (2 small ones for the adjustable angle mechanism)
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Wood finish or stain (optional)
- Saw (hand saw or jigsaw)
- Drill with bits for screws and hinges
- Measuring tape/ruler
Steps:
1. Design the Stand:
- Decide on the dimensions of your stand. A typical laptop stand is about 12-14 inches wide and 10-12 inches deep, but adjust based on the size of your laptop.
- Sketch the design, considering the adjustable mechanism. You’ll need two pieces for the base (which holds the laptop) and a back piece to provide support. The adjustable feature comes from a hinge system.
2. Cut the Wooden Pieces:
- Cut the main platform (the part that your laptop will sit on) to the desired size.
- Cut the back support piece. This piece will hold the hinges for the adjustable mechanism.
- Cut two smaller support pieces that will serve as the legs that hold the platform up at varying angles. These will attach to the main platform and the back support.
3. Prepare the Hinge Mechanism:
- Attach the hinges between the back support piece and the adjustable legs. This allows you to change the angle of the stand.
- To control the angle, you can drill holes along the back support where the legs can be fixed at different positions using a pin, bolt, or screw.
4. Assemble the Stand:
- Attach the back support piece to the base platform using wood screws or dowels for stability.
- Mount the hinges to the legs, ensuring that they are placed in a way that the legs can fold back or extend forward to adjust the angle.
- Use wood glue on all joints to reinforce the structure, then screw or nail them in place for extra stability.
5. Adjustable Mechanism:
- Drill multiple holes along the edge of the back support piece where the legs will lock into place. You can use screws or pegs to secure the legs in different positions for varying angles.
- For smooth operation, sand the edges of the holes and pins to prevent friction and wear.
6. Finishing:
- Sand all surfaces to remove any rough edges and create a smooth finish.
- Optionally, apply a wood stain or finish for a polished look and added protection.
7. Test the Stand:
- Once assembled and finished, place your laptop on the stand and test the adjustable angles.
- Ensure that the stand is stable and the hinges move freely.
Tips:
- If you’re unfamiliar with the hinge mechanism, you could alternatively use adjustable brackets to create the same effect.
- Ensure that the base of the stand is wide enough to prevent the laptop from tipping over.
- Make sure the stand is sturdy enough to hold the weight of your laptop.
By following these steps, you’ll have a functional and customizable wooden laptop stand with adjustable angles, which can help improve your ergonomic setup and comfort while working.