Building a wooden phone stand with wireless charging can be a fun and functional project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating one. You’ll need some basic woodworking tools and components for wireless charging.
Materials:
- Wood (e.g., oak, pine, or any wood of your choice)
- Wireless charging pad (QI-enabled charging pad, make sure it fits inside your stand)
- Phone holder (wooden bracket) or scrap wood for custom design
- Wood glue
- Screws (if necessary)
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- Wood finish or paint (optional)
- Drill (for making holes for wires and screws)
- Saw (circular saw or hand saw)
- Jigsaw or coping saw (if you want to create custom shapes or curves)
Tools:
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Pencil for marking
- Hot glue gun or wood glue
- Screwdriver
- Wood clamps (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Design the Stand
- Before you start cutting any wood, sketch out your design. Keep in mind that you’ll need to accommodate a wireless charging pad under your phone, so think about the space needed for both the stand and the components.
- A basic design could be a vertical phone stand with a tilted back support to place your phone in a good viewing angle. The charging pad should be embedded into the bottom section of the stand.
2. Prepare the Wooden Pieces
- Choose a piece of wood that’s about 1/2” to 1” thick for durability. You can cut it into the following basic pieces:
- Base piece: A rectangular piece to hold the entire structure (about 4” x 6”).
- Phone support piece: This piece should have a slanted cut so your phone can sit at a comfortable angle (about 3” x 6”).
- Back support: This will hold the phone support at the angle you desire, so it should be tall enough (about 4” x 2” for a simple version).
3. Cut and Shape the Wood
- Cut the base: Using your saw, cut a rectangle that will serve as the base of the stand.
- Cut the phone support piece: Cut a piece that will hold the phone at a slant. You can use a jigsaw to make angled cuts or leave it straight and attach a support bar later.
- Back support: If needed, cut a back piece that will prop up the phone support at an angle. A slight tilt of around 45 degrees is typical.
4. Carve a Groove for the Charging Pad
- Wireless charger placement: On the base piece, carve out a shallow groove where you can place the wireless charging pad. Ensure it is positioned so that when your phone is placed on the stand, it aligns properly with the charging pad. Use a router or a chisel to create a clean groove.
- The charging pad needs to be flush with the surface of the base so that it doesn’t move when the phone is placed on it. If the charging pad has a micro-USB port, you’ll need to create a small hole for the charging cable to pass through.
5. Assemble the Stand
- Attach the phone support: Glue the phone support to the back support at the desired angle. Use wood clamps to hold it in place while the glue dries. You may also add screws for extra stability.
- Attach the base: Attach the back support and phone support to the base using wood glue. Reinforce with screws if necessary.
6. Install the Wireless Charging Pad
- Connect the charging pad to the micro-USB cable or USB-C cable (depending on your charging pad’s model). Pass the cable through the groove or hole you carved for the cable and make sure the charging pad sits snugly inside the groove.
- If the charging pad has a base with adhesive, you can stick it to the groove for extra security. If not, use hot glue or wood glue to secure the pad.
7. Finishing Touches
- Sanding: Sand all the edges and surfaces with medium-grit sandpaper first, then finish with fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth surface.
- Finish: Apply a wood finish or stain to protect the wood and give it a polished look. You can also paint it, but keep in mind that you’ll need to ensure the wireless charging pad is exposed and not covered in paint.
8. Test the Charging Stand
- Plug in the charging pad’s power cable, place your phone on the stand, and check if the wireless charging works properly. Adjust the placement if necessary to ensure it charges efficiently.
Optional Additions:
- Cable management: Add a small cable holder or hook on the back of the stand to manage the charging cable neatly.
- Personalization: You can carve or burn a design into the wood to give the stand a personalized touch.
Once done, you’ll have a functional and stylish wooden phone stand with wireless charging! Would you like some specific tips on tools or techniques for making this easier?