4 Free & Quick Do-It-Yourself iPad Stands

Apr 4, 2012 - 9 Comments

Lego iPad stand

I carry my iPad around naked, that means no cases, no covers, no stands, just the iPad. But what if you’re on the go and quickly need an iPad stand? I was recently in this situation and discovered several different methods to concoct quick and dirty iPad stands for free using common items.

If you’re ever in a dire need of a quick and dirty iPad stand, that’s what we’re here to help you with. So I picked the four best choices based on the likelihood of encountering the required materials for the instant DIY iPad stand, you won’t win any design awards here, but if you’re in a pinch you should find one that works for you.

1. DVD Case

The first solution uses a DVD jewel case and is surprisingly stable. It takes about 30 seconds to setup, all you need is a plastic DVD case and a piece of string, cloth, ribbon, or wire. Basically just invert the DVD case and tie the string from one side to the next, then flip the little plastic tabs up to form feet to rest the iPad on. If you can’t imagine how that might work, watch the video below, it’ll all make sense:

The DVD case is my preferred method and looks the most reasonable, and it finally provided a use for a friends 10 year old Blockbuster DVD that was never returned. You won’t always have access to DVD cases though, and in that case, method two or three may be a better fit.

2. Coat Hanger

Wire coat hangers are ubiquitous and you should be able to find one in nearly any household or hotel room, making this a reasonable albeit flimsier option for those in dire need of a quick iPad stand. It’s ugly but is actually quite supportive, though the iPad may slide around a bit on the wire frame. Watch the video below beforehand, it’s not complicated but it’ll prevent you from wasting a hanger or two trying to figure it out on your own.

I’ve used this multiple times and it works really well in a pinch, even if it does look quite silly and rather low-rent.

3. Legos

If you’re visiting somewhere with a kid (or kid at heart) who plays with Legos, you can build a quick iPad stand out of Lego blocks. There’s no video instructions but you’ll find a fully configured stand on Flickr that’s fairly easy to follow to base your own from. This is obviously the most time consuming of the three options, but it gives you a great excuse to play with Legos so that’s a plus, right?

DIY Lego iPad stand

4. Fruit, like an Orange or Banana

Fruit like a banana or an orange work as stands in a pinch. Yes seriously, edible fruit! Just make sure it’s not peeled yet, but an orange or banana with their somewhat grippy surfaces work surprisingly well as an iPad stand.

Use fruit as an instant iPad stand

If you’re going to be using an iPad in the kitchen anyway, something like an orange can be immediately effective. Try it out!

Or… well, you could also try out the mini-plunger stand we jokingly posted on April Fools, some of the commenters claim it actually works well. And at the very least it’ll get a laugh or many.

.

Related articles:

Posted by: Paul Horowitz in Fun, iPad, Tips & Tricks

9 Comments

» Comments RSS Feed

  1. big small says:

    I want to showcase my photographs in this site

  2. Iris says:

    Why is the dvd video private?

  3. Sadmycasebroketoday says:

    This coat hangar option saved my day. Thanks!

  4. […] some sort, either with something like the iPad kitchen rack or even a low-budget solution like the do-it-yourself stands that are completely free, but obviously not quite as […]

  5. name says:

    Personal pet peeve: it is lego bricks not LegoS or LegoZ!

  6. Theo Vosse says:

    Nice!

  7. David says:

    Yes the LEGO!

  8. abacus rosse says:

    I recommend the Smart Cover for a basic stand, it is minimalist and simple. Ergo makes a good stand too, though it is not as mobile.

  9. Cmmts says:

    I prefer my Macbook Air, it comes with a stand.

Leave a Reply

 

Shop on Amazon.com and help support OSXDaily!

Subscribe to OSXDaily

Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to Twitter Feed Follow on Facebook Subscribe to eMail Updates

Tips & Tricks

News

iPhone / iPad

Mac

Troubleshooting

Shop on Amazon to help support this site