DIY smartphone stand for your car dashboard or how to make a car phone holder for your car

When I travel, I use my smartphone as a navigator. I've had several factory made car phone holders and there was always something that didn't work for me. Over time, they become loose, or installing a phone in them becomes problematic.

Show 5 more images

The last car phone holder I purchased was a sticky silicone mat with slots in which you could mount your smartphone upright on its side. But my friend could not install her smartphone in a leather book case into it; she had to remove the case. I decided to bring to life an old idea. Life hackers must act, let the rest whine!

You will need:

• a piece of wood, approximately 300x100x8 mm (I had a piece of black fiberboard)
• mini loop
• spring
• a few screws, glue
• engraver with attachments or hand router
• mounting platform (I used the notorious silicone mat)

Note: This holder mounts to a rough surface on the dashboard, and if you want to place your phone on the windshield, this is definitely not your option.

I will show you the simplest option for assembling a phone stand in a car. In the end I used sealant after I assembled the holder, but that was because I remembered it too late.

Files

• smartphoneCarHolder.pdf

Mounting a smartphone on a camera tripod

Phone holder made from paper clips - the photo speaks for itself. The advantage is that you can use all the functions of a tripod - tilt, rotate the camera, change the height.

• Before attaching the first clothespin, be sure to turn out the camera mounting screw so that it does not stick out. Otherwise the clamp will not hold.
• Install the second clamp as in the photo. And then use rubber bands to attach the phone.

CAR MOUNTING IN CIGARET LIGHTER

Yes, there are such options. It must be said that by attaching the holder to the cigarette lighter socket, you are nevertheless left with both a 12-volt socket and a couple of USB connectors.

The claws themselves or the magnet that holds the smartphone are on a flexible leg, which allows you to use this mount in cars with both vertical and horizontal cigarette lighter placement, simply by bending the leg to the desired location. But, as practice shows, when the cigarette lighter is positioned horizontally, such a holder may begin to rotate in the socket under the weight of the smartphone. So it is preferable for this mount to have a vertical socket.

Option for assembling a tripod from a tennis ball

Another budget option is a mini tabletop tripod made from a tennis ball. To do this you need a knife, glue, a bolt and a nut. The ball is cut in such a way that most of it is stable on the table; to compact the surface, we glue the area under the camera with a second layer from the remaining piece. A hole is made in the center and a bolt is glued. Then you can paint the structure or leave it as is.

You can put a seal under the camera, and if you take a longer bolt, you can slightly increase the stand upwards.

For this tripod we needed:

• Tennis ball;
• Knife;
• Bolt with a diameter for mounting on the camera;
• Nut and seal for bolt;
• Glue and an hour of time.

This option is not suitable for a serious event, but it is quite suitable for home use with a small camera; it certainly will not hold heavy optics.

Car clip phone holder

Perhaps the easiest way to secure your smartphone in your car is to use a paper clip.

As shown above, all you need is a clip, some rubber bands, and a wrench (or similar tool). Bend the handles of the clamp into a claw shape and wrap the rubber bands around the claws.

Next, insert the clip into the dashboard, then insert the phone between the bent handles. Rubber bands secure the phone in place while the binder clip grips the dashboard.

Main varieties and selection rules

The simplest holder is a design for the steering wheel with silicone loops. The adjustable bracket on the panel into which the gadget is inserted is distinguished by the fact that it is compact and the phone is easy to install. Another very simple holder is a ball on a magnet.

Designer coasters are made from various materials and have different shapes - it all depends on the creativity of the artist. For example, there is a lawn on a plastic stand and a phone holder at the bottom.

The gadget holder can be made as an elegant wooden stand. For example, in the form of a tree with a hollow or improvised stumps. A neat wooden stand with randomly placed slots where a mobile phone can be inserted will look original.

A wooden stand can be very laconic and resemble a photo frame into which a smartphone is inserted. A wooden organizer on a panel can have not only a cell for a gadget, but also for pens and watches. A wooden stand in the form of a figurine supporting a phone looks original, but it needs to be firmly secured.

This is interesting: Which auto chemicals to choose

Sometimes phone holders make a nice souvenir when you don't have a gadget. For example, a gadget stand in the form of a rotary telephone looks original, showing the connection between times. Or look unexpectedly creative when the holder is an alarm clock into which a mobile phone is inserted.

Conceptually, the holder looks like a marble figurine holding a gadget in its hands. Even in winter, a shell stand will bring back memories of the sea. The stand can look like your favorite food, for example sushi, a hamburger or a sandwich with caviar. In such souvenirs, the wildest fantasy can turn into reality.

The highlight of the holder in a minimalist style will be the original mount. For example, on the principle of a table lamp attached to a table with a clothespin. Even an ordinary stationery binder will look original as a phone holder.

It’s worth looking at things with different eyes and making a cozy soft pillow or chair for your phone. If a woman is driving, it could be a fluffy basket, an original fabric pocket, a soft envelope with a cute hinged loop. Knitted animals in the form of a stand will always help you maintain a good mood. Stylish bright accessories will not only serve you by performing certain functions, but will also help you think positively.

The holders may have a flexible cord for fastening, a suction cup, or an adjustable bracket.

When choosing a phone stand, everyone is guided by their own taste preferences. In terms of functionality, the holder must have a good fit to keep the phone safe.

Made from plexiglass and stationery pins

This is a very convenient holder. It requires a minimum number of parts, but the main advantage is that there is no need to drill holes for mounting in the dashboard.

To assemble, cut a piece of plexiglass to the desired shape and size. Next, take the wire and make 4 hooks from it. They should be fixed on prepared plexiglass. PVC glue is suitable for fastening. Two hooks are installed on the long side. This will be the bottom of the holder. A couple of other hooks are installed on the side. 2 holes are drilled for fastenings; it is better to place them on the center line.

The next step is decorating the plexiglass substrate. In principle, this is not necessary, and if there is no special desire, then you don’t have to do it. The easiest way is to cover the base with leatherette. Next, the fasteners are installed; for this, screws 4-6 centimeters long are inserted into the holes. The nuts are screwed onto them and tightened. Clothes pins are attached to the bolts.

The holder is installed on the deflector located in the middle of the torpedo. To do this, tails of clothespins are inserted into its cracks. This stand is held quite firmly. Thanks to its convenient location, the tablet can easily be used as a navigator. The only drawback of the design is the restriction of the flow of cold air through the deflector, but this problem arises only in winter.

Tips and tricks

How to make a tripod for your phone yourself is an endless topic, there are many solutions, use your ingenuity, golden pens and you will succeed. Pay more attention to the shooting itself.

• Be sure to check that the mount is secure to avoid falls and damage to the phone.
• Get phone holders - simple and convenient. It's not expensive and makes the job easier.
• Shoot a lot, from different angles, so that during editing there is no capture in the video and photographic material.

The Ultimate Tablet Holder: iPad Car Dash

Adding a phone or tablet to your car is an easy way to get the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay experience without buying a new car.

But you can do it better than the standard mount using stationery, magnets or wood. Create your own Apple or Android tablet in your car.

This incredible project demonstrates exactly how to do just that. It's not cheap (an audio amplifier will set you back about $150), but the results are stunning. By the end, you'll have a tablet in your car where your entertainment system once sat.

SMARTPHONE HOLDER IN CUP HOLDER

It would be strange if such a mount for a phone did not exist. It is a tube with a leg on which there are sponges or, as in other cases, a clamp or magnet. And so that this tube fits any glass holder, its volume can be increased by extending three spacer legs.

Is it convenient? Probably, someone will be interested in this method of attaching a smartphone, only in this case you deprive yourself of the opportunity to use the cup holder. However, there are models that not only do not deprive you of this opportunity, but also significantly increase the number of cup holders.

It is worth noting that such mounts can be considered convenient only if the cup holder is located quite high, say, on a high extension of the center console dividing the interior into two parts, otherwise you will have to reach down to the phone.

Suction cup stand

Step 1. Take the suction cup. With the suction cup you choose, you can start creating your own design on it. The design is limitless - whatever you want can be done. Using different colors of nail polish, the suction cup can be painted.

Step 2. Hole. Now you need to make a vertical hole in the top of the suction cup.

You can use something metallic or sharp. For example, heat a needle over a candle. When it is still hot, you need to immediately poke it into the center of the suction cup, starting from the right side. Repeat this until the top of the suction cup on the left side is pierced.

Step 3. Insert the ring. Once the hole is large enough, the key fob ring is inserted into it. Do this until everything goes through.

Great, now your DIY phone holder is ready! You can use this device both as a smartphone stand and as a holder. Quite convenient combination of 2 functions in one element.

Pros and cons of each method

Let's summarize and consider the pros and cons of each method.

Method	Advantages	Flaws
Cassette case	No additional tools required - simply deploy.	Unprepossessing appearance of the plastic box.
CD case	Hangs on the wall, conveniently holds your phone.	Due to the number of small parts, the technology requires human accuracy.
Pencils and eraser	Available raw materials.	Not suitable for large models.
Toilet paper rolls	Ease of execution.	Only for small gadgets.
Lego	There are many assembly options that can be modified to suit the device. The tired support is rebuilt into a new one.	Unpresentable appearance.
Wire	Lightweight designs do not take up much space.	They can scratch the body and glass of the phone.
Paper	There are many assembly options according to the diagrams.	They require accuracy from the performer.
Cardboard	Easy to create, suitable for gadgets of various parameters.	You need to take only dense raw materials.
Plastic bottles	Available material.	After cutting, sharp edges remain.
Binders	Easy to assemble and disassemble.	They slide on the table.
Paper clips	Easy to use.	They require attentiveness from the performer.
Wine corks	Availability, many assembly options.	Wine stains are difficult to remove.
Tree	Looks prestigious, lots of solutions and schemes.	You need to have cutting skills and have a special tool.

3.8 / 5 ( 5 votes)

0

How to do it yourself?

From the paper clip

You can make a device that supports your phone yourself. This stand will definitely be exclusive.

Homemade holders can be of three types:

• spoiling the interior;
• not durable;
• representing a whole work of art that requires real skill.

We take the binder, remove the staples, bend them so that a holder is formed, wrap them with thread and place them in their original place, securing them with an ordinary rubber band. All that remains is to attach a simple device to the air duct. The phone is attached securely. The only negative is that the phone cannot be quickly removed from the holder.

This is interesting: Owner reviews of Kia Optima 2010—2015

From wire

In order to attach a phone to a wire holder, you will have to sacrifice the integrity of the front panel of the cabin, since holes will need to be drilled on it. The holder is made from strong wire, bending it accordingly and inserting it into the holes. The phone must be firmly attached to the holder.

Aluminum stand

It takes a little effort to make a stand out of aluminum. In any hardware store you can inexpensively purchase connecting tubes with angles of 45 and 90 degrees, as well as an aluminum pipe with a diameter of 47 mm. You will also need ice cream sticks and an old phone case.

You can start creating the holder after you have determined the place where it will be located. Now the necessary measurements are made. The pipe is cut into three parts. The short part is attached to a 45 degree angle tube. The horizontal part is held in 45 and 90 degree angle tubes. The longest part - a vertical pipe, 10 - 13 cm long, will hold the stand.

For greater strength, all fasteners are first lubricated with glue. A couple of cuts should be made in the case into which the ties are inserted. The cuts are on the tube. A long pipe is tied together with ties. Wooden sticks are glued between the aluminum pipe and the cover. The final stage is attaching the connecting tube to the car.

How to correctly install fixing elements: sequence of actions

Take the driver's seat in the car. Determine places where you can place your phone/tablet so that the installed gadget can be taken in your hand without reducing your control of the road while driving.

The ideal type of surface for mounting the platform is smooth, shagreen plastic, artificial, genuine leather (Alcantra). To attach the base you need to perform several manipulations:

1. Clean the area with a dry cloth.
2. Degrease the surface with a cloth soaked in alcohol (included).
3. After waiting for the alcohol solution to dry completely, remove the double-sided tape from the protective paper.
4. First, the platform is glued, then after removing the protection from the second side of the adhesive tape, the retainer is pressed tightly to the car dashboard (any other intended place).
5. In the same sequence, a metal plate is glued to the back of the mobile phone or tablet. Its small thickness - up to 0.5 mm - will not cause discomfort during use. To glue the disc onto the case, it is better to purchase the “Large” kit - the diameter of the steel plate in this kit is 30 mm.
6. Before using the device, you need to wait 30 minutes to securely fix the elements.

Practical advice

1. Do you doubt that you won’t be able to secure the fastener correctly the first time? Buy the All Inclusive package. It contains two sets of double-sided tape. If the chosen installation location is not satisfactory or the gluing was unsuccessful, perhaps a second attempt will be more successful.
2. To safely remove the platform or metal disc, you will need a strong silk thread. With its help, you can cut off the holder element (by removing the adhesive layer), and the remaining adhesive can be easily removed with alcohol (alcohol wipe).
3. Dark silver is a color that will harmonize well with the interior of the car. If you don’t know what color of the product to choose or what device it is intended for (black, white, gold), it is better to choose the “Large” set. A smartphone mount is a great gift for a car owner.
4. There is no need to install the platform on fabric bases - a strong neodymium magnet will damage the coating over time.

Mounting the tablet using a ready-made holder

Ready holder

Using a ready-made holder purchased in a store, you can quickly and easily secure the tablet yourself. The kit includes a glass suction cup and adjustable feet. You can attach it to the dashboard or windshield. The glass is held in place by Velcro, and to install the mount on the panel you need to use double-sided tape or self-tapping screws.

MAGNETIC ADAPTER FOR USB CONNECTOR

Speaking about smartphone holders, I would like to mention one more very convenient device. Remember how many times you had to aim the micro connector from the charger into the small socket of your smartphone. In ordinary life, this is not easy to do, since you need to find the appropriate position, and even more so while driving. You can simplify this procedure extremely by purchasing a magnetic adapter or cord with such a connector. One part of the adapter is inserted into the smartphone and remains there permanently, and the second part is located at the end of the wire.

To connect your smartphone to the cord, you just need to bring the cord to the connector, and the magnet will do the rest for you. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to catch the front or back side: charging, as well as data exchange, takes place in any position. By the way, this device is convenient not only in the car, but also at home.

DIY Magnetic Phone Holder for Your Car

A solution that allows you to easily connect and disconnect your phone, this project relies on magnets.

Using a compact magnetic disk in your phone case, you can attach your device to the L-shaped mount. In this example, the mount is metal, thin enough to sit between the fasteners on your car's dashboard. Your vehicle may require an alternate mounting position.

The mount has four batteries glued to it, ready to hold your smartphone in place. The result is a smartphone mount that allows you to quickly connect and disconnect your phone when entering and exiting the vehicle.

This build is likely strong enough to support the weight of the tablet.