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How to Make an Apple-Esque Floating iPhone Dock for $10

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make an Apple-esque floating iPhone dock for $10

How to Make an Apple-Esque Floating iPhone Dock for $10

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Step 1 of 30
Step 2 of 30
The iPhone connector doesn't actually fit into the Apple dock adapter, so take a razor, scissors, whatever, and slightly trim the ends, the width is fine just make the slot a tad longer.

The iPhone connector doesn't actually fit into the Apple dock adapter, so take a razor, scissors, whatever, and slightly trim the ends, the width is fine just make the slot a tad longer.

Step 3 of 30

Not really sure how to achieve the same result without a bench grinder... Rubbing it against the sidewalk might take about 3 years. Oh yea! A file!

Step 4 of 30
This is what your shooting for, but there is a problem...

This is what your shooting for, but there is a problem...

Step 5 of 30
It's off. You'll want to trim the inside rim of the elbow so the dock sits flat. Take a razor at a 45 degree angle to do so. Don't trim all the way around, just where the Apple dock adapter will rest.

It's off. You'll want to trim the inside rim of the elbow so the dock sits flat. Take a razor at a 45 degree angle to do so. Don't trim all the way around, just where the Apple dock adapter will rest.

Step 6 of 30
This is what happens if you only trim one side.

This is what happens if you only trim one side.

Step 7 of 30
Next piece of interest is the male coupling that inserts into the elbow. This is what will attach to the wall and the elbow dock will slide over it, but there's some work to do first.

Next piece of interest is the male coupling that inserts into the elbow. This is what will attach to the wall and the elbow dock will slide over it, but there's some work to do first.

Step 8 of 30
That lip is a problem, as is the overall length, it won't completely fit inside our elbow. Also, the fit is very tight! To fix this, start by hacking off a half inch from the open end.

That lip is a problem, as is the overall length, it won't completely fit inside our elbow. Also, the fit is very tight! To fix this, start by hacking off a half inch from the open end.

Step 9 of 30

Then I took the lipped end to a bench grinder and sanded it down and roughed up the whole piece to make it not such an impossibly tight fit, this is designed to be removed after all!

Step 10 of 30
A shorter, slightly skinnier piece is the result. You want it to fit in snug, but that's it, you should be able to push this all he way in and then pop it out using your fingers.

A shorter, slightly skinnier piece is the result. You want it to fit in snug, but that's it, you should be able to push this all he way in and then pop it out using your fingers.

Step 11 of 30

I also smoothed the edges and roughed the whole thing up to make it slide in and out easier- just remember it needs to be snug, but not too much that you can't pop it back out from inside the elbow.

Step 12 of 30

Make sure to trim an equal and even amount from each side, it'll sit askew otherwise.

Step 13 of 30
Next, "assemble" what you've got so far minus the wall mount, figure out which way is up and which end will be against the wall. You'll need a saw or a drill and bit to make a notch on the wall end.

Next, "assemble" what you've got so far minus the wall mount, figure out which way is up and which end will be against the wall. You'll need a saw or a drill and bit to make a notch on the wall end.

Step 14 of 30
Should look like this. Can use that 1/4" drill bit from the supplies list I mentioned, I put the elbow in a vise and used a jigsaw.

Should look like this. Can use that 1/4" drill bit from the supplies list I mentioned, I put the elbow in a vise and used a jigsaw.

Step 15 of 30
This is with the wall mount inserted

This is with the wall mount inserted

Step 16 of 30

Next, after you've got the wall mount where you want it and the notch on the bottom of the wall end, you'll need a similar notch or hole in the wall mount so it doesn't pinch your cable!

Step 17 of 30
Right? Because if you don't, when you go to slide the dock elbow over the wall mount it'll get jammed. You can use a jigsaw or a hole saw bit, I used a 3/4" hole saw bit (drill bit).

Right? Because if you don't, when you go to slide the dock elbow over the wall mount it'll get jammed. You can use a jigsaw or a hole saw bit, I used a 3/4" hole saw bit (drill bit).

Step 18 of 30
It doesn't look flush, but it is, see next picture

It doesn't look flush, but it is, see next picture

Step 19 of 30
You're almost finished!

You're almost finished!

Step 20 of 30

Time to hot glue or PVC cement, your preference. Test fit the Apple dock adapter and your iPhone first. Bulky cases may not allow the device to reach the 30 pin connector when resting on the adapter.

Step 21 of 30

Most people will not be able to use their cases with this, as most cases are too bulky. The vast majority of all docking stations out there are made for the naked device.

Step 22 of 30

Push iPhone cable completely through the adapter plate you trimmed out earlier. Connect iPhone then slide the adapter up to the iPhone. If you have a case on it you may have to remove it.

Step 23 of 30
Once I got the depth where I wanted I adhered them

Once I got the depth where I wanted I adhered them

Step 24 of 30
Then feed the cable through, set it where you want and glue the underside of the adapter, the ends of it, not the elbow. It's easier this way and less messy and holds better.

Then feed the cable through, set it where you want and glue the underside of the adapter, the ends of it, not the elbow. It's easier this way and less messy and holds better.

Step 25 of 30
This is the commercial grade scotch double sided tape. From Home Depot, the residential grade sucks, don't even waste your time. This is damage free of course but may require some touch up painting.

This is the commercial grade scotch double sided tape. From Home Depot, the residential grade sucks, don't even waste your time. This is damage free of course but may require some touch up painting.

Step 26 of 30

The key here is to place the wall mount where you want first, making sure the hole you drilled is facing DOWN

Step 27 of 30
Then slide your new dangled docking station over the wall mount!

Then slide your new dangled docking station over the wall mount!

Step 28 of 30
Step 29 of 30
I'm going to add a cord hide, and the outlet is behind the couch and I've got a flat plug extension cord going to it so my couch doesn't have to be pulled out any to make room for something plugged in

I'm going to add a cord hide, and the outlet is behind the couch and I've got a flat plug extension cord going to it so my couch doesn't have to be pulled out any to make room for something plugged in

Step 30 of 30
So now I'm chilling on my couch with my iPhone within arms reach and charging. I later added a cord hide track that sticks to the wall and conceals the charge cable, it's wall colored too!

So now I'm chilling on my couch with my iPhone within arms reach and charging. I later added a cord hide track that sticks to the wall and conceals the charge cable, it's wall colored too!

Start Over

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31 Comments
Supplies
Embed

1 2" PVC elbow

1 2" PVC male coupling

Hot glue gun and sticks or super glue

Scotch commercial grade double sided tape

1 Apple universal dock adapter

Sanding block or paper

1/4" & 3/4" drill bits

Sergey Landar

Cool! Thank you for nice idea.

Sergey Landar 5 months ago

Israel Gonzalez

Very nice, I've been wanting to do something similar to install next to my bed

Israel Gonzalez 8 months ago

Akshay Kochhar

Ur too smart man,highly impressive I must say :)

Akshay Kochhar 9 months ago

Charlie S-A

Epic

Charlie S-A 9 months ago

Jerry Strano

Wow! What a great idea!

Jerry Strano 11 months ago

Drew Everett

Hey Mette, here's my shelf: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONCEAL-Invisible-Floating-Book-Shelf-mod-sleek-SILVER-ORIGINAL-umbra-/310409240170?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4845d51e6a

(author) 11 months ago

Brent Minder

If you like screws for added wall hanging security, you could always get a PVC male end that looks like a grate for drain pipes. If you drill an opening at the bottom of one of the grate holes, you could just slip it right over the screw head and let it rest.

Brent Minder 11 months ago

Mette 

Btw ur guide is 

Mette  11 months ago

Mette 

Yeah plzz do

Mette  11 months ago

Drew Everett

The book shelf?

(author) 11 months ago

Holly 🐢

Can you make one?

Holly 🐢 11 months ago

Drew Everett

Just a floating book shelf I bought on eBay

(author) 11 months ago

Holly 🐢

^LOL!!

Holly 🐢 11 months ago

Holly 🐢

On step 28.. The books are floating.. What sorcery is this?!? :O

Holly 🐢 11 months ago

Yuka Kotsuki

Nice i luv it thx for idea!!

Yuka Kotsuki 11 months ago

Ashley Trotter

Of course!! You have the best guide I've seen!!

Ashley Trotter 11 months ago

Drew Everett

Hey thank you very much! I tried to be as insightful and helpful as possible, so I appreciate your comment!

(author) 11 months ago

Ashley Trotter

Very cool, don't know if I have the skills to put it together BUT your guide is awesome!!

Ashley Trotter 11 months ago

Drew Everett

Oh that's right! I forgot all about them, thank you!

(author) 11 months ago

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah

Etsy.com is for crafters of homemade stuff.

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah 11 months ago

Vanessa Ramirez

I would think maybe $10 or so and I would totally buy one if u sold them. :)

Vanessa Ramirez 11 months ago

Cerulean Apple

That's okay, I'm good! But thanks for the thought! I wouldn't even know what would be a fair price...😁

Cerulean Apple 11 months ago

Keriann M

Creative - but I am not a handy person :(

Keriann M 11 months ago

Mackenzie V

Sweet!

Mackenzie V 11 months ago

Sharon Macleod

Thanks Heather!

Sharon Macleod 11 months ago

Heather W

Yes Sharon it will

Heather W 11 months ago

Donca Alexandru

Cool

Donca Alexandru 11 months ago

Sharon Macleod

Awesome, will the iPhone plug in the wall cord still work with an iPod?

Sharon Macleod 11 months ago

Kiesuke Masahiro

Nice !!!

Kiesuke Masahiro 11 months ago

S A

Neat!

S A 11 months ago

Cerulean Apple

That is so awesome! But, I'm not good with tools, so it's off to Amazon.com for me.😄

Cerulean Apple 11 months ago

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Drew Everett

You can use sand paper and clean this up if you like.

(author) 10 months ago

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Drew Everett

One person suggested just pre drilling a hole and using either a wall anchor or going straight to the stud, assuming there is one exactly where you want to mount your dock. A wall anchor is honestly the best solution here, after an accidental "kick", I found that this tape will tear the drywall right out! Small holes are much easier to patch!

(author) 10 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 26.

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Charlie S-A

Yeah no affiance I think it looks a bit scruffy

Charlie S-A 9 months ago

Drew Everett

My apartment is so much nicer since this was published :)

(author) 10 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 29.

Sultan Khalifa

Very amazing, and very creative

Sultan Khalifa 5 months ago

Taylor B..(:

Thanks awesome!(;

Taylor B..(: 10 months ago

Drew Everett

I put a link for that shelf in the guide comments, other people were asking too

(author) 10 months ago

Steph Pheonix.

No problem it's ment to resemble floating books. So it gotcha! ;)

Steph Pheonix. 11 months ago

Taylor B..(:

Oh whoops(: thanks haha

Taylor B..(: 11 months ago

Steph Pheonix.

It's a book book shelf.

Steph Pheonix. 11 months ago

Taylor B..(:

Are those books levitating??(:

Taylor B..(: 11 months ago

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