iPad Holder – markwtech

This is a sturdy holder for an iPad or other tablet type computer. As designed, it has a maximum open dimension of about 11 inches, and a minimum of about 6-1/2 inches.

A mounting adapter that holds a 3/8″ 16 threads per inch (TPI) tee nut (see picture) fits perfectly on my low-rise microphone stand. Here is a link to a similar stand (not the same one I have). It should be easy to design an alternative mounting adapter to fit other stand mounting hardware if needed. The sketch of the mounting adapter is shown below for reference dimensions.

The parts were all printed in black PLA on my Creality CR-10S 3D printer. The stl files for all the 3D printed parts are available on Thingiverse.

Here’s a complete list of the assembly hardware needed:

(1) 3/8″ 16 TPI tee nut
(1) 1/4″ 20 TPI threaded rod, 7-3/4″ long
(3) 1/4″ 20 TPI nuts
(1) 1/4″ threaded insert
(12) 3/4″ 4-40 screws
(4) 1″ 4-40 screws
(2) 5/8″ 4-40 screws

I picked up the 3/8″ and 1/4″ hardware at my local hardware store. Similar length 3mm screws could be substituted for the 4-40 hardware if necessary.

The 1/4″ threaded insert (I used the kind used for woodworking) was warmed with a heat gun and threaded into the plastic of the Receiver Bottom part using a hex driver in a drill and a short 1/4 bolt to temporarily hold the insert. Using a drill lets you slowly drive the insert in straight until it reaches the correct depth flush with the front of the part. Then six 3/4″ screws attach the Receiver Top to the Receiver Bottom. Four 1″ screws and two 5/8″ screws are used to attach the Mounting Adapter to the Receiver Bottom – the short screws are used in the center to not interfere with the clamping screw that will run down the middle of the Receiver part.

The main clamping rod is a piece of 1/4″ 20 TPI threaded rod, 7-3/4″ long. A nut is attached to the end and a small hole is drilled through the nut into the rod and a piece of a nail is glued into the hole to keep the nut permanently attached. The knob is simply pressed over the nut – it’s a tight fit – but glue could be added if needed. The 1/4″ threaded rod with the nut and knob on its end is put through the Slider Bottom and two 1/4″ nuts are tightened against each other to hold the bar in place, with enough room so that it still rotates freely. Then six 3/4″ screws hold the Slider Top to the Slider Bottom, with the two Slider Bar parts sandwiched in between.

I glued small strips of black felt into the clamping grooves so the tablet doesn’t get marred by the plastic jaws. Finally, the two parts are assembled with the 1/4″ threaded rod going into the threaded insert.