Lego, building blocks… side Projects, On The Bench Lab Work – Lego Device Base, Lego PC Housing and Lego Train Depot. More Lego projects coming.
iPad Tablet Base
Workshop Side Projects (2)
Lab Work – Lego Device Housing or Base
Lego® Base Mod update… it’s been awhile since I’ve posted any information or updates on the tablet/device base, so here it is base mod 2.
- Situation – think fast, tablet housing. Need a handsfree, desktop friendly table housing.
- Challenge Lego Base Mod 2 – build a tablet housing (landscape orientation only) to house an iPad. Regardless of what model or make, we had an iPad, make something that will work in 5 mins. Go!
- Accessible materials – Legos®, Toothpicks, Pipe cleaners, various
- Go!
While the Lego Base Mod 2 challenge is primarily for prototyping, try it for yourself. I’ll pull this forward, as I talked about buying bricks 300 pcs set or in bulk (4lbs) if need be. It’s handy to have bricks and Lego parts around the shop, a few bricks, some connectors and you’ve got you very own DIY project build. If this isn’t your style, we recommend getting your hands on the Brenthaven.
I’m pulling this content forward, second edition accounts for ‘tipping’ and/or stability issue, number of bricks, screen angle and orientation. Issues, devices would tip or fall forward/backward depending on how the user might set the device. Reduced a few bricks, however most were repurposed as support columns or ‘feet’ which helped acute screen angles. Moving forward, mod features portrait and landscape viewing. Caveat, charging cord need was nixed, user will have to set the tablet down when charging or charge in landscape only. There will come a point, at some point, we will include a charging cord mod down the road. Previous Side Project Lego Tablet Build article for reference. Or just start here, let’s check out a Lego mobile board housing! Or model train depot!
As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?
Project – Solder Station Build
AC Gilbert Lego Train Depot
Lab Work – Ready For Service
BOOM! Soldering Station Done
It’s always great to have Legos handy, especially for building the Lego Train Depot. This model features a big smoke-stack and a unique, oblong, and somewhat unstable shape. This is where Legos come in handy. With a few blocks, you can create your very own DIY solder station. You can buy a 300 pcs set or purchase Legos in bulk (4lbs) if necessary, along with some connectors. You can find sets at garage sales or use ones you already have in storage. Look for bargains to gather the pieces and parts needed for these projects builds using Lego bricks..
For this article or application, I believed that stability would be crucial. We needed something to immobilize and stabilize the train while it sat on its top. Ironically, the train spent more time upside down than right side up. This allowed us to solder the necessary wires, clean debris, and wipe away the age. Yes, the model train spent most of it’s time on the upper ‘casting’ (locomotive mold) so that we could access the electronics housed within.
Depot Pics
Train Wheels
Re-solder
Do you enjoy Lego, Lego building, etc.? Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re thinking!
Lego Projects
Workshop Side Projects, On The Bench
Lab Work – Lego Projects
Repost – On The Bench with the Lego Tablet Base
Re-posting, similar to the Gimbal repost (had to repurpose some content, goal was to better utilize material posted in various places around the web). So, I’ll start with the Legos®… Gotta love Lego® Other Lego ‘Side’ Projects.
- Situation – Think fast tablet housing needed. We need a handsfree, desktop friendly table housing.
- Challenge – Build a tablet housing (landscape orientation only) to house an iPad. Regardless of what the model or make of the iPad, we had an iPad, make something that will work in 5 minutes.
- Accessible materials – Legos®, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, various
- Go!
In short, we were a quick solution with accessible materials that would allow for various solutions, an iterative build process, and be tabletop/desktop friendly. Another Lego ‘Side’ Projects we worked on was creating a new iPad/iPad case that was purchased separately did not come with a handy, integrated stand. This will a future piece of content. We may consider reviewing a few cases that have integrated stands, such as the Brenthaven.
Moving forward, the case we purchased did not have any kind of stand included or attached. It is a fact that buyers often regret not buyinf a tablet case with a stand. In conclusion, we had several bins of Legos lying around the workshop and with a little creativity, we were able to create a fully functioning tablet stand/base. This was our first edition, and while there were second and third iterations that were abandoned due to instability and the number of Lego bricks used, the fourth iteration is currently in progress. We plant to reduce the number of bricks used and adjust the screen angle to accommodate various viewers and users. Additionally, the Lego Housing we are featuring needs to allow for both portrait and landscape viewing, as well as integration with charging cords.
As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?
