Introduction: Fast and Easy IPad Stand

I found myself in a pinch for an iPad stand and decided to make one out of an old tripod I had laying around. The following instructable is what I did.

Step 1: Item List

1 - 6 Inch 1/4th bolt
5 - 1/4th matching nuts
4 - 1/4th matching washers
2 - (one pack) of gear ties
1 - (broken) tripod

About 10 bucks or so I found the tripod at the goodwill for maybe a buck because the head was broken but the legs were fine.

Step 2: Tools

- drill
- 1/4th drill bit
- vice grips

Step 3: Drilling

Drill a 1/4th diameter hole about midway down the extended portion of the tripod

Step 4: Hardware

Assemble as shown:

One washer all the way to the end of the bolt followed by a nut to secure it.

Next add another nut followed by a washer about 1.5 inches from the previous nut.

Next insert the bolt thus far into the hole that was drilled in the previous step.

Next add another washer followed by a nut.

Next add another nut followed by a washer filled by another nut at the end of your bolt.

Try and center the bolt on your tripod the best you can and use your vice grips to tighten the nuts around your washers.

Step 5: Wrap the Gear Ties

First fold your gear ties in half

Next open the fold slightly and put the tripod extension tube in the back of the fold.

Next twist the gear ties like you would a bread tie.

Next wrap one side around the bolt a couple time followed by the other side.

Follow the same steps for the second gear tie

Note: you want the first twisted portions of the gear ties to be on the opposite side you're iPad will be held on. The portion of the first fold of the gear ties will be enough to keep your iPad from rubbing against the metal washers. Also the tightening knob for the tripod extension tube adds a little extra protection for your iPad.

Step 6: Securing Your Ipad

Bend your gear ties as shown above and be careful because iPads aren't cheep, just make sure it's secured.

Step 7: Finished Stand

Congratulations you have yourself a finished stand.

Personally I used this stand for a quick and easy photo booth, but I'm sure there are lots of other reasons to have a tripod iPad stand, maybe a guest sign-in or something like that, sky's the limit really. Enjoy...