Introduction: Retro Gamer Adjustable Mobile Stand
I've always loved gaming. Since my Atari back in the day, video games always get my attention. But in all my gaming history, the biggest highlight for me has to be when I got my Game Boy. That meant complete freedom. I could play whatever I wanted whenever I wanted in privacy. No TV was needed. Since then, other platforms have come and gone, but the Game Boy is always something special for me.
Years have passed and I can now enjoy my old Game Boy games on my Nexus One.
On screen keys are not ideal for serious gaming though, so with the help of of an android app, Wii Controller IME i can now connect a wiimote to my phone and enjoy the feel of real keys.
This though created a new situation. I now needed a stand to set my mobile on so I can lean back and enjoy.
The stand needed to be adjustable to accommodate different scenarios. Whether that would be gaming on the desk or leaning back on the couch. After a few days of pondering this, I remembered my LEGO.
This is the result after a few hours of tinkering. It can hold everything from the nexus one to the iphone. Angle of view can be adjusted according to preference or situation for your gaming pleasure. It is a good and sturdy all-around stand for any mobile. This configuration holds the nexus one and iphone in both portrait or landscape. Slight adjustments can be easily made to accommodate pretty much anything you can think of.
I am providing pictures to help you build the LEGO stand, in addition to screenshots and two 3D models made using SR 3D Builder that can be inspected in detail. SR 3D Builder is a free CAD program that allows you to build and test LEGO models. The pictures and screeshots should help with building the stand and the alternate gear assembly if you don't have the yellow part that holds the screw and the gear that I used. Although if any additional help is needed please feel free to contact me.
Years have passed and I can now enjoy my old Game Boy games on my Nexus One.
On screen keys are not ideal for serious gaming though, so with the help of of an android app, Wii Controller IME i can now connect a wiimote to my phone and enjoy the feel of real keys.
This though created a new situation. I now needed a stand to set my mobile on so I can lean back and enjoy.
The stand needed to be adjustable to accommodate different scenarios. Whether that would be gaming on the desk or leaning back on the couch. After a few days of pondering this, I remembered my LEGO.
This is the result after a few hours of tinkering. It can hold everything from the nexus one to the iphone. Angle of view can be adjusted according to preference or situation for your gaming pleasure. It is a good and sturdy all-around stand for any mobile. This configuration holds the nexus one and iphone in both portrait or landscape. Slight adjustments can be easily made to accommodate pretty much anything you can think of.
I am providing pictures to help you build the LEGO stand, in addition to screenshots and two 3D models made using SR 3D Builder that can be inspected in detail. SR 3D Builder is a free CAD program that allows you to build and test LEGO models. The pictures and screeshots should help with building the stand and the alternate gear assembly if you don't have the yellow part that holds the screw and the gear that I used. Although if any additional help is needed please feel free to contact me.
Step 1: Build Info
Here are pictures for the build. Please click on the little "i" on the top left of each picture to view them in their original size in order to see the build details. The model for the stand made in SR 3D Builder can be found in the intro, along with a link to the developers site. In my stand one axle on the adjustable back arm is made out of two shorter axle's and an axle connector because I had ran out on long ones.
Here is a Parts List generated by SR 3D Builder:
ID Description Name
2 PLATE 2 X 12 2445.DAT
1 PLATE 6 X 8 3036.DAT
2 PLATE 1 X 4 3710.DAT
4 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 2 WITH HOLE 3700.DAT
2 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 4 WITH HOLES 3701.DAT
1 TECHNIC GEARBOX 2 X 4 X 3 & 1/3 6588.DAT
1 TECHNIC WORM GEAR 4716.DAT
1 TECHNIC GEAR 24 TOOTH WITH 3 AXLEHOLES 3648A.DAT
6 TECHNIC PIN WITH FRICTION AND SLOTS 2780.DAT
2 PLATE 2 X 3 3021.DAT
2 PLATE 2 X 4 3020.DAT
2 SLOPE BRICK 33 3 X 2 3298.DAT
1 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 8 WITH HOLES 3702.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 8 3707.DAT
5 TECHNIC BUSH 1/2 TYPE 2 6577.DAT
5 TECHNIC BUSH 3713.DAT
1 WHEEL CENTRE LARGE 3482.DAT
1 TYRE 12/ 50 X 16 OFFSET TREAD 2346.DAT
4 TECHNIC BEAM 5 X 3 X 0.5 LIFTARM TRIANGLE 2905.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 10 3737.DAT
6 TECHNIC BEAM 4 X 0.5 LIFTARM WITH BOSS 2825.DAT
4 TYRE 6/ 50 X 8 OFFSET TREAD 3641.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 2 3704.DAT
2 TECHNIC BUSH 1/2 TYPE 2 6577.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 9 60485.DAT
2 TECHNIC BEAM 4 X 0.5 LIFTARM WITH BOSS 2825.DAT
2 TECHNIC WEDGE BELT WHEEL 4185.DAT
2 TECHNIC WEDGE BELT WHEEL TYRE 70162.DAT
Here is a Parts List generated by SR 3D Builder:
ID Description Name
2 PLATE 2 X 12 2445.DAT
1 PLATE 6 X 8 3036.DAT
2 PLATE 1 X 4 3710.DAT
4 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 2 WITH HOLE 3700.DAT
2 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 4 WITH HOLES 3701.DAT
1 TECHNIC GEARBOX 2 X 4 X 3 & 1/3 6588.DAT
1 TECHNIC WORM GEAR 4716.DAT
1 TECHNIC GEAR 24 TOOTH WITH 3 AXLEHOLES 3648A.DAT
6 TECHNIC PIN WITH FRICTION AND SLOTS 2780.DAT
2 PLATE 2 X 3 3021.DAT
2 PLATE 2 X 4 3020.DAT
2 SLOPE BRICK 33 3 X 2 3298.DAT
1 TECHNIC BRICK 1 X 8 WITH HOLES 3702.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 8 3707.DAT
5 TECHNIC BUSH 1/2 TYPE 2 6577.DAT
5 TECHNIC BUSH 3713.DAT
1 WHEEL CENTRE LARGE 3482.DAT
1 TYRE 12/ 50 X 16 OFFSET TREAD 2346.DAT
4 TECHNIC BEAM 5 X 3 X 0.5 LIFTARM TRIANGLE 2905.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 10 3737.DAT
6 TECHNIC BEAM 4 X 0.5 LIFTARM WITH BOSS 2825.DAT
4 TYRE 6/ 50 X 8 OFFSET TREAD 3641.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 2 3704.DAT
2 TECHNIC BUSH 1/2 TYPE 2 6577.DAT
2 TECHNIC AXLE 9 60485.DAT
2 TECHNIC BEAM 4 X 0.5 LIFTARM WITH BOSS 2825.DAT
2 TECHNIC WEDGE BELT WHEEL 4185.DAT
2 TECHNIC WEDGE BELT WHEEL TYRE 70162.DAT
Step 2: Alternate Gear Assembly (the Yellow Part)
Here are two screenshots that can help with building the alternate gear assembly. As with the previous step use the "i" button on the top left of each picture to view the original file. Here I coloured the parts differently to show what parts are needed for the assembly. The 3D model made in SR 3D Builder can be found in the intro. Again if additional help is needed feel free to contact me.
Step 3: Motorised Version!
I wasn't able to find my LEGO motor kit unfortunately, but with a few modifications this could become motorized!
Takes away the portability aspect but would be cool nevertheless!
Takes away the portability aspect but would be cool nevertheless!
Step 4: Stand in Action
The app im using to connect the wiimote to the nexus along with other apps designed to do the same can be found on the android market. Please read if the app works on your device. After that is as easy as following the on screen instructions. Emulators can again be found readily in the android market. As I don't have an iphone I can't provide any information for iphone users but im sure the are similar solutions available for iOS.