[Ashir]

Was searching for a mobile phone holder for quite some time but I couldn't decide if I should buy mobile holder or rather a tablet holder, since I prefer bigger screen for easiness to operate while driving. But the windshield tablet holders were either not large enough for my Nexus 10 or were very costly.

There was also a need to replace the music player, bought in 2006, with player having at least Bluetooth support. Driving Xcent made me dependent on Bluetooth audio and hands free. I wanted to go for double din with larger screen, but costing maximum Rs 6-7k.

Then came to my rescue solving both of the problems:

Sony - XSP - N1BT - In Car 2-Din smartphone Cradle Receiver Stereo (link)

It is of 13k but bought for only 6k on Snapdeal (link above). Though the player was fit easily without any cutting required, but there were easily noticeable gaps at both sides. Also, it looks popped out a little but nothing noticeable when my Moto E is docked.

All problems solved? Naah!

I wanted a "BIGGER" screen! And the player obviously can hold mobiles but not phablets and tablets. So, I found 2 options,

1. Make Nexus 10 itself as the HU (thought so before buying Sony XSP - N1BT) but I would want to use it outside the car too!

2. Get a tablet holder.

I did not feel it worthy to spend even 1k on just a tablet holder, so decided for DIY. What was its cost? Actually NONE ! Besides my time.

I used scrap aluminium beadings used for aluminium doors and a small piece of aluminium, from scrap too. Rest of the parts and tools were available with my Formula SAE team

Parts Used:
1. Aluminium Beading
2. Thin, small aluminium plate
3. Screws x2
4. Rivets (substitute for Loctite)
5. Rubber Beading

Support Tools/Materials:
1. Aviation Snip (alt. Chisel/Screwdriver)
2. Smooth File
3. Hammer
4. Die for bending (I used Vice, alt. any hard steel surface with free edge)
5. Drilling Machine (alt. household drills should work)
6. Rivets (alt. loctite, nails, steel wire, anything to hold to flat surfaces)
7. Ruler, Marker etc.

It was an easy DIY, so I'll just let the pics do the rest of the talking.

Proposals:

1. Use player itself with small supports at the ends, effective use of NFC since Moto E does not have the feature.

Problems: Render Moto E useless, mounting supports a difficult job, tablet inclined forward.







2. Effective use of space. Later found 2 mounting holes hidden behind cover.
Sorry for bad quality. AC could be used to cool down tablet in summers. Perfect orientation for easy use.
Problems: Hindrance with AC controls



3. Use drawer (or whatever it is called).
Problems: Blocked player, very low, not proper inclination



4. on dashboard
5. on rear-view mirror

Problem: blocked view (though could be easiest to mount)





6. on driver sun shade or replace shade with tablet holder. Effective location. Using hinges would make it yankee!

Problems: Blocked view when pulled down, distraction when mounted with screen facing down, useless when pulled up





Proposal 2 was selected since it was the most appropriate position with proper inclination and also had holes for easy mounting!

[Ashir]

Original appearance,



Measurements for tablet size



Cover removed . Easy to remove since locked with plastic snaps

Notice the 2 holes (6mm diameter) which were hidden behind the cover.







I'll need help with improving the dashboard finish, but this is for some other thread.

While in process:

- Used snip to cut according to dimensions, holes drilled using drilling machine

- Bent the beading by ~90 degree for tablet stop.



- Marked centre of beading and plate and mated them with Loctite (high bonding strength). I bonded the beading other way around, with holding surface facing downwards, but changed it as soon as I realised. Thank god the bond had not set.



Later on I found the loctite used was meant for sealing only and had no bonding chemicals! Had to turn to rivets.



- Drilled M6 hole through the cover and used some rubber beading to act as lock for screw.





Holder attached in car with and without tablet





Rubber beading was added to prevent scratches and to hold tab while braking



Pending stuff:
1. Cloth at back to prevent scratches.
2. Matte finish black paint.
3. Possible vertical support or support from top.
4. Drive test!


A pic of under construction frame for chassis of our Formula SAE car. (link)

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Modifications Section. Thanks for sharing!