Category: Diy

D.I.Y. iPad Document Camera Stand

9/10/2013

I've seen several do it yourself stands meant to turn the iPad into a functional document camera (along with an Apple TV). One thing I find lacking in all of them is functionality (and style but I didn't fix this). Sure, I would love to have the Max Handstand DX but at $199 my Principal laughed at me when I put in the request. So, like any other cash strapped teacher looking to implement tech into their classroom, I started asking other people to make me things. God bless those who have the ability to make things and garages full of tools.

A document camera stand must be adjustable: the height definitely and the angle of the camera preferably. A stand must also be cheap (did I mention that he laughed at my request?). After drawing out a schematic, one of the retired awesome people in our community (*cough* Bernie Mulder) volunteered/relented and made me one. I had to tweak it just a bit with a hacksaw and some files (since he doesn't actually have an iPad at his house to work with) but the finished product is worthy of its own YouTube video.

Below I've included my schematic for the iPad document camera stand (hand drawn of course) along with the diagram for how I envision it working with the Apple TV and the video projector (again, hand drawn). If you've got any ideas as to how to improve the design l'm all ears.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR D.I.Y. IPAD DOCUMENT CAMERA STAND:
I've included some detailed instructions and pictures at the bottom of this post.

This diagram works for a VGA projector. If you are lucky enough to have an HDMI projector, you can get rid of the HDMI to VGA converter. However, you will then have a sound issue. The sound output on the Apple TV is only digital (as opposed to analogue). So, unless you've got a digital to analogue converter laying around ($100-ish) those sweet speakers you have are useless and you now have to listen to your awesome movie on the projector's miniscule speakers. The only workaround I've found is to use the RCA audio out from the projector and bring cords back through the ceiling to the speakers using an RCA to 3.5mm adapter.

Okay, here's some more details on the DIY stand:

All the straight pieces and the elbows and T's of the arm and base are made out of 3/4" PVC. (Note: the measurements are the inside diameter of the pipe NOT the outside.)

List of supplies:
General:
-A couple feet of 3/4" straight pvc.
-2 end caps
-6 elbows
-2 3/4" T's with no threading

Swivel:
-a 1"tee with no threading at all,
-a 3/4" tee with threading on the middle connector,
-and a 3/4" adapter from Lowe's (barcode number 0 25528 13172 2). (directions for making the swivel at the bottom of the post).

Handle:
-1 3/4" threaded to 1" non-threaded adapter
-1 bolt with nut and two washers to hold it in place. (I don't remember the specific size of the bolt. I rummaged around until I found something that worked. (See image below)

Here's a closeup of the bolt piece:

The swivel is the complicated piece.
(EDIT: I have a better explanation of the swivel at the end of this post).
The tee attaching the arm to the vertical, the one with the bolt drilled in, is 1" allowing it to slide easily over the 3/4" straight pipe. The large 1" tee has a 1"x3/4" female threaded insert (bottom left). Generally, they are smooth on one side and threaded on the other. This then connects to a 3/4"x3/4" male threaded insert which is glued into the 3/4" tee of the arm (bottom right).

The threaded pieces do not need any adhesive to keep them together. The plastic threads have enough friction after several turns to hold the weight of the iPad in any position.

Next, the 3/4" rod connecting the base to the arm is drilled at regular intervals to allow for height adjustments. I strongly suggest NOT gluing the vertical into the base. I know we usually glue every piece of PVC in place but trust me on this one. This allows for flat storage and portability. After two years of use, I have never had a problem with the vertical pole slipping out unexpectedly.

Also, the picture below shows several holes drilled into the 1" T either for additional bolts or changing the position of the one already in the stand. I have never found this necessary and would skip this step the next time I make the stand. The bolt mechanism consists of a bolt (I don't remember what size) with a nut on either side of the washer generously glued into a 3/4"x3/4" female threaded adapter (just like the one above left only smaller).

Additional note about the base:
It is VERY important that the T on the base is NOT centered. The camera on the iPad is on the right side, not the middle. This model is 1" off-center; I will increase that next time. Also, make sure the legs of the base are at least 11" apart to allow for a standard piece of paper to fit in any orientation (we chose 13").

Edit: 07-23-2105
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THE SWIVEL
Here's a bit more detail on making the swivel portion of the document camera stand. I just recently moved to CO and my hardware options changed--I couldn't find the pieces in the pictures above. I also changed school districts and had to write a grant for a new iPad Air. That meant I needed to make a new stand. Curses. Here's my back of a napkin design for a document camera stand for my iPad Air.

I couldn't find my linchpin piece so I had to wing it. It was waaaay too much work. Like I seriously thought about buying a stand. All my complete stands are at school currently so I drew a basic picture. Don't judge my schematic skills. I had to grind down two different pieces to make this work. I would NOT do it this way EVER again.

Here's the preferred method. Notice how much simpler it is? This is easier than the way I did it the first time and I made sure to document my key piece. You just need: a 1"tee with no threading at all, a 3/4" tee with threading on the middle connector, and a 3/4" adapter from Lowe's (barcode number 0 25528 13172 2). Seriously, pay $0.38 for the piece and $5 for shipping. It is soooo worth it. Glue the adapter into the 1" tee and you have your swivel!

I'd love to hear about how it went in the comments. Let me know if you need more help. Let me know if you've improved on the design.

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Andrew Busch

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