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I did a DIY Ipad mini dash mount (w/ pictures of the process)
So this was my second attempt at making an ipad mini dash mount. I always loved the ones sold on different websites...but being from Mexico, I had not many options and there was no way I was paying $300-$400 + shipping for one of those, so I said...let's give it a shot.
I had a rough idea of what I wanted and needed because this was my second attempt, the first one I did was all handmade, it worked ok, but it wasn't perfect and had some aesthetic issues. So I took some measurements from the old one and did some adjustments. Being a designer, I transfered everything to the computer and did some templates to laser-cut on MDF.
These were the pieces that resulted after a previous test I did on cardboard and some adjustments. The circular spots are just glue marks from the test fit. As you can see, I left some cutouts for neodinium magnets to hold it to the dashboard.
I pasted all the layers with contact cement, and before adding the las piece, I glued a magnetic strip on the top to hold the ipad in place, which I took from one of those chinese smart covers for the ipad. I then added the last piece on top.
After this step, and after pasting the magnets on the back, the mount was functional, but being as picky as a designer can be, I added bondo to the sides to make it look nice. (Btw, I still need to polish my bodywork skills)
It came out ok.
After this step, I forgot to take some pictures, but basically I just painted it with filler primer and then light sanded it with 300 grid sandpaper to make the surface smooth.
My first attempt with the paint was a failure...I bought a Duplicolor silver metallic that seemed to match the color of the dash, but it was way off, and also had an issue with the metallic particles on the paint and the magnets behind the mount...FYI...apparently metallic flakes on the paint are actually metallic you can see how all the particles gathered towards the magnets.
So after this failure, I sanded the silver paint and decided to go with the good ol' flat black. Before this, I repainted it with primer and sanded again the surface to make it smooth. After it was painted, I added some balck suede to the back of the mount to protect the dash and also where the ipad sits. Previously, I had already installed the magnets behind my dash. This was the end result.
Adding up everything I used (not counting things I already had like glue, sandoaper, bondo or the silver freaking duplicolor paint) this was roughly the cost of the mount in USD.
Lasercut cardbord prototype (material included): $5
Lasercut MDF pieces (material included): $7
Duplicolor filler primer: $4.50
Duplicolor flat black: $4.50
Ipad smart cover magnet (I already had the case laying around): $7
8 neodinium magnets: $8
Black suede (1m x 50cm): $2.50
Not actually, I really made it as a DIY personal project and I think that if I made some to sell, I would need to charge for the work + the shipping from Mexico. So it would lose it's purpose of being a budget mount.
But if you're interested, I could send you the files to laser cut one yourself and charge you a small fee for that. I could also make another post with a more detailed list of materials and tips to complete the process. As I said on the post, basically the mount is ready to work after gluing all the pieces together and adding the magnets. Everything else is just to make it look better. You could also vynil wrap it or something like that.
So this was my second attempt at making an ipad mini dash mount. I always loved the ones sold on different websites...but being from Mexico, I had not many options and there was no way I was paying $300-$400 + shipping for one of those, so I said...let's give it a shot.
I had a rough idea of what I wanted and needed because this was my second attempt, the first one I did was all handmade, it worked ok, but it wasn't perfect and had some aesthetic issues. So I took some measurements from the old one and did some adjustments. Being a designer, I transfered everything to the computer and did some templates to laser-cut on MDF.
These were the pieces that resulted after a previous test I did on cardboard and some adjustments. The circular spots are just glue marks from the test fit. As you can see, I left some cutouts for neodinium magnets to hold it to the dashboard.
I pasted all the layers with contact cement, and before adding the las piece, I glued a magnetic strip on the top to hold the ipad in place, which I took from one of those chinese smart covers for the ipad. I then added the last piece on top.
After this step, and after pasting the magnets on the back, the mount was functional, but being as picky as a designer can be, I added bondo to the sides to make it look nice. (Btw, I still need to polish my bodywork skills)
It came out ok.
After this step, I forgot to take some pictures, but basically I just painted it with filler primer and then light sanded it with 300 grid sandpaper to make the surface smooth.
My first attempt with the paint was a failure...I bought a Duplicolor silver metallic that seemed to match the color of the dash, but it was way off, and also had an issue with the metallic particles on the paint and the magnets behind the mount...FYI...apparently metallic flakes on the paint are actually metallic you can see how all the particles gathered towards the magnets.
So after this failure, I sanded the silver paint and decided to go with the good ol' flat black. Before this, I repainted it with primer and sanded again the surface to make it smooth. After it was painted, I added some balck suede to the back of the mount to protect the dash and also where the ipad sits. Previously, I had already installed the magnets behind my dash. This was the end result.
Adding up everything I used (not counting things I already had like glue, sandoaper, bondo or the silver freaking duplicolor paint) this was roughly the cost of the mount in USD.
Lasercut cardbord prototype (material included): $5
Lasercut MDF pieces (material included): $7
Duplicolor filler primer: $4.50
Duplicolor flat black: $4.50
Ipad smart cover magnet (I already had the case laying around): $7
8 neodinium magnets: $8
Black suede (1m x 50cm): $2.50
For the grand total of $38.50 USD
Pretty good deal if you ask me
Hi, I'd like to get the specs for this. Send me a dam and we can discuss this further.
So this was my second attempt at making an ipad mini dash mount. I always loved the ones sold on different websites...but being from Mexico, I had not many options and there was no way I was paying $300-$400 + shipping for one of those, so I said...let's give it a shot.
I had a rough idea of what I wanted and needed because this was my second attempt, the first one I did was all handmade, it worked ok, but it wasn't perfect and had some aesthetic issues. So I took some measurements from the old one and did some adjustments. Being a designer, I transfered everything to the computer and did some templates to laser-cut on MDF.
These were the pieces that resulted after a previous test I did on cardboard and some adjustments. The circular spots are just glue marks from the test fit. As you can see, I left some cutouts for neodinium magnets to hold it to the dashboard.
I pasted all the layers with contact cement, and before adding the las piece, I glued a magnetic strip on the top to hold the ipad in place, which I took from one of those chinese smart covers for the ipad. I then added the last piece on top.
After this step, and after pasting the magnets on the back, the mount was functional, but being as picky as a designer can be, I added bondo to the sides to make it look nice. (Btw, I still need to polish my bodywork skills)
It came out ok.
After this step, I forgot to take some pictures, but basically I just painted it with filler primer and then light sanded it with 300 grid sandpaper to make the surface smooth.
My first attempt with the paint was a failure...I bought a Duplicolor silver metallic that seemed to match the color of the dash, but it was way off, and also had an issue with the metallic particles on the paint and the magnets behind the mount...FYI...apparently metallic flakes on the paint are actually metallic you can see how all the particles gathered towards the magnets.
So after this failure, I sanded the silver paint and decided to go with the good ol' flat black. Before this, I repainted it with primer and sanded again the surface to make it smooth. After it was painted, I added some balck suede to the back of the mount to protect the dash and also where the ipad sits. Previously, I had already installed the magnets behind my dash. This was the end result.
Adding up everything I used (not counting things I already had like glue, sandoaper, bondo or the silver freaking duplicolor paint) this was roughly the cost of the mount in USD.
Lasercut cardbord prototype (material included): $5
Lasercut MDF pieces (material included): $7
Duplicolor filler primer: $4.50
Duplicolor flat black: $4.50
Ipad smart cover magnet (I already had the case laying around): $7
8 neodinium magnets: $8
Black suede (1m x 50cm): $2.50
For the grand total of $38.50 USD
Pretty good deal if you ask me
me podrías ayudar con tu whatsapp por favor estoy interesado en hacerlo
I’m interested and was wondering if you would do it for me 2017 Base mustang?
Originally Posted by ramiro1989
So this was my second attempt at making an ipad mini dash mount. I always loved the ones sold on different websites...but being from Mexico, I had not many options and there was no way I was paying $300-$400 + shipping for one of those, so I said...let's give it a shot.
I had a rough idea of what I wanted and needed because this was my second attempt, the first one I did was all handmade, it worked ok, but it wasn't perfect and had some aesthetic issues. So I took some measurements from the old one and did some adjustments. Being a designer, I transfered everything to the computer and did some templates to laser-cut on MDF.
These were the pieces that resulted after a previous test I did on cardboard and some adjustments. The circular spots are just glue marks from the test fit. As you can see, I left some cutouts for neodinium magnets to hold it to the dashboard.
I pasted all the layers with contact cement, and before adding the las piece, I glued a magnetic strip on the top to hold the ipad in place, which I took from one of those chinese smart covers for the ipad. I then added the last piece on top.
After this step, and after pasting the magnets on the back, the mount was functional, but being as picky as a designer can be, I added bondo to the sides to make it look nice. (Btw, I still need to polish my bodywork skills)
It came out ok.
After this step, I forgot to take some pictures, but basically I just painted it with filler primer and then light sanded it with 300 grid sandpaper to make the surface smooth.
My first attempt with the paint was a failure...I bought a Duplicolor silver metallic that seemed to match the color of the dash, but it was way off, and also had an issue with the metallic particles on the paint and the magnets behind the mount...FYI...apparently metallic flakes on the paint are actually metallic you can see how all the particles gathered towards the magnets.
So after this failure, I sanded the silver paint and decided to go with the good ol' flat black. Before this, I repainted it with primer and sanded again the surface to make it smooth. After it was painted, I added some balck suede to the back of the mount to protect the dash and also where the ipad sits. Previously, I had already installed the magnets behind my dash. This was the end result.
Adding up everything I used (not counting things I already had like glue, sandoaper, bondo or the silver freaking duplicolor paint) this was roughly the cost of the mount in USD.
Lasercut cardbord prototype (material included): $5
Lasercut MDF pieces (material included): $7
Duplicolor filler primer: $4.50
Duplicolor flat black: $4.50
Ipad smart cover magnet (I already had the case laying around): $7
8 neodinium magnets: $8
Black suede (1m x 50cm): $2.50
I'm working on a guide to show how to assemble one for yourself. I would sell you the templates for a reasonable price, so yo can laser cut all the parts wherever you are in the world.
Send me a PM if you're interested.
Last edited by ramiro1989; Mar 27, 2021 at 12:52 AM.
Reason: Error on my reply
you can see how all the particles gathered towards the magnets.
