DIY Steel iPad Monitor Mount

 in FABRICATION PROJECTS  tagged DIY iPad mount / iPad air / iPad as monitor / iPad as second monitor / iPad as third monitor / iPad monitor mount / iPad USB monitor / Steel iPad Mount by

I already have two monitors at work for my day job, but I recently discovered that with a $10 app, I could use my iPad as a 3rd monitor! So of course in DIY fashion, I had to see if I could fabricate a mount for the iPad that attaches to one of my monitors.

OK, so I may like doing manly things like welding stuff out of steel in the garage, but I am still a super-nerd at heart. I deal with large spreadsheets all day long at work and have a seriously deficient short term memory. I can’t remember an 8 digit serial number, switch screens, and type it back in to save my life. So I use multiple monitors to help me go A LOT faster.

When I recently figured out that somebody had made an app to use an iPad as a monitor, I immediately bought it. It is called “Twomon” and is available in the app store. My laptop was previously unable to run 3 monitors because it didn’t have a videocard that was capable. The Twomon program creates a virtual display driver and channels the video through the iPad USB cord. A little finicky from time to time, but for a grand total of $10, it exceeds my expectations.

So now, on to the fabrication! An iPad doesn’t work very well as a monitor if you can’t put it at the right angle to see. So I needed to come up with a solution. Of course, I could go out and buy an adjustable mount, but that is too easy when I have a garage full of tools at home.

Making the pattern

Before you start, you will need to look at your existing setup. See if your monitor has a place for you to mount to on the back. Mine had the standard VESA mount with four threaded holes which worked great. If yours doesn’t then you might have to come up with a mount that sits on the desk or clamps to the monitor stand.

So, to make the bracket. I started by making a template out of two sheets of paper. The vast majority of monitors have a universal 4 bolt mounting area on the back of them that I plan to mount to.
So, to make the bracket. I started by making a template out of two sheets of paper. The vast majority of monitors have a universal 4 bolt VESA mounting pattern on the back of them that I plan to mount to.
I grabbed some steel out from under my workbench. What I ended up using was 1" wide 12 gauge steel available at any hardware store in 3 and 6 foot pieces.
I grabbed some steel out from under my workbench. What I ended up using was 1″ wide 12 gauge steel available at any hardware store in 3 and 6 foot pieces. Feel free to use whatever scraps you have laying around though.

Making the mount

Cut the first pieces out to match my pattern. I actually ended up cutting all of the pieces with a large set of bolt cutters (clean cut, no sparks)
Cut the first pieces out to match my pattern. I actually ended up cutting all of the pieces with a large set of bolt cutters (clean cut, no sparks)
DIY Steel iPad Monitor Mount
After welding them together with my MIG welder, I thought that the iPad might need a little extra support so it didn’t have the potential to fall off the back of the stand. So I added this extra finger on (top right, marked for me to cut).
All welded together.
All welded together.
DIY Steel iPad Monitor Mount
Next up, I welded two hooks/brackets onto the bottom for the iPad (bottom right of the picture). I had some appropriately shaped tabs laying around, but you could have easily made them out of the same 1″ wide steel that the rest of it is made out of.
DIY Steel iPad Monitor Mount
After drilling the mounting holes, I painted it and let it dry overnight.

Final Product

DIY Steel iPad Monitor Mount
Then I got to install and try it out the next day. The iPad seemed like it was mounted kind of high at first, but after using it for a week, I decided that I actually like it better up high because it is easier to type on when doing actual iPad things.
DIY Steel iPad Monitor Mount
Also works in panoramic mode 🙂

So there you have it. A quick way to make a DIY iPad monitor mount from scratch. Not only did you save yourself some money, but you most likely learned something in the process. Congratulations, have yourself a beer. In my case, I poured one of my just finished home brewed Belgian Blondes.

Cheers.
Cheers.

Alternative Products

Don’t have a welder or desire to make one yourself?

Check out some of these on Amazon:

Check price and reviews on Amazon
Check price and reviews on Amazon

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