Adjusting Binder Clip and Base Stand for Small Smartphones or Small Tablets

I have seen many custom smartphone stands and wanted to contribute one.

This project using a credit card sized base (metal, plastic, or old credit card, etc); some spare office binder clips and paper clips (rail tracks) to make a sliding tabletop smartphone and small tablet stand.

1. 1 credit card sized square base (metal, plastic, etc)
2. 1 large binder clip 
3. 2 medium binder clips 
4. 4 small binder clips 
5. 2 paper clips (for sliding track through binder loops underneath)
6. pair of needle-nosed pliers (for bending)
7. protective gloves

Get a base that is credit card size. It can be a cutout of metal or plastic or an old used gift card. Standard size is which is 3.370 in × 2.125 in.

You can be creative and add flare and colors!

Note: Since working with metal pieces, please use protective gloves.

Get some spare binder clips. Only need 1 large binder clip with the metal loop handles. Then 2 medium binder clips without the metal loop handles. Lastly, 4 smaller binder clips without the metal loop handles.

The large binder will need the metal loop handles closed together. This is to balance the back of the device. Like my initial picture. More on that at the end of the project.

Also you can add flare and color with those binders clips!

You will need two of these paper clips. These come in colors, if you want the flare and color (first picture).

The paper clips are used as the sliding track underneath the credit card sized base. More on that in a moment.

Start off making these paper clips as straight as you can. It does not have to be perfect, just straight for right now. (second picture). More about that in a moment.

Note: instead of using paper clips, you can use stronger materials such as a straight thin cut-out piece of metal coat hanger trimmed to fit and for added support to the base of the stand. It will take more effort to bend and shape.

Binder and straightened paper clip:

Use 2 small binder clips and insert the straighten paper clip through the small holes on each of the binder clips edges.

Then layout the pieces as shown. The part with the inserted paper clips should be facing each other. (picture). Position it so that the paper clip side is on top.

Next, get the other 2 smaller binder clips and 2 medium binder clips.

For each, inter-connect one smaller binder edge inside medium binder clips clamping edge (first picture).

If trouble connecting them, then use the metal loop handles to open the binder and interconnect them that way. Take the metal loop handles off when done though.

Next, slide the small binder clips with the straighten paper clip onto the each long-edge side of the credit card sized base. Position the binder towards the middle (picture). And adjust the straighten paper clip so that it is approximately equally positioned (picture)

The small binders should be a little tight but loose enough to slide along the base’s long-edge. (picture)

Take the 2 medium binders that were interconnected with the smaller binder clips in step 5 and slide each medium binder clamp edge to the base’s short edge. (picture)

Make sure the side with the smaller binder is on the bottom (picture)

Next part is a bit tricky, however doable.

Use the pliers and bend the ends (4 of them) of the straighten paper clip in an L-shaped position through one of the Medium binder clips edge with the holes. (picture)

And then use the pliers to bend the remaining piece of the paper clip piece back towards the base long-edge. (picture)

This creates a lock-in-place for the track. Needed to remove; reattach the binder with the straighten paper clip and also bend the L-shaped position about 3 times to get it straight and right!

Flipping over for what was the bottom is now the top-view.

Looking from top-view this time (step 9)

Take the large binder clip with the metal loop handles together and insert its bottom side edges inside the small binders already clamped to the base (since step 8). Best way is to do this… move the small binders to opposite corners. (picture)

Angle the large binder clip and align its bottom edge to slide between the clips on the base (first picture).

Move the larger binder with the metal loop handles back-and-forward to get a feel of adjustment.

The larger binder clip needs to be clamped into place on both sides of its openings with the smaller binder clip. The larger binder is the adjustable sliding part.

Place the smartphone or small tablet between the groove opening. Adjust it so the smartphone or tablet can be angled as desired.

Enjoy your completed smartphone / tablet stand (second picture).

Post comments for improvements.

Thank you!

So far your completed project should look like the first picture. However, charger support would be nice! Smile! :-)

Note: Before starting, there are various ways to tinkering with this. This is one of many ways! Preferably a wireless charger or base is optimal if your device supports it. Just contributing to the fun of making MacGyver-type stand. Remember that show? Smile!

Continuing on…You will need 2 handles from the medium binder clips and 1 existing handle from the large binder clip already connected on the base as shown.

Interconnect the medium handles by inserting one of them in the top loop opening of the other. It should look like the picture shown.

Next, connect handle part with the extended ends (“V” shape) into the medium clips edge (top view of the base) looped holes.

The connected handles to the medium clips will need to be the same as the picture shown. The other “V” shape from the handle needs to be upwards. This will hold the charger cord in place.

Next, take the existing larger binder clip handle (already connected) and remove it. Insert large handles inside the larger binder clip clamp. The larger handle needs to be inverted and “V” shaped part upward. Make sure to use the large binder clip handle that is positioned on the same side the pieces were connected in Step 14. The connected pieces need to be like the picture shown. This “V” shape of the inverted large handle will support the back of the device.

Insert your device bottom edge with the charger port toward bottom “V” shaped medium clip and then gently lay the back of your device towards the top “V” shaped larger clip.

note: if the device is not too weighted, then it will be positioned at an angle. Confirm your device is stable and balanced. Connect your charger cord. See picture.

Again. Enjoy your completed smartphone / tablet stand! Posted comments for improvement are welcomed. Thank you!