PocketProp: an Ultra-Thin Phone Stand

I use a phone stand every day when I work. It helps me keep my phone standing up so I can see timers, reminders, or notes while it’s charging. The stand I have at my desk is awesome. It's strong and at the right angle, but it’s big and doesn’t fold. This means I can’t take it with me when I travel or go to a café.

On the other hand, I also have a flat folding stand that’s perfect for taking with me, but it has some problems. It can’t hold my phone while it’s charging, and it doesn’t feel as sturdy or nice to use. This made me think: Why can’t there be a stand that folds flat, supports charging, and is still simple and stylish?

So, I decided to create one. I wanted a simple, low-profile stand that folds all the way flat, is light enough to fit in a bag, and actually works the way I need it to. That’s how PocketProp was created.

PocketProp is a really slim and portable phone stand made from thin basswood and a tiny hinge. It can fold completely flat, but you can still charge your phone and use it in both ways. It was created to mix the best parts of big desktop stands and small travel ones, without any of their problems.

SUPPLIES:

-1/16” basswood sheets

-1 small hinge (~1 inch wide)

-Printed templates (from CAD design)

-Glue stick (to attach templates)

-Super glue (or wood glue for better bond)

TOOLS:

-Utility knife

-Ruler

-Sandpaper or sanding block

-Printer (for template)

-Calipers (for hinge measurements)

-CAD software (optional for design, but helpful)

I began by tracing the side profile of my favorite desktop stand in CAD software. I made sure to include the angle, backstop, and charging hole. This helped me understand exactly what works well, and what I needed to replicate.

Then, I used calipers to get measurements from the hinge I was using, and modelling a replica in CAD according to the specifications. I used a rotational constraint to allow for accurate hinge movement in the full model.

Next, I modified the design to allow the stand to fold flat. I added the hinge between the two sides and created two-layer pieces so the hinge could sit flush inside the stand. I also mirrored the two halves so they’d match when folded.

(I have provided the CAD file and here is the CAD link to further understand how the stand is dimensioned and assembled)

I picked 1/16" basswood sheets from Amazon. It’s thin, lightweight, and easy to work with. When layered, it’s strong enough to support a phone without flexing, and it gives a clean wood finish.

I printed scaled templates of the outer and inner stand layers directly from CAD. Then I used a glue stick to carefully attach them to the basswood sheets.

(I have provided a printing template that includes all 4 flat components)

Using a ruler and utility knife, I scored then cut along all the straight lines. For curves and corners, I made rough cuts with strong scissors and left a little extra to sand down later. I cut out all four pieces, two outer layers and two inner ones with hinge cutouts.

(Any cutting instrument should suffice but be aware that you may experience tear-out depending on how rough the process is)

After making sure each shape was accurate, I peeled off the paper templates and glued each inner layer to its matching outer piece, creating two symmetrical sides. The inner layer had a cutout for the hinge so the final result would stay flush and clean.

(Super glue or a thin coat of wood glue is likely ideal for adhering the two layers of each side)

To further clean everything up, I did a rough sand on all edges to smooth them and get rid of sharp corners or template leftover. The shapes didn’t have to be perfect at this point, just close.

(You can achieve smoother edges by working your way towards finer grit sandpaper. Keep in mind that basswood is very soft and could get fuzzy)

I placed the hinge into the cutout of one half and applied a short line of hot glue to secure it. I made sure it was perfectly straight before letting it dry.

(You may also be able to use super glue for this step)

With the hinge open, I lined up the other stand side and glued it down, checking with the hinge was in its folded position to ensure perfect alignment when opening and closing.

(I put some paper in the hinge to prevent glue from escaping through the screw holes)

After the glue dried, I gave the whole stand a final sanding pass to make the edges line up and smooth everything out. This step made a big difference in the overall feel.

I tested the stand with my phone in both portrait and landscape positions, and with a charging cable plugged in. It worked exactly as I hoped. It holds the phone at the right angle, is stable, and folds flat like a card.

While the prototype already meets my goals, future versions could use wood glue for a cleaner bond or be stained/sealed for durability. Even so, this version works great and fits easily in a laptop sleeve or pocket, making it perfect for on the go productivity.

PocketProp combines portability, simplicity, and usefulness in one tiny package. It’s a satisfying solution to a problem I didn’t realize I could fix myself. Whether you're at a desk or out and about, this little stand fits right into your workflow, literally and figuratively.