Upcycled Planetary Nightstand

After destroying a kitchen cabinet I ended up with a lot of extra 2x4s, particle board and what I believe to be basswood sheets. I decided to use these extra pieces to make a simple nightstand with a built in wireless charger and ""hologram" inside.

Electronics:

• iPad (9.7 in used in this project but any can be used)
• iPad Case
• Wireless charger (preferably one that can plug into a USB outlet)

Building Material:

• 2x4 wood for frame
• 4 pieces at 22.5 in each
• 2x4 wood for base
• 2 pieces at 19 in and 2 pieces at 10.25 in
• Particle Board
• 2 pieces at 21 in x 23 in
• Basswood sheets
• 2 pieces at 23 in x 23 in (front and back) and two pieces at 21 in x 23 in (side pieces)
• 3/16" x 12 in poplar dowels
• 2 pieces at 7 in long
• 8 in. x 10 in. x .093 in. Polycarbonate Sheets
• 1 pieces
• Black spray-paint
• 2 cans
• Screws

Tools:

• Jigsaw
• Table Saw (or circular saw)
• Drill
• Hot glue gun
• Staple gun

For the hologram I put a case on my iPad to keep the hot glue from damaging it.

As shown in the picture rest the 8 in side of the plexiglass on the longer side of the iPad and use hot glue to keep it there.

Next glue the two dowels to the iPad case and to the plexiglass.

All items that were glued to the case were glued on the edges.

Using one of the pieces of particle board draw a rectangle in the center that is 2 in away from each edge.

Next using the 4 pieces of 2x4 cut at 19 in and 10.25 in, place them touching the line you made and screw them in.

Each piece of wood should be 2 in away from the edge of the particle board.

Using the wireless charger you have selected, place it face down wherever you would like it on your nightstand, then using a sharpie or pen make an outline.

Use the drill to make a hole in the center, then use the jig saw to cut out the outline you have made.

Place the wireless charger in the hole you have made, and apply hot glue from the bottom to keep it in place.

To manage the wires you can use a staple gun to keep the wires from being a mess.

Attach the 4 22.5 in pieces of 2x4 to each edge of the base, then attach the top piece.

Once the basic frame of the nightstand is put together, attach the two side pieces and back piece to the nightstand using the staple gun.

Drill a hole in the back piece to run the wires for the wireless charger and the iPad through.

Create an outline of a circle with a diameter of 7in in the center of the front panel. ( to make it easier you can use something approximately this size such as a plate or pot to make an outline)

Use a drill to first make a hole in the center, then use the jig saw to cut out the circle.

Put the iPad with the plexiglass on the back of the new hole, and use hot glue to put it in place so the "hologram" can be viewed through it.

Before attaching the front panel run all the wires through the back hole made in the previous step.

Attach the front panel to the nightstand using the staple gun.

Once it is attached cover the hole with a napkin or rag to avoid getting paint on the plexiglass.

Paint the nightstand using the spray-paint. Although I painted mine all black those who are more creative can use the nightstand as a canvas for any of their ideas. I eventually picked up a red spray paint can and started messing around with other ideas.

Go on YouTube and find a video of planets or Earth that you like and put it on loop.

After completing this project I realized that in my next iteration I would use a monitor with a raspberry pi instead of an iPad as it would be easier to control when I wanted to change the content.

Using a monitor would also allow me to have a larger screen and therefore create a bigger "window" to view the planets.