kraiye
22-04-2009, 09:30 PM
Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!
If you're after a simple, minimalistic and unobtrusive way to mount your iPod - as I was - then I'd suggest giving this a go. (NB: You can only use the iPods headphone jack with this holder and not the iPod docking port).
- I think this is my first DIY ;)
Aim: To make a dash mount for my Gen 3 iPod - may work with other versions if the iPod packaging is similar :thumbsup:
Required: Original iPod packaging/housing; a used Ambi Pur (or similar) air freshener; hacksaw; vice or clamp; pop rivet gun; a pop rivet, a drill bit (and drill) the same size as the rivet; fine sand paper; can of spray paint (optional).
Steps:
I'd been waiting for my Ambi Pur air freshener to run out for a while so I could give this a shot. It costs $7 for a refill only, or $8 for a whole new one - obviously you'd want a whole new unit.
Unfortunately I didn't think of doing a DIY until I'd already started so I haven't got as many pics as I'd like.
Anyway...
Take your used (or new) air freshener and snap the metal clips off the back of it.
Here's my specimen:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9901/01specimen1.jpg
and the bit you need:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9397/02specimen2.jpg
Snap the "claws" off the main body. Just grab the claws in one hand and the main body in the other and bend back and forth and up and down until the claws break free.
(NB: if you work in I.T or have an office job you may need pliers to assist your girly hands :p)
Use the hacksaw to chop the overhang off the iPod packaging.
Here's one side done (NB: a vice is very helpful):
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6917/04onecut.jpg
To get a straight line, butt the hacksaw up against the protruding arms while you cut.
Sand down the rough edges and round off your corners.
All cut and sanded:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5265/05allcut.jpg
Now's the time to paint it if you like. Because you still need to handle it a bit, let it dry completely before continuing and don't forget to give it a light sand with a fine sand paper all over before spraying.
The pop-rivet I used (about 3.5mm I think) was slightly larger than the hole in the "claws" so I had to drill it out.
Place your iPod in the holder. Now make a mark on the back of the holder, directly in line with the middle button of the iPod.
Remove the iPod and drill a hole where you just marked for the pop rivet.
- The reason the hole is drilled here is that it's the central pressure point when you press buttons on the iPod - ie: because it's mounted on the air vents, the vents are less likely to move as much when you're pressing buttons on the ipod :thumbsup:
Put a rivet in your gun and place it through the front of the iPod holder. Slide the claws onto the end of the rivet. Now SQUEAZE!!!
Half way there with the rivet:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/129/06riveting.jpg
Here you can see where the claws line up with the middle button of the ipod:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3909/07riveted.jpg
Guess what...?
YOU'RE DONE!!
How easy is that! :wave:
Some shots of the final thing in action:
No iPod:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2016/08finalincaro.jpg
With iPod:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5466/09incar.jpg
My dash at the moment:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1605/10incar.jpg
If you're worried about scratches on your ipod from the rivet... don't be. There's a good 2-3 mm clearance:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5277/11clearance.jpg
By the way, my iPod and holder still fit back in the original plastic case with the headphones and USB lead :)
Next you'll probably want a short 3.5mm aux cable to go from your iPod to 'aux in' on you head unit. Don't spend a completely ridiculous $20 at Dick Smith / Tandy for a 30cm lead!!
From the same stores you can buy 50cm wire and two 3.5mm jacks for about $4 or $5. 10 min of soldering and u have a good, cheap lead :thumbsup:
You may ask "Why not just buy one from Supercheap for $13.95?"
Because makin' stuff is fun! And well, bought ones can not only be chunky but the clips at the back are located up high meaning the iPod hangs down over the air vent, obstructing most of it.
Don't forget to reply if u make one and post a some pics :thumbsup:
If you're after a simple, minimalistic and unobtrusive way to mount your iPod - as I was - then I'd suggest giving this a go. (NB: You can only use the iPods headphone jack with this holder and not the iPod docking port).
- I think this is my first DIY ;)
Aim: To make a dash mount for my Gen 3 iPod - may work with other versions if the iPod packaging is similar :thumbsup:
Required: Original iPod packaging/housing; a used Ambi Pur (or similar) air freshener; hacksaw; vice or clamp; pop rivet gun; a pop rivet, a drill bit (and drill) the same size as the rivet; fine sand paper; can of spray paint (optional).
Steps:
I'd been waiting for my Ambi Pur air freshener to run out for a while so I could give this a shot. It costs $7 for a refill only, or $8 for a whole new one - obviously you'd want a whole new unit.
Unfortunately I didn't think of doing a DIY until I'd already started so I haven't got as many pics as I'd like.
Anyway...
Take your used (or new) air freshener and snap the metal clips off the back of it.
Here's my specimen:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9901/01specimen1.jpg
and the bit you need:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9397/02specimen2.jpg
Snap the "claws" off the main body. Just grab the claws in one hand and the main body in the other and bend back and forth and up and down until the claws break free.
(NB: if you work in I.T or have an office job you may need pliers to assist your girly hands :p)
Use the hacksaw to chop the overhang off the iPod packaging.
Here's one side done (NB: a vice is very helpful):
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6917/04onecut.jpg
To get a straight line, butt the hacksaw up against the protruding arms while you cut.
Sand down the rough edges and round off your corners.
All cut and sanded:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5265/05allcut.jpg
Now's the time to paint it if you like. Because you still need to handle it a bit, let it dry completely before continuing and don't forget to give it a light sand with a fine sand paper all over before spraying.
The pop-rivet I used (about 3.5mm I think) was slightly larger than the hole in the "claws" so I had to drill it out.
Place your iPod in the holder. Now make a mark on the back of the holder, directly in line with the middle button of the iPod.
Remove the iPod and drill a hole where you just marked for the pop rivet.
- The reason the hole is drilled here is that it's the central pressure point when you press buttons on the iPod - ie: because it's mounted on the air vents, the vents are less likely to move as much when you're pressing buttons on the ipod :thumbsup:
Put a rivet in your gun and place it through the front of the iPod holder. Slide the claws onto the end of the rivet. Now SQUEAZE!!!
Half way there with the rivet:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/129/06riveting.jpg
Here you can see where the claws line up with the middle button of the ipod:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3909/07riveted.jpg
Guess what...?
YOU'RE DONE!!
How easy is that! :wave:
Some shots of the final thing in action:
No iPod:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2016/08finalincaro.jpg
With iPod:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5466/09incar.jpg
My dash at the moment:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1605/10incar.jpg
If you're worried about scratches on your ipod from the rivet... don't be. There's a good 2-3 mm clearance:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5277/11clearance.jpg
By the way, my iPod and holder still fit back in the original plastic case with the headphones and USB lead :)
Next you'll probably want a short 3.5mm aux cable to go from your iPod to 'aux in' on you head unit. Don't spend a completely ridiculous $20 at Dick Smith / Tandy for a 30cm lead!!
From the same stores you can buy 50cm wire and two 3.5mm jacks for about $4 or $5. 10 min of soldering and u have a good, cheap lead :thumbsup:
You may ask "Why not just buy one from Supercheap for $13.95?"
Because makin' stuff is fun! And well, bought ones can not only be chunky but the clips at the back are located up high meaning the iPod hangs down over the air vent, obstructing most of it.
Don't forget to reply if u make one and post a some pics :thumbsup: