Outdoor (probably) Weather-Resistant HomePod mini holder

thingiverse

## What and Why? I love my HomePod Minis, but I want to have one outside that is somewhat protected in case of rain. Not finding any suitable enclosures, I decided to design something that would keep the speaker out of the elements in case it started raining or I forgot to bring the speaker inside. (Obviously, I can't guarantee that this is waterproof. The cord is intended to be loose fitting so that, if water should get in, it can drain out that same hole. I would imagine that, unless the thing is submerged, it should keep the elements from coming in direct contact with the speaker inside, but no promises!) It appears that the Amazon Echo Dot v4 is the same circumference sphere as the HomePod Mini, so this MIGHT work with those, too. I don't have one to test, though. ## What you need This build uses speaker fabric like this, but any fabric should work: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094ZVMTZ7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Waterproofing Spray. I used something like this, but anything like it will work, too: https://www.amazon.com/KIWI-Camp-Heavy-Water-Repellant/dp/B01KZLKN78/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=kiwi+waterproofing&qid=1657560171&sr=8-10 You'll also need some window screen spline to hold the fabric into the channels that are on the top and bottom of the cage piece. I used .140" (3.6mm), like this: https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-7519-Screen-Retainer-Spline/dp/B000BQMMJK/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=screen+spline&qid=1657559446&sr=8-7 Finally, you'll need some no-iron hem tape, like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018BVNIS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details ## What to print: * 1x Cage (either the full sized one or the shorter one. Just based on your preference. Print this first because you can do things to it while the other stuff prints. Supports are required for the bottom and the top/bottom slots, but you don't need them inside the oval holes on the side) * 1x Base (supports not required, but are nice to have to give the bottom of the fingers a nice foundation) * 1x Top (either Rounded or Roman Ogee. Feel free to make your own, too.) * 1x Ring (matching the style of the top) (The two-tone effect on the top and ring was done with a pause/filament change script during printing) ## Assembly Next time I make one I'll take pictures of the assembly, but for now here are the steps: 1. While your base, top, and ring are printing, take your cage and cut your fabric to fit. I cut mine about 3/4" wider than the height of the cage, and an inch or so longer than the circumference. 2. Cut two lengths of the screen spline long enough to fit around the circumference of the cage. Err on the long side - you can trim later. 3. Begin applying the fabric to the cage by placing a piece of the hem tape on the vertical support that's directly above the hole that's made for the speaker cable to go through (on the bottom of the cage). It should stick pretty well, and you can use it as the starting place to put the fabric. 4. As you wrap the fabric around, place the screen spline over the fabric and push both the fabric and the spline into the grooves at the top and bottom. Work slowly - maybe an inch or two at at time before switching ends. You may have to adjust as you go, and it's totally find to pull up the spine and start over. Just don't try to pull the fabric off the hem tape - that stuff is permanent! 5. Once you get all the way around, you want the end of the fabric to overlap with the start by about the width of the hem tape. Once you you where that line is, place another piece of hem tape over there area where you'll trim the leftovers (leave one side of the hem tape covered). 6. Cut on your line, trimming both the hem tape and the fabric, so there's a nice edge. This way there's no sticky stuff exposed on the outside of the speaker. (You can't really reposition the fabric once it's taped, so this is the best way to ensure a clean fit.) 7. Finish inserting the spline. 8. After this is done, you'll need to apply some waterproofing. Follow the instructions on the can. >(Just one coat was satisfactory for me since I was worried that two coats would alter sound quality and/or air flow.) > >(After 24 hours, the cage will be dry and complete. Hopefully your other components have printed, too.) 9. To assemble, trim any excess cloth and use super glue or epoxy to adhere the top to the cage (I prefer epoxy since it is better at gap filling). Just put some on the top of the cage, set the top piece on, and clamp for however long you need. 10. For the ring, I like to put down some parchment or wax paper for the enclosure to sit on. Then, I line the inside of the ring with epoxy before pushing the cage into the ring, being careful to line up the holes for the cable to pass through. The wax paper will still stick to the epoxy, but it's easy to clean up with a razor after, and it's better than gluing your new enclosure to the counter/workbench/table. 11. Finally, insert the speaker into the fingers of the base, line up the cord holes and insert the speaker into the enclosure. You can use small screws to attach the base to the cage. I used #8 machine screws. ## Final Thoughts Obviously this design doesn't allow for using the top controls, but voice commands work great and the sound isn't terribly affected. Hope these instructions make sense. Enjoy! (Thanks to Dragone18 for the finger-like design to hold the HomePod Mini: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4721772)