Phone tripod mount (Nexus 4 with flip cover case)

thingiverse

I designed a custom phone tripod mount for my Nexus 4, specifically to work seamlessly with the flip cover case that fits snugly over my device. The best part? My design still allows the phone to be charged via power while I'm snapping time-lapse shots all day long. And, just as a bonus, the included Sketchup file will come in handy when printing out this cool creation. But what really sets my approach apart is how I experiment with creating separate print parts that can then be bonded together using a specialized ABS/acetone goo mixture. This powerful bonding agent not only forms ultra-strong joints but also enables me to design parts without needing any supporting structures - allowing them to be printed in their strongest possible orientation on the build bed. First, I make sure to securely insert a 1/4-20 nut (a standard camera tripod mount thread) into the 'nut block' component. To ensure a perfect fit, I apply some extra pressure with another nut pressed firmly over the top - this helps push it all the way in place. Next, I mix up some leftover ABS filament and acetone in a small glass container to create my gooey bonding agent. With a popsicle stick, I carefully spread a layer of the mixture across each joint before securing them tightly with clamps. Letting everything dry for approximately 10 hours yields some incredibly solid bonds - making any remaining bumps at the joints disappear once smoothed out. Given my optimal print settings (a .2mm layer height and a hex infill of around 50%), it takes just under two hours to print all the individual components required for this phone tripod mount. Once those are assembled and smoothed out, I simply coat everything with some gray primer paint - voila! The resulting structure looks amazing and can hold my phone firmly in place with one reliable rubber band.