3. Build the Lego base station.
3a. Follow these illustrations to build the base station.
Run the charger brick wires over the top of the 8× 16
base brick and then behind it (Figures H and I).
3b. Color-code the connections with a 2× 2 plate on
the device end and a 2× 2 brick on the charger end.
I used a white plate on my iPod plug, and a white
brick under its corresponding charger brick. Since
the wire bricks are 2/3 normal brick height, the 2× 2
brick provides a nice little ledge for additional insurance against your gadget falling tragically to the
floor (Figures J and K).
3e. Pull the 4 screw bricks from the base station,
then screw them into the wall. Remount the base
station to the wall (Figures N and O).
3f. Plug in your wall chargers, hang your keys and
gadgets on their new home, and, most importantly,
bask in the immense inner calm of knowing your
stuff is now neatly organized and humming with
power (pictured above).
John Edgar Park ( jp@jpixl.net) is a character mechanic at
Walt Disney Animation Studios.
3c. Using the Dremel, carefully drill a hole for a
wood screw into 4 of the 2× 2 bricks. Use a burr bit
to create an angled hole so that the screws can be
countersunk. Now drop the wood screws into the
holes (Figure L).
3d. Mount the base station onto the 4 screw bricks.
Measure, mark, and drill holes for mounting on your
wall. Make sure you’re near enough to an outlet to
plug in the chargers. Depending on the wall you’ll be
mounting this on, you may need to drill the wall for
anchors as well (Figure M).
Small-Order Metal: Speedy Metals ( speedymetals.com) is a great place for ordering small quantities of metals for your projects. I’ve ordered brass tube stock, 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, and tool steel from them. Shipping is fast, and they are geared toward small orders — so they’re not “put out” when you only order only one or two items. —Devon Prescott Find more tools-n-tips at makezine.com/tnt.
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