iPhone amplifier / Speaker out of Wood
This is a terrific project that I decided to build for myself. I never want to spend $75 on an iPod / iPhone dock that burns through batteries, but I would like an amplifier for my iPhone. This wooden iPhone dock is a fantastic project. The plans were inspired by others around the web including Koostik.com and a similar iPhone amp project at LumberJocks.com.
This project was a great one that allowed me to work with my 9 year old son. He was happy to work with the drill press to help with the holes and with the spindle sander to clean them up.
Wooden iPhone Amplifier
Download the full iPhone Amplifier Sketchup plan by clicking on the image below:
iPhone Amp Plan
I built mine by using 3 pieces of Cherry that were left over from a past project. I love working with Cherry and the finish always turns out terrific.
There are 3 basic pieces. I began with Part 2 since it had the most work and would be the least visible since it is sandwiched by parts 1 and 3. Follow the Sketchup plan (click the image for the file download, or
click here: http://www.woodworkcity.com/planpictures/iphone-amp.skp .
To construct your own, fabricate each of the 3 pieces from the Sketchup plan. Once you have your three pieces, align, glue, and clamp. After mine was fully set, I flushed up the edges with my chop saw. In addition to that, I wanted my iPhone amp to lean back a bit. This would help to retain the iPhone and give a more professional (finished) look to the piece. I set my saw blade at about 10 degrees and took a sliver off of the bottom. I also decided to put a routed edge on the speaker holes. I used a simple 45 degree chamfer bit.
Perform any finish sanding needed, apply your sealant, paint, or stain, and enjoy!
iPhone Amplifier Plans
A reader requested some additional options for non Sketchup users. I have included a Word version, PDF version, along with some larger scale images:
Word Doc: http://woodworkcity.bitnamiapp.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iPhone-Amp.docx
PDF: http://woodworkcity.bitnamiapp.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iPhone-Amp.pdf
Large Images:
http://woodworkcity.bitnamiapp.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iphone-amp.jpg
http://woodworkcity.bitnamiapp.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iphone-amp1.jpg
http://woodworkcity.bitnamiapp.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iphone-amp2.jpg
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[...] can’t take all the credit of course, since she found the actual plans at Woodwork City, but her version has the poise, flair, and documentation that only a designer could bring to the [...]
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[...] can’t take all the credit of course, since she found the actual plans at Woodwork City, but her version has the poise, flair, and documentation that only a designer could bring to the [...]
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From a user: I’ve just seen your piece on the wooden iphone amp. I want to give the plans to my retired father as something to do but can’t open .skp files. do you have them as a PDF to use? Sorry, my workplace won’t allow a download of the software needed to open .skp.
Great site by the way – going to have a nose around now!
Thanks
Scott
Subject: iphone amp plans
Category: Plan Request
Scott,
I created a couple of new versions (output). At the bottom of this post, you will find a list of links that include a Word Doc version and PDF version, along with three (3) larger scale images. I hope that this helps.
Good luck.
http://www.WoodworkCity.com
I can link to the pdf version but the Sketchup file appears to be missing. Can this link be repaired?
Thanks for a great project.
Ron,
Sorry about that. The Sketchup file is now in the proper location: http://www.woodworkcity.com/planpictures/iphone-amp.skp
Good luck with your project.
WoodworkCity.com
Thanks so much for posting these plans! We just got a CNC machine at our school and we recently learned how to use sketchup files and use them to cut out 3D forms with the router! Thanks again for sharing!
Jared,
You are welcome. A CNC machine opens up MANY more possibilities with this device. This amplification is crude and the output could be greatly improved with some additional milling. You might want to consider a cone shape on your channel as it enters the “speaker” hole. Just a thought. I am sure some audiophiles would be able to chime in with suggestions that would amplify better.
Good luck.
WoodworkCity.com
PS: If you want some help tweaking the Sketchup file, let me know. I would be happy to make some changes if you need.
I’m so new at using the CNC machine I wouldn’t know what changes would be needed. I’ll consider opening up the channel to the speaker holes with a cone shape. Otherwise, I’ll try the plans as is. I literally tried 3D milling for the first time last night. I was pumped I could take a sketchup model to production in under an hour! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R1B4My73YA&list=UUeYfzeaXTeJT_ORF7wKBvEg&index=1
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35518951@N03/8619720900/in/photostream
That is just awesome. The possibilities.
Is this what you had in mind? Tweaked the file a bit. I love the design, and I think that it might be ready for a CNC test tonight. I have some gorgeous 3/4″ baltic birch plywood waiting for a project like this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/35518951@N03/8618643139/in/photostream
Looks perfect!
Just picked this up for use with my Hi school carpentry classes.Looks good!
Please note! The iPhone does NOT have stereo speakers. The left side is a MICROPHONE. Just place your thumb over one side or the other to test this.
Just another observation. The two holes DO make sense even with the mono, one side only speaker as the through hole cross-drilled couples BOTH sides to the ports, this making the stand functional whether the iPhone is placed face-in or face-out! ; )
Joe,
Thanks for the concession.
I have to be frank, I am a woodworker, not an audiophile or an iPhone nut (just a user). When laying this out, I was not even aware that the left side was a mic. At a certain point, we felt that we had a broken iPhone with sound only emitting from 1 speaker. We looked it up and found that the left was just a mic. Of course that was after laying out the plan.
WoodworkCity.com
I haven’t worked out the wavelength numbers yet, but by placing the phone off center you will create a delay/phase shift between left & right which “could” lend a “spatial” effect to the mono sound source. I also think the offset would be visually interesting. You could also play with “tuning” the ports, ie. different size bores, making them “horn shaped” parabolas, extend tubes out the back for even more acoustic – and wood working – fun! LOVE your woodworking!
Thanks Joe. I knew that a real audio guy could jump on this and make something that didn’t just direct the sound to boost, but could also suggest/create a way to improve the quality of the output.