zip tie and build it yourself

[downsizingnow48]

I wasn't sure where to post this, under the zip tie thread or in the build it yourself section.

I looked for cell phone mounts for my pickup, but they all seem to have disadvantages. I couldnt find one I wanted to buy, especially not for $30-$40 dollars. So I made one. I've used this cell phone mount for about a month on all kinds of roads, with no issues. Nothing to fall off, no threads to strip, fits the phone perfectly, easy to mount and remove the phone, it doesn't sag or rattle, and it is located perfectly in my field of vision but unobtrusive. It is not real pretty but now that I know it works, I am planning to upgrade to black zip ties and maybe a silver sponge.

 

[k0ua]

Pat what is the sponge zip tied to? Since we don't have that type of truck, I don't understand how it is fastened. You need a "before" picture. cut those white zip ties and get some black ones, and while the sponge is off, show how it fastens to the truck. Also cut your zip tie ends and rotate the fastening joint back out of sight behind the sponge.. you could just paint the sponge silver or black. It will dry in a couple of days, and still work... I know there is always a critic.. These are just suggestions to make it look prettier..I am sure it works just fine as is. Thanks for posting.:thumbsup:

 

[downsizingnow48]

Thank you, good points. Here is a picture of the A/C vent it is attached to. I should have put in some more information. Using the phone as a GPS, it needs to be pretty much in line of sight. That is why this location is good. I tried a suction cup mount, never worked on the dash and didnt work on the window after two weeks. Tried a cupholder mount, was too far down to easily glance at while driving. And wobbly. Didnt want to buy a third mount. Will make this one more presentable and show v2.0 in a few days.

 

[k0ua]

Thank you, good points. Here is a picture of the A/C vent it is attached to. I should have put in some more information. Using the phone as a GPS, it needs to be pretty much in line of sight. That is why this location is good. I tried a suction cup mount, never worked on the dash and didnt work on the window after two weeks. Tried a cupholder mount, was too far down to easily glance at while driving. And wobbly. Didnt want to buy a third mount. Will make this one more presentable and show v2.0 in a few days.

View attachment 348437

Aha, it is like it was made for it! :thumbsup: Cool.

 

[PILOON]

I needed a cell phone mount for a phone that no mount was available at the time. (old Motorola 'Brick')

Using good double back tape I taped male Velcro on the truck dash and female Velcro on back of the cell phone.
Even on worst roads plowing snow the 'brick' stayed in place.

 

[stuckmotor]

I have my TV and DVD remotes zip tied to a thin board so they're always together. My problem has been that the one for the DVD often seems to be either too tight or too loose to work properly. The sponge trick may solve my problem. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Ken45101]

Good idea, thanks for sharing!

 

[94BULLITT]

I wasn't sure where to post this, under the zip tie thread or in the build it yourself section.

I looked for cell phone mounts for my pickup, but they all seem to have disadvantages. I couldnt find one I wanted to buy, especially not for $30-$40 dollars. So I made one. I've used this cell phone mount for about a month on all kinds of roads, with no issues. Nothing to fall off, no threads to strip, fits the phone perfectly, easy to mount and remove the phone, it doesn't sag or rattle, and it is located perfectly in my field of vision but unobtrusive. It is not real pretty but now that I know it works, I am planning to upgrade to black zip ties and maybe a silver sponge.

View attachment 348421

View attachment 348422

You did the right thing by posting it here. You would have got flamed in the zip tie thread for not cutting them off flush

 

[downsizingnow48]

I'm a black tie man myself, but didnt have any handy at the time. Didnt clip because I kept fiddling with the tension. I will get back on the straight and narrow for v2.0!

 

[k0ua]

I'm a black tie man myself, but didnt have any handy at the time. Didnt clip because I kept fiddling with the tension. I will get back on the straight and narrow for v2.0!

We want pictures

 

[troutsqueezer]

Used to drag race along Manzanita when I was a kid. Worked at the Safeway that used to be there, too.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Update - still looking for a backing material that will outperform the kitchen sponge and look a bit more polished.

Squeezer: the Safeway is still there. Opens at 5am Sunday morning so if you don't have coffee in the house it is real handy. The racers are still there too except now they drive Hondas and sound like bumblebees.

 

[Bartcephus]

If you have a Hobby Lobby or other craft store nearby, I have used the sheets of craft foam for all kinds of sponge replacements. They come in 8x10 inch sheets, easy to cut and you can stack them for more thickness. Great for lining tool boxes where you store gauges or instruments that need just a touch of TLC. I even lined a compartment in my glove box where I put my sunglasses. The stuff has great padding characteristics.

Best Regards,

Bartcephus

 

[jejeosborne]

Hummm. I am still undecided whether to be embarrassed or proud you as a fellow Ford owner. LOL

Here is what I just purchased to do the same thing for under $25. I know they make vent mount types too. That is my most valued vent and would hate to loose it's capacity.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093Q6AI8/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_7ieTsb1XZWA36

 

[downsizingnow48]

Looks promising even though doesn't appear to require either zip tie or sponge.

 

[downsizingnow48]

If you have a Hobby Lobby or other craft store nearby, I have used the sheets of craft foam for all kinds of sponge replacements. They come in 8x10 inch sheets, easy to cut and you can stack them for more thickness. Great for lining tool boxes where you store gauges or instruments that need just a touch of TLC. I even lined a compartment in my glove box where I put my sunglasses. The stuff has great padding characteristics.

Best Regards,

Bartcephus

Will check this stuff out this weekend!

 

[downsizingnow48]

Well to bring this thread to a somewhat embarrassing close. Over the holidays our daughters visited. They drove the pickup while here. Over dinner one night they said, you know, you bought this nice pickup, so you probably ought to spring for an adult phone holder, and get rid of the sponge. My wife, who usually doesn't get involved in my minor adventures, asked what that was about. Upon explanation, she said, hmm, that is interesting. In our marriage "interesting" is a code word for "strange", "wrong", or "what were you thinking" depending on context. So I basically got a complete vote of no confidence. After the holiday dust settled I replaced with sponge with the item below which was suggested by another commenter and seems to work quite well.

 

[jejeosborne]

Just return home last night from a ski trip and 2800 miles using mine. Great to use even when not using the GPS maps to see when alerts come in. Plus my bluetooth music is displayed as well. You are now placed out of the embarrassing fellow Ford owner group. Mine was used in zero degree mornings with no issues but I still make sure I apply gradual pressure to the clip to prevent as much stress as possible. My phone is a galaxy note 3 which is a large phone requiring a wide grip. Good luck.