Charge Your Phone Invisibly

[@RonDavidowicz]

I don't think the heat generated is an issue for the wood, but it may shorten the life of the charger. I would dill a few vent holes in the plywood below the charger to vent it a bit.

[@gtrob1]

Ron D. It will certainly lessen the life of the charger. Cool idea though.

[@Compendyum]

Wouldn't be more easy to just buy one with a sticking surface and stick it under the table?

[@Kirstenlmsw135]

This. I think I would just cut a hole a little smaller than the charger in the plywood. If you're close enough to the table to see the hole, you would see the cord plugged into the back of it, so it wouldn't defeat the "secretness" of the charger.

[@hippopotamus86]

No, they don't work more than about a CM away from the phone.

[@Kirstenlmsw135]

J Anything - no, I mean, do it exactly the same except use a hole saw and make a hole in the plywood under the charger so the air can get to it and cool it. That's all.

[@JackmanWorks]

Front page of Reddit! Woo Woo!! Way to go man

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks mate, it’s exciting!

[@RiaanOliver]

Man that’s going to give you some views. Still a good platform you getting hits.

[@modustrial]

Nice job! Looks like it has gone viral, and deservedly so :) Well done!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks very much

[@dustinwright1898]

For anyone else trying this project, try to find a niece of wood with a natural knot in it and place the charger there, it'll act as a place holder and still look natural

[@MegaNinjanate]

You might have issues with trying to route out the knot

[@drippa8834]

You keep a nice clean shop with all those vacuums! Nice build!

[@northshorepx]

Great build. The heat is a bit worrying and perhaps more vent holes or some kind or heat piping/sinking might be an idea. Thank you for sharing this. ESP since you showed us your own track saw jig and no table saw. Great stuff.

[@bg73]

Nice build. I quite like that light rig on your drill press too

[@warrenjames1962]

Nice to have you back for 2018 Sir Robin of Ale! Hope Xmas and the New year were good for you and yours and ya had a few frothies to celebrate! Look forward to your projects for the year mate!

[@MarzNet256]

Nicely done! I especially like the short cable trick. I am a professional cabinetmaker and just got an apple watch. I am going to use a Forstner bit to drill under the top of my bedside unit for the changing puck and a 1/8" router bit for the cable. I think you can use the grain pattern on your top to consistently position phone placement.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks very much. That's a good idea for placement

[@ADHDbuilt]

You nailed it on r/diy! Nicely done. Cool project too.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Cool project, Robin! I like how minimalist it is. I was wondering if you would have trouble finding where it connected. Ha ha

[@AllenPapapetrou]

Nice video!! Found this via reddit. Nice commentary as well. Thanks

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Allen

[@Craig1001001]

No, thank you Robin. Thank you to hell!

[@Memq]

i have watched it all the way through and then closed the video and forgot i didnt leave a like and came back to leave a comment about it. great build!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thank you, really appreciate that

[@ScottTurnerformeindustrious]

I need about 20 of these :)

[@shushumna]

two vids in and loving your channel. Great idea on this bedside, didn't realise charging stations are a thing haha. Cheers mate!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks very much!

[@dombayan]

Hi Robin, nice work! If you woul've taken apart the charger and threw away the plastic, you could've won a couple of millimeters so it sticks closer to the top surface. Thanks mate!

[@TheTmwagner77]

Some EL wire and a cool design on the top that has a point you know is over the charger and boom...a hidden but marked space and its visible at night.

[@thehandynomadthehandynomad843]

I’ve made a computer desk with a hidden wireless charger and a nightstand with hidden wireless charger. I’m shocked that your charger was able to work with that much material between the charger and the table top surface. That is a very good charger I must say. And yeah I like making artwork on my surface to identify where the charger is located, looks pretty cool. Anyways great job bro

[@WesHamstra]

Thats so cool. I am amazed at what you can do without owning a table saw! I always thought a circular saw was a tool for rough carpentry.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Wes

[@CasualDIY]

Awsome Project. I'm still trying to figure out the design for my bedside tables and this wireless charging is a very cool feature :) great job!

[@ZoomZoom0]

I really enjoy the concept of your build. Would you think a charging pad would be a good substitute for the charger you have used for this video. I could see turning the entire surface into a charging surface that way.

[@TheWoodKnight]

Nice work Robin. The location issue is somewhat of an issue of the "puck" style qi chargers. They only have a single coil so end up being really sensitive *before* the wood is added. If you can find the longer/rounded rectangle style with two coils, they're much easier to hit the sweet charging point

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Aaaaaah! That'll make locating it at night, in the dark, a lot easier!

[@jonel4382]

If you worried about any heat you could always drill holes in the bottom side of where the chargers position is.

[@mihumus]

Very cool man, nice build!

[@JaydenWoo8888]

www.amazon.com/MEIKEE-Lighting-Brightness-Function-Wireless/dp/B07DLWQ53Y/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1531101619&sr=8-9&keywords=led+desk+lamp+wireless+charging

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Lol, that drill press lighting setup looks pretty funky. I wish I could be bothered doing that too :D

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Its an improvement, but I wouldn't say a game changer

[@BarnsleyMan]

You can remove the internal electronics and embed them into the table top which reduces the amount of material between the charging area and the phone. I had to do this to enable wireless charging with my phone in a flip case and it works.

[@riffedwood5597]

That's really cool! *Tapes wireless charger underneath shelf*

[@yorktown3740]

r/meirl

[@Lunarsight]

Cool idea! Beyond the heat issue (which you already brought up), just one other thing. If other objects are placed on top of the table above the charging part, could they potentially adversely interact with it?

[@NarasimmanR]

4:37 Extend the hole to the end to let the hot air come out and keep the device cool. keep it lesser width than the charger to prevent charger sliding out.

[@thesuperhero]

That's so clever! Love the way it turned out

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Sarah!

[@The_Bus_Adventure]

Finally a „docking station“ i like!

[@richardash5743]

We always enjoy your videos. Nice build.

[@truncellitoj]

You could also mount a USB powered case fan under the charger to exhaust the heat.

[@macguyo]

Good video , do you have the video for that item you using with the Circular Saw

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thank you! Not yet, but I'll add it to my list of things to talk about for the next video

[@RobinLewisMakes]

First for the first video of 2018!

[@jaredhansen8335]

Good video and love the craft and thought behind your projects. I watched the concrete table video/surround and you got some great ideas. Thanks brother and keep up the good work!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks very much man, really appreciate all the comments on the other videos too!

[@ch5412]

Was just thinking about doing something similar the other day! Wouldn't be surprised if they start building wireless chargers into some stands.

[@swjedi101]

it could be a cool idea to inlay some kind of plus sign (+) in an aesthetic way that locates the center of the charger... i could see that working out when placing your phone.

[@BrysonWooden]

Totally doing this for my computer desk project 👍🏻 awesome job!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks very much

[@TheTipsyRooster]

Updated link for the charger by chance? Thanks for the great DIY!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks for letting me know. They don't sell the same one on eBay anymore, but it was around $5. If I find another seller I'll update the description

[@ericbarnes8]

I've been waiting for someone to build this. Good job man. P.s. that QI charger you used like the cheap ones. They destroyed my iPad charger

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks very much. Heard this a few times now, think I might upgrade it sooner rather than later!

[@overlordgamingLTD]

Robin Lewis I highly recommend choetech (I think thats the brand) I have had my charger from them for 4 years now and it is still going strong. Also doesnt heat up much at all while charging.

[@opasworkshop8373]

Awesome project Robin!

[@andrew5792]

Robin, each to their own mate but can I suggest that you try using the other end of the mallet :)

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Hahaha! I've been mislead all these years!

[@Wordsnwood]

nice clean bare bones design. I like that the charger is replaceable.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Art. I know it's not everyone's favourite, I'm a big fan of plywood

[@Wordsnwood]

Looks like you got yourself a mini-viral hit here! Reddit effect, maybe?

[@JaydenWoo8888]

www.amazon.com/MEIKEE-Lighting-Brightness-Function-Wireless/dp/B07DLWQ53Y/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1531101619&sr=8-9&keywords=led+desk+lamp+wireless+charging

[@RiaanOliver]

Awesome as always buddy. Like you I really like dowels.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks man!

[@apacheone3643]

I would change the postion of the plug in the back as it could break if the table gets pushed up against the wall.As far as heat you can drill some small holes in the plywood were the charger is to allow for airflow. Outside of that and finishing the plywood off good project.

[@AwesomeWoodThings]

Dude... that’s awesome. I’m going to make one for myself! Great build Robin.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Matt

[@TwoPaulsOutdoors]

Like the video. Also. Maybe could have rebated some grooves under the charger in the top piece of the cabinet. This may extend the life of the electrical product by reducing the stored heat inside the timber. Overall great project which has lead to me having some further ideas to improve and make my own version. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@donnabrocka7090]

Nice concept. Thanks for the ideas!

[@hajekjonas]

Nice job! Have you figured out how thin, or in my case how thick can the layer of wood between the phone and the charger be? I can’t find it anywhere. My desk is quite thin already, so I’m wondering if it would charge through the desk without making any holes to it.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nicely done Robin! 👍👊

[@ScorchedCosplays]

Love the idea! Just out of curiosity, would there be issues if you used a usb splicer and added another wireless charger to the other side of the table?

[@mattg8888]

Nice idea. I really like that. I guess the problem with wireless charging is not how you did it but much rather how little the technology has matured. One idea could be to mill a spot out just above the charger that has a similar shape to your phone. That way it would just slide into place and charge. That would destroy the clean look though.... Still love watching your videos. Keep it up.

[@0dyss3us51]

It is all fun and games until you need to change the wireless charger! Great build!

[@NelsonTreehouseSupply]

Saw it on reddit! Nice work Robin.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks mate

[@timduncan6750]

Interesting DIY project. One thing I would have done different is center the charger on the slightly darker board then you would at least have one axis where you knew right where it was.

[@muhammadafham856]

if you worry about the heat of charger i suggest you use thermal paste. But i didnt sure the paste could harm charger.

[@mrdje]

To make the charger easier to find, there is "triple coil" qi charger, the charging surface is way bigger than the charger you used, so whenever where you put your phone, it will charge.

[@DavidAlsh]

Electronically, can you place more than one wireless adapter inside the top to increase coverage?

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Good question

[@SouthernGinger]

Great idea Robin!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks man

[@DylanSwain]

That is so cool Robin!! I feel like I need this in my life 😮

[@twigwoodzim]

really cool idea Rob, Could easily be integrated into an existing piece of furniture too, now I just need a phone that supports wireless charging.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Rob! Just a matter of time before it's everywhere

[@twigwoodzim]

Robin Lewis indeed, should probably have thought about it more when I upgraded last month.

[@hippopotamus86]

I like the table top, but in my opinion, the plywood makes it all look a bit cheap and unfinished. I probably would have had the mounted micro USB port mounted flush to the rear, or maybe even a bit further in if going against a wall. Overall, not bad. I wonder how well it would work if you have several wireless chargers allowing you to place the phone down roughly anywhere and it would charge...

[@boblyon4632]

Good job on the construction, very solid; I do take issue with the execution though. One, I would orientated the plywood on the sides to have the grain running in a vertical pattern, Two, I would have added a trim piece covering the edge of the plywood. Doing both of these would enable your table to look a tiny bit less like a plywood box that was thrown together. Watching your construction, I can see that it wasn't "thrown together", but looking at the finished product, it still has that "thrown together" look; and a last suggestion- as an end table/nightstand, it would also have a more finished look if you attached a back to the table. The back could have been inset into dados along the back edges, so hiding the plywood edge from the side would not have been an issue.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Haha, you touched on a few "discussions" I had with my wife about it. I like exposed plywood, and never liked back panels, but I completely get where you're coming from

[@truthvirus]

I was just curious if the charger was installed upside down. You had the red ring facing up, but the top was upside down at the time. And if that adds to the heating. Vents could be added underneath. Either way.

[@truthvirus]

might be more efficient too.

[@davidbrenneman4038]

With that much material to work with, take out more material to bring it closer to the top. Then integrate a liquid cooling system like pc's can use on IC's. Even if you came in from the back with another piece of 3/4" that was 3 to 4 inches wide to contain it, it wouldn't be seen from the front.

[@DIYReid]

I'm amazed that wireless charging is strong enough to go through wood.

[@Lewis_toole]

Hello great video, can you tell me how many millimetres was there between the wood and the charger? Also what charger do you recommend for this 👍🏻

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thank you! The charger I used is no longer sold on ebay but it was one of the cheapest I could find. I can't remember the exact distance between the charger and phone, but I think it was around 5mm

[@jonathan9607]

I got a dream about this and you already made a video 😂😂 thanks

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Haha, awesome

[@AhmadSohailWahab]

Is it possible to make the while bedside table the whole surface a wireless charger

[@olayiwolaolusanya3887]

Does anyone know where I could get the cable from ?? or something similar ?

[@jakecarter2414]

That's awesome man

[@Photoshock]

Skills & brains!

[@RandomUserName92840]

Drill some vent holes into the plywood, underneath the charger. The heat may not cause fire, but it can fry the electronics.

[@disneychanyeor82]

this doesnt show how to make the charger and thats our project but lets say i want to make the charging region bigger, so a bigger pancake coil? would that be okay? no effects on the device?

[@RaytheonNublinski]

Totally DIY project right here. All you need is a sheet of plywood and a woodworking shop. Simple.

[@dnkeyhnter690]

Bullet Tooth Tony lol

[@skin7777]

Wow...very nice man...cool

[@damiangoff8952]

This is the first diy video I've watched the actually done it my self i have a white glass top so i just put a white sticker to indicate where it is

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Haha, awesome!

[@icbvisuals6200]

im glad im not the only one that thought of this but when i do it will have 5 vharges 1 each corner and one in middle that way i wont have to focus on where i put it for convience

[@alfiesouthcott9363]

I have a desk and wanted a wireless charger in it, is there a way of building it in to the desk I already have without breaking it, it is a wooden desk

[@gazgough9264]

really cool idea and looks good too! hope you had a good start to 2018

[@Borsch_TV]

Cool idea, Robin!! My phone is too old for this function ((

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Haha. Don't worry, soon everyone's phone will use wireless charging

[@nope-ok6dx]

this is awesome but is there any way you can put one in an already existing table

[@patthebiff]

I hate to muck up a great build with a potentially stupid comment, but did you give any thought to doing a parquet or tile design on the top? That's a way you could potentially, but still low-key, show where to place your phone, by maybe using a slightly darker stain or a different grain pattern? Great build, though, where can I place my order? :)

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks, that's a great idea!

[@edgamcastro]

The fact that it’s hard to locate the phone in the right position for it to charge is due to the cheap charger, a better quality charger will solve this problem

[@robshamel3210]

Vent holes on the underside? Maybe?

[@samriijack]

You could also try to make a heat sink so that it doesn't get hot.

[@daslowlife]

there are wireless chargers out there, like the samsung fast chargers, that habe fans that help dissipate heat caused

[@playonwords55]

Need holes under the charger for ventilation

[@hippopotamus86]

Get a half decent charger that doesn't get hot.

[@playonwords55]

J Anything Most chargers emit heat. No harm in putting a few holes in. They're hidden.

[@edededededededededede]

Or get a cheap one and be ready to change it out every year. Cost the same in 5 or even 10 years time, but possibly will be a bit better every now and then.

[@playonwords55]

Ede or just drill a few holes for ventilation. Takes less than a minute.

[@MannYSJ1080p]

has this mod affected the charging performance at all?

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thats a really cool idea

[@LeftyMaker]

Cool project! I would have suggested gutting the charger. Then you could attach the coil closer to the surface of the table. Or you could have just bought the electronics only from China.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Interesting idea, hadn't though of that. That would be seriously integrating it into the table, I like it!

[@LeftyMaker]

Better yet, you'll shave a millimeter of distance between the coil and the phone, which will likely result in more reliable and efficient charging. Cheers!

[@r0llingw00ds7]

Any update on the heat?

[@RobinLewisMakes]

So far so good, 2 weeks and still no problems. I use it every second night and it hasn't changed the finish on the top, and the charger is operating as per usual

[@TensaZ]

You may want to go with USB C for more future proof (future chargers won't use micro USB). Should be easy to change that cable I suppose.

[@nuketownforgenz]

Hey That Was Fantastic Asper my idea I would place 4 to 5 chargers underneath that plywood so that every bit of table surface would be chargeable u can even keep more than 1 phones that way anyways great work if this would be like brand made idea than this table would probably cost​ more than 500$ its great u thought of it

[@philliplopez9583]

Would this work with the Samsung chargers? Or would I have to make vents in the wood?

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Theoretically yes, but all depends on what charger you use (how close the phone needs to be to it)

[@AhmadSohailWahab]

This needs to be mass produced in order for others to buy

[@troyholder8324]

What case do you have on your iPhone?

[@RobinLewisMakes]

It's the Spigen Thin Fit www.spigen.com/products/iphone-8-case-thin-fit?variant=37163080321

[@CodyIsles05]

This is awesome!

[@james10739]

I would have gotten a lot bigger charger and or several of them and ones that can do the fast charging ones that are 10w