I finally got sick of how much desk space was being taken up by my monitor stands. So walking through Home Depot this week, i decided to make a mount for all of them. This was after looking online and seeing that they cost around $300... So here's how I did it:
Parts:
1/2" x 12 pipe x 2 @ 3.31 = 6.62
1/2" x 10 pipe x 3 @ 2.90 = 8.70
1/2" 45 degree elbow x 2 @ 1.53 = 3.06
1/2" tee x 1 @ 1.26 = 1.26
1/2" flange x 1 @ 6.60 = 6.60
1/2" straps x 1 pk @ 1.31 = 1.31
M4 x 200 machine screws x 4 (3/pk) @ 0.79 = 3.16
10-28 x 3/4" machine screws x 1 (8/pk) @ 0.98 = 0.98
10-28 x 1" machine screws x 1 (8/pk) @ 0.98 = 0.98
1/4" - 20 x 1-1/2" machine screws x 1 (4/pk) @ 0.98 = 0.98
2' x 4' sheet of MDF x 1 @ 3.96 = 3.96
for a grand total of: $37.61!
And the process:
First, I fit together all the pieces of piping. You might think that the weight of the monitors would unscrew the joints, but when the whole assembly is this big, you can really get some torque going and get it realllllly tight. The most important part was to get the four pieces across the top level.
Next, I cut the backpieces for the 3 monitors, and a mounting plate for the whole assembly
And here's the three backplates and the mounting plate.
Ignore the extra holes. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to measure out an exact square. Then I realized I had a wallmount assembly for my TV, so I used it as a jig for the holes.
Using the M4 screws (VESA standard is 4mm diameter, 0.7 thread pitch), I attached the plate to the back of the 19"...
And the 22"
Then, using a T-square, I measured the distance from the top of the monitor to where I wanted the center of the piping to run.
Then, I started drilling and fitting the straps to where they go. The bolt heads are behind the plate, and then I tightened the nuts down. I also set up a mockup of how I attatched it to my desk. You can see that I bolted the flange through that board, but I also used that fourth, smaller piece of MDF basically as a big washer underneath the whole thing. Then, I clamped the whole thing down to my table. It's not going anywhere.
And it works!
I had to be careful not to tighten down the screws into the monitor too hard, because of the screw heads coming out the back for the straps. All Home Depot had was round head. If I had used flat-head or even pan-head, I could have counter-sunk the holes, so the head would fit flush, like I was able to do with the screws for the VESA mounts on the back of the monitors.
And the second monitor goes on
And the third
I can't believe it actually worked. Now comes the fun part. Installing the thing. Here's how my desk looked to begin with. And that's an old flight manual and folded up pieces of paper under the main monitor to even it up with the side ones.
And with it all cleared off
First, I had to drill holes in the desk (measuring carefully, of course).
That's my father in law holding it up while i do my best to reach around the back and tighten up those nuts. While the dog helps, of course.
And it holds. I know, it looks a little crooked in this pic, but it's mostly just the way the individual monitors meet each other at the bend. I can still tweak it a little bit to get those monitors perfectly straight.
And here's the setup with everything in its place and wires managed. Except for that one monitor cable on the left. It wasnt quite long enough to get routed with the others, but never fear. Newegg shipped me my new one today.
And a closeup of the stand
So that's it. A triple-screen mount for under $40. Hope this maybe helps out someone, because I asked around here, and couldn't find any guides for homemade mounts like this. So had to come up with one from scratch, and I think it turned out pretty nicely. Let me know what you think!
Parts:
1/2" x 12 pipe x 2 @ 3.31 = 6.62
1/2" x 10 pipe x 3 @ 2.90 = 8.70
1/2" 45 degree elbow x 2 @ 1.53 = 3.06
1/2" tee x 1 @ 1.26 = 1.26
1/2" flange x 1 @ 6.60 = 6.60
1/2" straps x 1 pk @ 1.31 = 1.31
M4 x 200 machine screws x 4 (3/pk) @ 0.79 = 3.16
10-28 x 3/4" machine screws x 1 (8/pk) @ 0.98 = 0.98
10-28 x 1" machine screws x 1 (8/pk) @ 0.98 = 0.98
1/4" - 20 x 1-1/2" machine screws x 1 (4/pk) @ 0.98 = 0.98
2' x 4' sheet of MDF x 1 @ 3.96 = 3.96
for a grand total of: $37.61!
And the process:
First, I fit together all the pieces of piping. You might think that the weight of the monitors would unscrew the joints, but when the whole assembly is this big, you can really get some torque going and get it realllllly tight. The most important part was to get the four pieces across the top level.
Next, I cut the backpieces for the 3 monitors, and a mounting plate for the whole assembly
And here's the three backplates and the mounting plate.
Ignore the extra holes. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to measure out an exact square. Then I realized I had a wallmount assembly for my TV, so I used it as a jig for the holes.
Using the M4 screws (VESA standard is 4mm diameter, 0.7 thread pitch), I attached the plate to the back of the 19"...
And the 22"
Then, using a T-square, I measured the distance from the top of the monitor to where I wanted the center of the piping to run.
Then, I started drilling and fitting the straps to where they go. The bolt heads are behind the plate, and then I tightened the nuts down. I also set up a mockup of how I attatched it to my desk. You can see that I bolted the flange through that board, but I also used that fourth, smaller piece of MDF basically as a big washer underneath the whole thing. Then, I clamped the whole thing down to my table. It's not going anywhere.
And it works!
I had to be careful not to tighten down the screws into the monitor too hard, because of the screw heads coming out the back for the straps. All Home Depot had was round head. If I had used flat-head or even pan-head, I could have counter-sunk the holes, so the head would fit flush, like I was able to do with the screws for the VESA mounts on the back of the monitors.
And the second monitor goes on
And the third
I can't believe it actually worked. Now comes the fun part. Installing the thing. Here's how my desk looked to begin with. And that's an old flight manual and folded up pieces of paper under the main monitor to even it up with the side ones.
And with it all cleared off
First, I had to drill holes in the desk (measuring carefully, of course).
That's my father in law holding it up while i do my best to reach around the back and tighten up those nuts. While the dog helps, of course.
And it holds. I know, it looks a little crooked in this pic, but it's mostly just the way the individual monitors meet each other at the bend. I can still tweak it a little bit to get those monitors perfectly straight.
And here's the setup with everything in its place and wires managed. Except for that one monitor cable on the left. It wasnt quite long enough to get routed with the others, but never fear. Newegg shipped me my new one today.
And a closeup of the stand
So that's it. A triple-screen mount for under $40. Hope this maybe helps out someone, because I asked around here, and couldn't find any guides for homemade mounts like this. So had to come up with one from scratch, and I think it turned out pretty nicely. Let me know what you think!