Industrious-Stands

Industrious Stands are made by repurposing components from the electrical, plumbing, and irrigation industries to create modular stands for computer monitors that are far more functional and attractive than many designed solely for that purpose.

Just like shopping at IKEA, specifying and buying modular products is best with an "orientation", and the first step for that is below.

Our initial goal is to get you thinking quickly about single and multiple monitor stand applications -- an important step to becoming a more proficient computer user.

Once you see what options are available for monitor stands, it's easier to see how the various parts can be repurposed to create lamp stands, sign holders, camera stands, lighting trees, and much more.

In addition to introducing you to a newly engineered commercial product line, this system is used for immersive education in mechanical design and light manufacturing. For that reason it's short on "marketing pizzaz" by design. We didn't want to detract from the engineering and manufacturing education we sought to convey simultanousuly.

Monitor Stands: Specify, Customize, and Build in Three Parts

1) Bracket and Mounting Plate Assemblies -- 2) Post Assemblies -- 3) Bases and Base Assemblies

Part 1
Bracket and Mounting Plate Assemblies

Part 2
Post Assemblies

Part 3
Bases and Base Assemblies

("Y" tubular base assembly shown.
One of many options.)

Part 1 - Bracket and Mounting Plate Assemblies

!! All pricing below is BALL PARK PRICING for general orientation only !!

3 Mounting Plate Assemblies to choose from:

1) 3 axis Bracket and Mounting Plate Assembly - $12

2) 4 axis Bracket and Mounting Plate Assembly
$16

3) Double Sidewinder Bracket and Mounting Plate Assembly
$22

Then, you can "Beef Up" 1 and 2 with more brackets for more middle ground if needed:

1a) Two 3 axis Brackets and Mounting Plate Asembly
$15

2a) 4 axis Bracket , Sidewinder, & Mounting Plate Assembly
$22

!! Add photo for multi mounting plate configurations...

NOTES about Mounting Plates and Assemblies:

1) A Mounting Plate Assembly typically consists of a mounting plate, a low profile mounting bolt, a washer or washers, a wing nut and quantity of 4, m4x10 screws for connecting your monitor to the mounting plate (unless otherwise noted). The m4x10 screws are fairly standard for monitors using VESA mounting configurations, but we admit up front, these may not work for everyone and you may have to buy other screws for your mounting needs.
2) Mounting Plates can be mounted via top, middle or bottom holes pre drilled for that OR you can make your own easily with a cordless drill. (This drills out like plastic even though there are thin venears of aluminum on it too).
3) Mounting Plate material is an "Aluminum Composit Material" (ACM). It's plastic in the middle with thin, prepaintd aluminum veneers that can be modified far easier than steel with a drill and tin snips.
4) All mounting plates come with VESA 75x75 mm and 100x100 mm mounting hole patterns as well as three additional mounting holes for connection to our brackets. These VESA patterns are industry standards for small and mid size monitors.
5) ACM and other substrates (like plywood, ABS, Aluminum, etc) can be attached to multiple mounting plates or mounting plate brackets to create a multi-point connection to posts for larger loads.

Part 2 - Post Assemblies

!! All pricing below is BALL PARK PRICING for general orientation only !!

Telescoping Post Assemblies

14" telescoping Post Assembly - $15
16" telescoping Post Assembly - $16
17.5" telescoping Post Assembly - $17

These are made from 1/2" and 3/4" EMT Tubing and EMT connectors customized for the application. Custom lengths availalbe.

Non-Telescoping Posts Assemblies

14" to 17.5" tube with end fitting and cap - $10 to $14

These are made from 1/2" and 3/4" EMT Tubing and EMT connectors customized for the application. Custom lengths availalbe.

NOTE: You can pull apart a Telescoping Assembly and get two of the three most common non-telescoping post assemblies. The one you do not get is the 3/4" diameter tube with the 3/4" end connector but that can be purchased separate from us or your local hardware store.

NOTES about Post Assemblies

1) 14", 16" and 17.5" telescoping assemblies comfortable telescope from 14" to 20", 16" to 24" , and 17.5" to 26" respectively. You may want to buy or create a small plastic busing from Pex ( a plumbing supply product) if you are extending a lot, to keep the upper part looking perfectly inline with the lower.
2) Two 22" monitors will fit on 16" Telescoping Assembly pipe with 3" to spare.NOTE: you would need a 20" to 24" single pipe to mount two 22" monitors.
3) You can also buy non-telescoping posts for lower costs or split your telescoping post in two for two, but you may need an additional fitting or two to put them both to use.
4) PVC , cpvc, copper , steel and other material can be chosen for posts if they fit the application. (We may sell some but not all of those solutions standard, but will consider large special orders)
5) At your local hardware store you should be able to buy a 10 FOOT piece of this pipe for $6 to $11 . A great deal if you need multiple and can cut and deburr it (which we tell you how to do on another page). You can also buy the fittings, although one needs to be modified if you want the ergonomic screw.

Part 3 - Bases and Base Assemblies

You have MANY options for bases and base assemblies

The easiest and lowest cost is a 1/2" or 3/4" NPT mounting flange bolted to something sturdy. ($4)

You can install a longer post and even ground mount it.

Another option is any female NPT fitting that matches your post connector size.

You can adapt standard desk edge brackets found on Amazon.com .

You can also drill out wood chopping blocks or use EMT boxes and legs.

For some applications you may even be able to get away with PVC or some type of crazy plastic plate repurposed for such a task.

Tubular Bases consisting of a 5 way metal elbow, legs made of metal or pvc and metal or pvc feet are extremely customizable and versatile.

Other bases utilising 3, 4, 5, and 6 way cast iron or plastic elbows and the primary union are also an option.

!! All pricing below is BALL PARK pricing for general orientation only !!

Tubular Bases - Range from $10 to $25+

Our most popular free-standing bases are the Tubular bases with varying level of style, color and complexity.

The designs vary from utilitarian and mostly plastic to all metal beauties with custom paint colors!

6" legs can work on low profile monitors if you are only using a 3 axis bracket that keeps the monitor closer to the post.

8" is the minimum recommended leg for monitors 20" to 32".

The images to the right show 5 progressively more complex and costly Y bases

1) 1/2" x 8" Schedule 80 PVC legs with two plastic end caps for shoes, and a steel 5 way elbow - $10

2) 1/2" x 8" Schedule 80 PVC legs with 90 degree elbows for shoes and a steel 5 way elbow (and elevator bolt for leveling) - $15

3) 1/2" x 8" steel tubing with two 90 degree elbows, 2 street 90 elbows, a steel 5 way elbow, and elevator bolt for leveling. (street 90s are used as "rear outriggers") - $20

4) 1/2" x 8" steel tubing with four 90 degree elbows, 2 close nipples, a steel 5 way elbow and elevator bolt for leveling. (regular 90s and close nipples are used as "rear outriggers") - $20

5) 1/2" x 8" steel tubing with two 90 degree elbows, a steel 5 way elbow, and elevator bolt for leveling. (no rear outriggers) - $18

Tubular Bases can also be made from custom painted components with favorite colors and the legs can be made from EMT as well.

!! You have not seen modular tubular bases your entire life because there were "Clocking problems" and "Leveling Foot challenges" that had to be addressed to make this a viable commercial product. The solutions are not "Perfect" but they are very functional . They convert these parts into very attractive and functional bases for many needs. The challenges and remedies are part of the "Engineering and light manufacturing education" that this site represents as well !!

NOTES about Tubular Base and Thread IMPERFECTIONS...

!! NOTICES OF THREAD RELATED IMPERFECTIONS !!

1) The 5 way elbow and Elevator Bolt Conundrum - Our 5 way elbows are drilled and tapped for an m6 Bolt on the bottom for leveling foot purposes, unless ordered explicitly without that. Unfortunately, what should have been simple turned very complex. Standard m5 and m6 taps do not work well with cast iron. They result in oversized threads. We had to increase from m5 to m6 and order custom taps to get this to work without a loose hole and/or a lot of thread tape.

2) The Clocking Problems - the threads on our most aesthic metal tubing are NOT traditional pipe threads ( but we can order those if you want). Our metal nipple threads are noted as "BSPS" or "BSPT" threads instead of the more traditional "NPT" threads and they are short, such that the nipple sets at the thread shoulder before any thred tip would seat. This creates "clocking problems" when orientation on both ends of the pipe are important ( the 5 way elbow pointing up and the 90s pointing down, for example). The 90s seldom seat in the perfect spot. Many hours were spent testing multiple solutions to figure out the most consumer friendly solution for this and that solution is to use "pvc vinyl tape" (aka electrical tape) as a thread tape/spacer. This is the first known application to use pvc tape for thread tape and that creativity is ultimately what brings this product to life in the most consumer friendly manner possible.

The product is a beautiful product. It can work out of the shipping box with minor prepartory work by the consumer but the consumers must be educated and prepared for the assembly for a good experience and good first impression.

Diving Deeper on the Bracket and Monitor Mounting Plate Assemblies ...

!! All pricing below is BALL PARK pricing for general orientation only !!

The Brackets can be mounted n 3/4" EMT or on 1/2" EMT with a bushing. The bushing below is made of 3/4" Pex tubing (a common low cost plumbing product). You can get that in red, white or blue at your local hardware store but many other colors and clear could be used as well.

3 axis Bracket and Monitor Plate $12

It's called a 3-axis bracket because it allows for adjustment three ways. Up/Down, Left/Right and Monitor Spin

For heavy loads you can use two Brackets, one at top and bottom of monitor mounting plate. You can either bolt the bottom one to the plate for a fixed mount (but you lose spin ability) OR you can leave it unbolted, and get the support needed, but maintain spin option. The extra bracket is $3 and hardware to bolt it to the monitor plate is $1.

NOTE: For really big loads you could use two monitor plate assemblies separated by another mounting plate.

4 axis Bracket and Monitor Plate $16

It's called a 4-axis bracket because it allows for adjustment in four ways. Up/Down, Left/Right, Monitor Spin, and Monitor Tilt Up and Down

Notes:

1) You may need to use plyers to turn the knob enough to get it to hold a position.
2) Additional supports are available if this bracket will not hold the tilt (it typically holds well for 22" mointors with slight up or down tilt).

3) You can connect to the mounting plate via the top, center or bottom of the plate. You might want to use top or bottom instead of middle if you want or need to add additional support to hold a position (see next section) or for position on the post at bottom or top extreme.

4) this 4 axis bracket has all components of the 3 axis bracket. You can leave it assembled and use it as a 3 axis bracket or take it apart and use it that way.

If you are using a 4 axis bracket and it just won't hold it's position - as is often a complaint with consumer tilt products - You can add a support bracket as you wish.

This is a heavy duty bracket meant for our heavy duty mount . A lighter bracket or furniture mender with no bend will likey do just fine!

These can be bolted to the mounting plate or left to float, as you wish.

The bracket assembly is about a $7 adder

Double Sidewinder and Monitor Plate $22

The Double Sidewinder offers the greatest strength and flexibility for vertical or tilted mounting , but you'll lose the twist if you bolt the bottom.

Where to next?

This "Industrious Stands" approach to single and multi monitor stands and many other applications could have been designed and published at any point in time in the last 50 years or more. Why weren't they? If you study this further you may learn a lot about a commercial world that most have overlooked , taken for granted, or taken as far simpler than it all really is.

Next Step?

Visualize your stand. Specify the parts. Place orders. Assemble it. Admire your work.

Share what you built and learned with others. Enjoy for Life.

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