Front Driver Seat Table

[mrtifftiff]

I spend a lot of time sitting in the driver seat reading with my laptop resting on the center console for note taking. Things get a bit crowded with a textbook in your lap while you try to crane your neck to look at the screen. I wanted to make a table that sits above the shifter for my laptop to rest on, freeing up space with the added benefit of an improved viewing angle.

The plan: fill two solo type cups with a small amount of cement (material suggestion would be great) with two wood poles anchored in the cement with some type of connection to the table top(just big enough for the computer. I figured the cup holders would be the easiest solution and I imagine it would be quite stable. If that proves unstable I could add a third leg that fits into the coin catch basin.

Any suggestions would be great

 

[Swarty]

Why not just buy a mount?

I spend a lot of time sitting in the driver seat reading with my laptop resting on the center console for note taking. Things get a bit crowded with a textbook in your lap while you try to crane your neck to look at the screen. I wanted to make a table that sits above the shifter for my laptop to rest on, freeing up space with the added benefit of an improved viewing angle.

The plan: fill two solo type cups with a small amount of cement (material suggestion would be great) with two wood poles anchored in the cement with some type of connection to the table top(just big enough for the computer. I figured the cup holders would be the easiest solution and I imagine it would be quite stable. If that proves unstable I could add a third leg that fits into the coin catch basin.

Any suggestions would be great

I'd just buy a laptop mount. a board attached to 3 legs with concrete filled cups is going to be heavy and big. Not to mention a real hazard if you ever get in an accident. Where would you store this?

Also they make desks that attach to the front seat when you sit in the back. They are less than $20.
laptop desk

 

[Hellamatic]

Probably easier to sit in the back seat while you're doing whatever it is you're doing? Or maybe pack a lawnchair and small folding table.

Sounds like a Ram mount for your laptop is what you may be looking for.

 

[Titanpat57]

get yourself a nice ARB awing on the side, deploy it, set out TWO chairs and a table...make new friends...

 

[Fernandina4runner]

I have the RAM laptop mount in my truck. I love it, but my wife and any passenger hates it. It stays out of the way and holds the laptop very securely. It takes up a lot of room in the passenger seat. The good thing about it is when you need space you can pull the desk part out and leave a post sticking up next to the console.

 

[Fernandina4runner]

 

[1engineer]

Sorry dude. Once the cement hardens the solo cups will slip right off leaving plain cement which will scratch everything.

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

+1 for the ram mount. They make some quality stuff.

 

[mrtifftiff]

That RAM mount is way more than I need. I will never be driving while using my laptop so I don't have any need to secure the laptop. My dog is always with me and he gets in and out from the driver side and climbs over the center console so something that can be taken down quickly is paramount. And at close to $300, the RAM mount just isn't what I'm looking for.

I'm going to ditch the cement and go with something lighter; maybe some sort of foam board and shape it to the cup holders. PVC pipes for the legs and everything will break down. Cup holder inserts, legs, and table will be able to separate from each other for easy storage.

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

Option 1: attach a circular steel plate to the underside of each cup holder. Then get a couple of those super strong wall hanger magnets from harbor freight to use as the legs of the table. Problem with this is the magnets might be so strong that they pull the clips off the center console and detach it.

Option 2: create a mold of the cup holders and fill with casting resin with your mounting rods inserted though them. If it's a nice snug fit, it shouldn't move much with only 2 mounting points.

Option 3: a combination of 1 and 2