We recently got our hands on the new iPad Mini. I’ve been enjoying the small size, especially when bringing it along to a café. I was looking for an interesting hard case for it, but didn’t really find anything that I liked. So, I made one instead.

Cutting Wood

I used the same Birch plywood that we use on our standard size iPad stands. I love the look, and it’s very stable to work with.

Some PSA backed cork would serve nicely as an interior protective layer. The black iPad Mini is anodized all around the sides and back, making it susceptible to scratches. I was already using our iPad mini Bark Back, but you can’t be too cautious when it comes to anodized aluminum.

The front and back of the case are made from 1/8″ Birch ply. This kept things thin, without compromising structure.

Wood glue is what keeps this country together.

This is usually the point where I wonder if I cut everything out to the right size or not.

Spring clamps apply the necessary discipline to the rebellious wood glue.

Sand and Spray

Once dry, I belt sanded the sides. Since the construction is all ply, this has a nice effect of making the case look like it came from a single piece of plywood.

The corners were rounded of on the disc sander.

I softened the edges with a sanding block, and then fine grit sanding sponge.

First layer of clear coat going on, like a Summer morning dew dusting the cornfields of Nebraska.

After a light sanding, another dew layer is sprayed on. Except this time it’s like a muggy blanket strangling the Appalatian mountains in August.

Strap

I wanted to be able to throw the case and iPad into the car trunk as hard as possible. This required a retention strap, so out came the sewing machine.

I snuck into the neighbor’s house and removed a tidy strip of their couch for the strap, and a plastic clip from an old keychain. To make the strap a bit more “military” looking, I sewed five lines down the middle.

The strap fits nicely through the finger hole and around the base. I like how it can be removed completely for a very clean look, if I feel like not using it.

I made the case a bit taller than the iPad, so my stylus can buckle in too, making this the perfect solution for café sketching.

It works just like a real toaster!

Just as a courtesy note, this was a personal project, and we do not intend to sell these cases in the Tinkering Monkey store. But, feel free to make your own just like this one, or improve upon it! We’d love to see photos if you do.