Phone Stand

Your builder will make a simple desk stand that holds a phone at a comfortable angle for watching videos or following a recipe. The angle comes from one 45 degree cut across a 2x4 block — the kind of real, satisfying cut that makes a project feel like true carpentry. Every cut in this plan is made in a miter box, so there's no power saw involved, just a back saw, a clamp, and careful measuring.

The parts are simple: a base, a back, a small lip, and the angled wedge that tilts everything just right. Full-size templates stick right onto the wood, so your builder measures, marks, and cuts with confidence. An adult handles the drilling and starts each screw, then your builder finishes driving them home.

If the first cut comes out a little off, that's fine — a few swipes of sandpaper can fix a tight fit, and trying the phone on the stand before painting is part of the process. By the end of the build, your builder will have a stand they made themselves, ready for the desk or nightstand.

Skills you'll practice

• Measuring and marking from a template or cut list
• Making a full-width 45 degree cut in a miter box
• Clamping work safely before cutting
• Driving screws with a stubby screwdriver
• Sanding and finishing a finished piece