Apple only includes its fancy charging case if you buy one of the $10,000+ gold Apple Watch Edition models, so I decided to DIY my own using the box Apple includes with its mid-range, stainless steel Apple Watch collection.
If you bought an Apple Watch model— the entry-level Sport collection comes with cheaper, somewhat disposable packaging— you get a box much like with the Edition minus the charging features and leather shell.
With a few drilled holes and less than $10 worth of materials, I transformed my box into a charging case that looks a lot like the Apple Watch Edition charging case.
Here’s how I did it:
1. First I drilled a few holes side by side directly behind the groove where the Watch sits in the box (this is where we want the magnetic charger to sit). After the initial holes, I slowly increased the drill bit size to bore out the holes and make them wider. I started with a 9/64 bit and moved up to 5/32 before moving to the 3/16 bit to bore out excess material. These are the drill bits I used and this is the screw driver I used.
[youtube=https://youtu.be/mtBxSYOYiUw]
2. Next I chiseled out any excess material between the holes using a flat head screwdriver and hammer, and spent a bit more time with the 3/16 drill bit to make the hole wider on the back side (we need enough room to accommodate the USB side of the charging cable):
3. Now I was able to run the cable through:
4. To finish off the rough edge of the hole I made, I used a thin strip of foam with adhesive backing. I bought strips of foam like these from the hardware store, cut a small 1.5-inch piece, and wrapped it around the cable just underneath the magnetic connector to allow for a snug fit when I positioned the charger.
5. To keep the cable underneath tight to the case and tidy, I used a piece of white duct tape.
6. Next, I added small felt pads to act as feet for the box— like these ones for furniture. That gave me enough height to have the cable run underneath and still have the box sit flush on a table.
7. Lastly, I put a velcro patch— like these ones— on the back of the adapter and the inside of the case. This allows me to store the adapter in the case while traveling without worrying about it moving around and damaging the watch.
And here’s the finished charging case:
Sure, you could just sit the Apple Watch in the box and plug it in, but that’s not the most elegant solution if you want a permanent setup on a nightstand or desk. My charging case also allows me to close the box while charging, and it will make everything a lot easier for traveling— the box itself acts as a cord wrap, so you can just grab it and go.
Remove the time I spent experimenting, writing this article, and shopping for materials, total build time was around half an hour.
Head to the gallery below for more photos and check out our DIY Lego Apple Watch charging stand:
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thats pretty awesome just wish apple could’ve already made this available for the watch. i would feel bad drilling holes into the box in case something messes up then I’m screwed.
Its a plastic box. Im pretty sure if you do “screw it up”, lord knows how, you will be ok. All you are doing is drilling 2 holes and knocking the middle out with a screw driver. I dont know you, but Im pretty sure you can do it. :)
Only downside for me would be the cable remaining on the outside of the box when using it for travel. I wish I could find a female USB to female lightning cable so that the outside of the box would just have a female lightning port that I could plug in an iPhone cable to for charging.
Though I suppose you could drill/carve a notch on the back of the case and just run the cable back inside and close the lid… still not great. Regardless, great job on it, if I can build up the courage I would try something similar.
Thought about doing this myself. Looks like it works!
Lost me at white duct tape.
Apple branded?
PMZ: Then why not use real duct tape?
Maybe a use for those Apple stickers we’ve all been hoarding…
Not very pretty to look at, you really want to have that on your nightstand?
Nice idea, but the right tool to use here would be a dremel, not a drill. And I would describe this as “handy” and “cool,” but definitely not “elegant.” :-)
Once you drill into the felt is it empty between the felt and plastic or is it solid?
I want to do something like this for the Sport box so I can lay the watch inside to charge
I was able to get it to work
That is absolutely gross and hobo.
Then pay $70 for one. Ge’ez, if you can do better than do it. He did a very good job with what he had.
http://www.padandquill.com/apple-watch-accessories/luxury-pocket-stand-for-apple-watch.html
http://youtu.be/qVldossitb0
Should’ve used an Apple sticker instead of the duct tape.
I think that the standard apple watch should come with one of these charging cases.
I would pay for someone’s apple edition box. Or does anyone know a company making something similar to the edition box that I can buy.