Hack18.PSP Hands Free

Hack 18. PSP Hands Free

Build a low-cost, hands-free holder for your PSP in a short amount of time.

Movies, movies, movies. You love movies, and so do I. Watching movies on the PSP is a great feature. The only problem is that you have to hold the PSP for the length of the movie, due to the size of the screen. Sure, you could buy a low-cost DVD player for around $150 USD with an LCD, but that's not the point. You would need to carry around a second device, when you have a fantastic and very portable screen with the PSP.

One day, while researching how to repair a gas line at the house, I found myself in the piping area of a large home improvement store. There were numerous types of pipes: copper, steel, black, white, drain, gas line, and water pipesyou name it, it was there. I got to thinking: you could create a lot of things from simple PVC pipe. You could buy straight pieces, cut them, and connect them using elbows. One thing led to another, and I had an epiphany at the store. I suddenly grabbed a handful of half-inch PVC pipe off the shelves (both angle pieces and straight pieces) and mixed and matched until I had assembled what I thought would be enough pieces for this project.

2.8.1. Things You'll Need

• PSP Stand (http://www.joytech.net/)

• One 4-foot length of white PVC pipe

• Two S-shaped PVC pipes

• Six PVC pipe elbows

• Cleaning compound

• Black enamel spray paint

• PVC pipe cutter or hack saw

• Blowtorch

• Gorilla PVC glue

2.8.2. The Theory Behind the Hack

The PSP is a great entertainment center. For movie viewing, that means having to hold the unit continuously. One option is to use the simple dock solutions that are available, but then you would not be able to watch your movie while you did other things around the house, or while lying in bed. And, of course, there wouldn't be this hack. The dock also requires you to be very close, bent over in an uncomfortable position while trying to watch the movie.

2.8.3. Setting Things Up

PVC pipes are very easy to handle and manipulate to your needs. The first step is to make some simple measurements for the length of pipes you will cut for the down length and the out length. The width of the unit is also critical, as it will need to fit over your head and rest comfortably on your neck. The measurements I used were:

• Two curved pieces of 12 inches in length (accounting for the curve; the piece before the curve was 14.5 inches in length). These will be used to fit over your shoulders.

• Four straight pieces, each 8 inches in length. These form the main part of the frame that connects the curved pieces at an angle, allowing for your PSP to be mounted.

From these pieces I assembled a rectangle, using the elbow joints (you need six) to connect the pieces together. You need to be careful in measuring, since the four straight pieces need to be exactly the same length, as do the pieces you will use to create the curve. If you don't feel comfortable creating a curve, you can also purchase pre-bent PVC in some Lowe's and Home Depot stores, but the curves may be too big and need to be bent slightly more.

2.8.4. Assembling the Holder

After measuring, you now need to make the cuts. I used a $9 USD PVC pipe cutter, but you could use a simple hacksaw. Using a hacksaw will make a mess, so make sure you put paper down beforehand for easy cleanup. I found some PVC that was in a slight "S" form, and then used a blowtorch to bend the PVC slightly to where I wanted it to be. Kids, do not try using a blowtorch without adult supervision. I first tried using a hair dryer, but there was not enough heat generated by it to bend the PVC.

The first time you connect everything together (see Figure 2-51), you may find it is not "true." This will require you to make small cuts with your PVC pipe cutter (see, it's easier than a hacksaw) to shorten as needed.

After you have ensured everything fits together, you can use PVC glue and glue the pieces together.

Make sure that you are in a properly ventilated area, preferably outside.

If you glue the unit at this stage, you will not be able to separate the pieces again. If you want to add on to the system later, (e.g., wiring for headphones/speakers or batteries), you will have to cut it open. Skip gluing if you are unsure.

After allowing the proper time for the glue to set (follow instructions on the PVC glue container closely) you can now wipe the PVC down with a cleaning compound. Follow the instructions for your cleaning compound closely. You can now paint the system. Allow drying time for the paint. Do not try to mount the dock to the painted surface until the paint is completely dry (see Figure 2-52).

Figure 2-51. Snapped together unit for fitting. Notice the "burned" areas caused by the blowtorch

Figure 2-52. Testing out holder prior to painting

There are many ways you can mount the dock to the system. I chose to use a screw. You can also use Velcro from the base of the dock to the PVC, but I could not find a strong-enough Velcro that would hold the dock with the PSP in it properly and securely enough. After mounting the dock to the system, you now need to add a small piece of Velcro to the dock and the PSP. This is so the PSP does not drop out of the dock while you are moving.

2.8.5. Hacking the Hack

This simple, hands-free holder can be greatly expanded upon. You could, for one thing, route the headset wire [Hack #14] through the PVC. Or you could add on a battery holder within the PVC and modify the dock slightly. You could also add a beer holder and straw, or maybe even a snack holder.

James McMurray