Tilty - Adjustable Phone / Tablet Desktop Stand

Update: I added options for the phone and tablet holder with holes for charging cables.

Meet Tilty – A phone and tablet holder with three friction-based joints that hold position without needing to readjust the screws every time.

Tilty is fully 3D-printed, no additional components needed.

The three hinges are friction-based with rotation-decoupled screws. This allows you to quickly adjust the position and tilt of your device without the need to touch the screws.

Please note: The screws are used to set the joint stiffness and may still need occasional tightening.

There are two versions of Tilty: the standard model and a heavy-duty version with reinforced arms and stronger screws. Both can be configured as phone or tablet holders. I tested the regular version with a 10-inch tablet without any issues.

There is also an option for flat screws. They are more finger-friendly and allow setting a higher tension. However, they are also easier to overtighten and break. So be careful not to apply too much force.

Printing

This is a friction-based design. It's best to use Basic PLA or PETG. I strongly advise against using matte filaments, as they create too much friction and won't move freely under tension. For the hinges, you should also avoid materials with poor layer adhesion (like matte PLA, silk PLA, etc.). I tested this design with Bambu Lab Basic PLA and PETG HF.

If you want to print the phone holder, you need to print the first build plate with the body parts and the second build plate with the hinges. The phone holder default supports phones with cases up to 12mm thick. There are optional upgrades to increase the allowed thickness to 14 and 16mm.

For the tablet version you can either upgrade the phone version, or print Base, Tablet Holder and Arms separately.

Important: The hinge tolerances were deliberately set tight to ensure optimal function. They should go in and out with some resistance, but still be movable with slight force. With some setups, they can be too tight - if that happens, try printing the Higher Clearance inserts and try again.

MagSafe:

I also made a MagSafe holder. The published print profile includes a brim for better adhesion. If your build plate is perfectly clean or you're using a cold plate, you can try printing it without a brim for a cleaner finish at your own risk.

The holder is a press-fit for the original Apple MagSafe charger with a diameter of 56mm. Some double-sided tape may be needed to keep the charger securely in place over time. To remove it, you can try bending the base slightly and gently wiggling the charger out. There’s also a small hole in the back, closed by a single layer, that allows you to push it out using a dull tool.

Assembly:

First, snap the bottom hook piece into the main holder plate until it clicks into place.

Next, insert one of the long inserts into one of the lower arms (the thin ones) and push it into the base. Repeat this from the other side using the second lower arm and a short insert. The inserts only fit into the base in one orientation. If they don't slide in, try rotating them! Once both arms are in place, secure the hinge with the screw.

Now repeat the same steps for the remaining hinges, so your build looks like this. Make sure the base and the main holder plate are facing the correct orientation like in the photo.

Done! You can now set the tension of the hinges to your liking and Tilty is ready to use! If the hinges don’t move freely at first, try working them in a little by moving them back and forth a few times.

If you have any issues with a component or need adjustments to better fit your device, feel free to leave a comment – I’ll do my best to help or make changes where needed.