What is iMac stand made of

[MacHiavelli]

I want to lower the height of a 24 inch iMac. I want to take the stand off, cut it in half and then rebolt the two halves together, but overlapping them where they meet so I can drop the height by about 3 inches.

but I need to know what the stand is made of... anyone know. Solid aluminium? Plastic and aluminium?

Thanks

[arkitect]

I would assume solid aluminium…

Instead of sawing it in half and then bolting it together again — Franken-iMac — have you considered a VESA attachment (https://www.krcs.co.uk/shop/product/details/imac-24-vesa-mount-kit)?

[amiga]

I'd imagine its solid aluminium... chopping the stand in half doesn't sound like a good idea to me. It'd probably alter the balance of the computer. If it’s a new iMac hacking bits off won't help with the guarantee either.

Why do you need to change the hight? if its a 24" you can wall mount it with a Vesa mount.

I would assume solid aluminium…

Instead of sawing it in half and then bolting it together again — Franken-iMac — have you considered a VESA attachment (https://www.krcs.co.uk/shop/product/details/imac-24-vesa-mount-kit)?

See... we agree :)

[AlexisV]

I want to lower the height of a 24 inch iMac. I want to take the stand off, cut it in half and then rebolt the two halves together, but overlapping them where they meet so I can drop the height by about 3 inches.


Good God. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Remember, you're slashing the resale value by doing that.

[MacHiavelli]

Thanks for the advice. There's no wall near where I need it to go and I can't find a VESA desk stand that I like. It is a couple of months old, but I'm not really worried about the warranty because it won't get used much more as it is and so the only thing that will give it more life will be if I can lower its height.

If it is solid aluminium, then I reckon I can cut and lower it. (BIG IF!)

[amiga]

I think this inspires a collective shudder from Mac users through out the world... Why is it so imperative to lower it if I can ask?

[sushi]

Thanks for the advice. There's no wall near where I need it to go and I can't find a VESA desk stand that I like. It is a couple of months old, but I'm not really worried about the warranty because it won't get used much more as it is and so the only thing that will give it more life will be if I can lower its height.

If it is solid aluminium, then I reckon I can cut and lower it. (BIG IF!)
I would never cut it, unless you have an artistic design modification. Otherwise, you probably will never be able to sell it. Also, if you do that, you may have a hard time convincing Apple that you didn't try some other mods inside should you need to repair it.

There are so many VESA desk stands out there. One has to work for you I would think.

[arkitect]

Well… Good luck! :(

But crikey, it feels to me like I'd be sawing my own leg in half…
Think carefully before you tie the poor iMac down. :eek::eek:

[MacHiavelli]

I think this inspires a collective shudder from Mac users through out the world... Why is it so imperative to lower it if I can ask?

I provided the iMac for a colleague who is 5 foot 2; and the top of the screen is a few inches above her eye line and causing her to feel uncomfortable. If I can get the screen lower, she'll be okay. If I can't, I'll have to replace the iMac with a MPB and a 23 inch ACD. No one else here needs or wants the iMac, so it is either a case of finding a way to adapt it or simply bin it/sell it. It will probably just collect dust if I can't chop its legs down a bit, which is a waste.

[davidjearly]

Well, in that case you should sell it and buy something which more fit your needs.

David.

[Eric Lewis]

You could do something like this

http://paulstamatiou.com/2007/02/17/how-to-lower-your-imac

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/392648143_f851344c89.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/392648445_09f3e5988a.jpg

[MacHiavelli]

Yeah I've seen that before - thought cutting and bolting would give a more stable and permanent solution ... so long as the base really is solid alu...

[a456]

Can't you raise or lower the chair or desk, or cut an inch off the table legs? It just feels wrong hacking up the iMac.

[MacHiavelli]

Can't you raise or lower the chair or desk, or cut an inch off the table legs? It just feels wrong hacking up the iMac.

We've tried raising the chair, but that means her arms don't sit comfortably on the desk. We've got the desk as low as it will go. The problem really is down to the fact that the stand does not offer any height adjustment. If I can find out for sure if it is solid aluminium, then I'll cut and bolt it. I am not worried about the warranty - if I ever need to take it to Apple I'll put a VESA mount on the back and just say it normally hangs on a wall - they'll never see the adapted stand. Maybe I should put a pilot drill hole through it to see what it is made of - that will show if it can be cut and bolted together.

[amiga]

Maybe you could bolt some bits on to your colleague and make her a bit taller ;)

[cmcbridejr]

You could do something like this

http://paulstamatiou.com/2007/02/17/how-to-lower-your-imac

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/392648143_f851344c89.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/392648445_09f3e5988a.jpg

Do the vents on the bottom still get circulated with air?

It looks like the way you rigged it up would cause serious overheating issues.

[iJohnHenry]

Ahem!!!

Venting on the bottom.

Bad idea.

[MacHiavelli]

Ahem!!!

Venting on the bottom.

Bad idea.

You're right -that's a bad idea. Space needs to be left underneath.

[Sun Baked]

Ahem!!!

Venting on the bottom.

Bad idea.

Those little half sphere silicone pads used for pictures, may just keep the machine up high enough for venting.

[I am Sampson]

surely rather than hacking the imac up you could just modify the desk? Cut out a square where the imac stand sits, and re-attach it a few inches lower (using very strong/stable struts/connections of course so it'll still take the weight). Do the desk before the imac, it'd be far easier unless its a glass desk or something odd.

[mpaar]

Go on, just cut the stand and bolt it back together with some nice slots to allow height adjustment in case you need one inch below for cooling. The desk idea is a good one too. . .

[sk8mash]

Poor iMac :( Most the time im at mine, I have my eyes level with the apple logo, probably not good for me :p

[JayLenochiniMac]

It's your money. Post the result.

[elcid]

surely rather than hacking the imac up you could just modify the desk? Cut out a square where the imac stand sits, and re-attach it a few inches lower (using very strong/stable struts/connections of course so it'll still take the weight). Do the desk before the imac, it'd be far easier unless its a glass desk or something odd.

I would prefer this idea. Cut it out, get some bolts and maybe metal play and then bolt it in the same spot but lower. And that way you arent chopping up your imac

[millap]

This type of thing reminds me of what a great design the G4 iMac was. I wish Apple could have found a way to retain that arm in the G5 and Intel models.

[BJMRamage]

Well, if you decide to cut and Frankenstein your iMac....PLEASE post photos of it!!!

That is odd about eh chair height thing. Most people don't mind some height added and then maybe a foot base.

Good Luck!

[wordmunger]

This discussion suggests cutting a slot in the desk and mounting the stand to the bottom of the desk!

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6916304

Someone in that thread says it's solid metal.

[AceWilfong]

...

[davidwarren]

I'm not sure what the big deal is, the worst that would happen is he would just buy a new stand.

[alphaod]

I thought it was VESA mount compatible? So you can just remove the stand?

[Lenno]

Why all this hassle??? I think it is a great idea if he need to lower it and it will still look the same only lower.

Here is how you do:

Measure how much you want to cut off from the stand and remove the stand from the computer. Then take it to a hardware shop and explain what you want to do. They will most likely split it in half, cut out a part of the stand and then weld it togheter again and reshape and grind it so it will have a smoth and streamlined surface.

How much? Around 50-100 dollar if they are professional.

[elcid]

Why all this hassle??? I think it is a great idea if he need to lower it and it will still look the same only lower.

Here is how you do:

Measure how much you want to cut off from the stand and remove the stand from the computer. Then take it to a hardware shop and explain what you want to do. They will most likely split it in half, cut out a part of the stand and then weld it togheter again and reshape and grind it so it will have a smoth and streamlined surface.

How much? Around 50-100 dollar if they are professional.

I could understand if it was steel, but all that on an aluminum stand?

[err404]

You could have something made similar to a Plate Holder super sized to the iMac.

http://www.countryroseoriginals.com/shop/images/uploads/PlateHolderLargeBurgundy.jpg

[fivepoint]

I want to lower the height of a 24 inch iMac. I want to take the stand off, cut it in half and then rebolt the two halves together, but overlapping them where they meet so I can drop the height by about 3 inches.

but I need to know what the stand is made of... anyone know. Solid aluminium? Plastic and aluminium?

Thanks

Make sure to post pictures!!!

[mojohanna]

I could understand if it was steel, but all that on an aluminum stand?

Yes, you can weld aluminum. I would agree that this would give the best and probably safest option. I am almost (99.9%) certain that the stand is solid aluminum. It is certainly NOT plastic. It may have a thin plastic coating on it to aid in movement and protection from fingerprints etc. In all likelyhood, this could simply be replaced by applying a coat of acrylic or polyurethane once the modification has been completed.

[iPhil]

Here's a weird idea: Call an apple store and ask a genius 'bout the iMac foot? :rolleyes: :confused:

[negatv1]

From the sounds of it you people are acting as if he was asking how to shorten his own legs - It's only a computer! In five years it will likely be on it's way to a dump somewhere.

If the person using it is more productive/happy using the machine when lowered by a couple inches, why not?

Especially when you can just pop on the VESA mount to get around any problems during the warranty period.

Go for it, and of course - Post the pics. :)

[nissan.gtp]

I'd love to have a new leg/foot/whateveritis that's 2 inches lower -- I have mine on a table and it's really too high. VESA arm is a possibility.

Best ergonomics is to have the top of the display ~ eye level.

OTOH, I hated it at first, but cranked my chair up and have gotten used to it pretty much.

[redmac]

Don't do it. It will move the center of gravity from center of the stand towards the back of it. So, with a little contact the iMac may fall off the desk.

[amiga]

Don't do it. It will move the center of gravity from center of the stand towards the back of it. So, with a little contact the iMac may fall off the desk.

I'd have to agree with that...

[mpaar]

I think I'll lower my 24" Alum iMac too . . .

I believe it really better ergonomically. I plan to simply use the antique plate idea that is a few posts up from here. Or some similar stand the allows a bit of air flow at the bottom edge. I can document temps before and after to see how scared I should get.

Mike

[Genden]

Can anyone give me the measurements/dimensions of the 24' stand? Wondering if I have to buy a new desk if I decide to purchase one...

[flyinthesky]

We've tried raising the chair, but that means her arms don't sit comfortably on the desk. We've got the desk as low as it will go. The problem really is down to the fact that the stand does not offer any height adjustment. If I can find out for sure if it is solid aluminium, then I'll cut and bolt it. I am not worried about the warranty - if I ever need to take it to Apple I'll put a VESA mount on the back and just say it normally hangs on a wall - they'll never see the adapted stand. Maybe I should put a pilot drill hole through it to see what it is made of - that will show if it can be cut and bolted together.

Solid aluminium
but make sure you can bolt it firmly, 24 inch mac is not a little boy