Not long ago, the emergence of digital technologies was dominated not for the latest tech-gadget, but by an endless quest to find AA batteries.

Now, it seems we’re all in search of USB charging ports…

…or Qi wireless chargers.

…or two of them.

…or Apple Watch chargers.

So I cobbled this together out of some spare Red Oak:

I should’ve included a tape measure for scale, but it’s 10-1/2″ W x 5-1/2″ H x 7-1/2″ deep. Way over-built.

Fine woodworking is something that I haven’t the tools, time, nor motivation for. Yet.

It includes

• an internal 3-port power-strip/travel cube for power — the white cable is its mains
• a six-port high-output USB charger (2.5A per outlet!) on the front — lower right in the photo
• two combination Qi + Apple Watch chargers on the top
• and an internal WiFi repeater — all of my devices are bound to it and I only need to have it join a WiFi network
• Suitable non-skid pads on the bottom to ensure it stays in one place

I still need to find a suitable set of hinges for the lid and a latch to stop it unintentionally opening. I’ll also need to find some sort of carry handle/strap. The earlier ammo-box style used rope handles on either end, which I still might do.

Yep, I could have just thrown everything into a Sterilite container, but where’s the fun in that? It’s not bad for an quick throw-together charging station solution.

And, yes, Pine would’ve been lighter and easier to work with — and it would’ve gone rather nicely with the 1940s-era ammo-box style. But I didn’t have any readily available. So, Red Oak, it is. And also it’s nicer than both the plywood and much less wasteful than the Purpleheart and Lignum Vitae that I do have.