New laptop table design!

[Randy Long]

Hi,
It has been a long time since I've posted here, I am not sure whether I have posted this project, so here it is again.
This project can about needing a good laptop table next to my recliner and I wanted to use the wasted space that my previous laptop table left unused.
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-01.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-02.jpg

http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-04.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-05.jpg

Below - I was glueing on some shims to make up the space for the plastic glides you will see later.
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-06.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-07.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-08.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-09.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-10.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-11.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-12.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-13.jpg

Above and below you can see the plastic glides that smooth out the rubbing from the swing of the top.
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-14.jpg
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-15.jpg

Below you can see the piano hing and latch that I used to provide the tilting of the laptop platform. With this the front edge of the Laptop drops right onto your thighs.
http://randylong.name/images/projects/New-Laptop-Table-16.jpg

I don't have any good pictures showing the pivot mechanism. I will try to describe it. I started with a door hinge. It is mounted on the inside closest to the chair. On the inside of the opposite side is an angle iron facing in. Then they made the bracket kind of like a corner shelf. The topic is ¼ pie section then there is aid down segment that is mounted to the hinge in the final peas is a triangular brace between the two. You can see a hint of this in some of the pictures.

I hope this helps. Enjoy the pictures.
Thanks for looking.

[John Keeton]

Drawers comin' and goin'!!:D Nice project, and I really like the color of stain. Worked out really well for the intended use.

[Dennis McGarry]

Very Nice! I want one! I mean form follows function here perfectly! Well done!

[Josh Reet]

That's really clever!

Being someone who works at home (running a giant web community) and knowing the lack of good products for this sort of thing, let me tell you that you might be able to make a little beer money if you took the time to write up some plans for this design and charged $5 for them or something. There really aren't that many decent commercially available products for working on a computer while sitting on the sofa or in a easy chair.

In any case, it's really nice and I may bug you later for more info. My wife would love to have one of these next to her spot on the couch.

[Randy Long]

Hi,
I do have an AutoCad Design file.. I suppose I could Finish it up.

[John Thompson]

Not much of a computer oriented person here but.. my wife is. That is one clever design you have there and I have no intentions of letting her see it as she has me over-scheduled for the next 3 years already. :)

Again excellent idea and clever design. You very well may be able to sell the plans as mentioned as I don't think I have seen anything similar and most seem to lean on having plans to duplicate.

Nice and good luck if you go that route...

[Bob Genovesi]

Randy,

I got to tell you that your table came out great! I see you used drawer slides. I've been woodworking and building furniture for over 30 years and I know you'll find this hard to believe; I have never used drawer slides.

1. How do you "correctly" determine the drawer width know you need to allow for all that hardware?

2. How do you get the whole thing lined up so it fits right?

Very nice indeed!!