Derek Cohen
03-05-2013, 1:06 AM
I've been interested in military/campaign furniture for some years. Some will recall I built a set of chests about 18 months ago. The opportunity to build a lapdesk presented itself very recently as I was left with the smaller section of this box after using the larger section for my plough plane.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/boxes/A15.jpg
The dimensions are pretty close to what I needed. My plan is to be inspired by tradition, but it will have a contemporary interpretation as the wood used is not typical. Anyway, it is for my own use, and will house my favourite ink and fountain pens.
I've really only just begun ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk1_zps333a08f5.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk2_zps720ff6c8.jpg
There are two drawers, space for two pens at the top and ink, and room for the iPad (which is why the console is floating).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk4_zps0f9842a2.jpg
There will be more built in, which I will leave for another time. One item I will show is a secret compartment, which was fun adding today ...
There will be a lid over the console, which is hinged from the rear. This is raised to access the ink and pens without disturbing the writing area. When this is raised, it is possible to remove the console by lifting it vertically (it is attached to the base on steel pins) ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk3_zpsc616df60.jpg
Onto the drawers. It is a while since I have made really small drawers, and I forgot to add the grooves beforehand. This left me with a few dinky pieces (each is only 1 1/2" wide). How do you plane a groove on work this small?
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard1_zps3942d1d9.jpg
The base of the drawer requires a groove that is 1/8" wide ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard2_zpsc5965cdf.jpg
I realised that I could not put it off any longer - a sticking board was needed. However I chose to build one that has an adjustable fence. This would enable all boards to be placed against the side of the bench to use the fence on ploughs, rebate planes, etc.
The fence is also reversible, with low- and high sides. The low side is needed to avoid the arms of the LV Small Plow plane.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard3_zps91f1c016.jpg
There are several stops. These need to be aligned and the screw tops ground to sharpen the edges.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard4_zps9a66f9d3.jpg
Underside ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard5_zps97ed0515.jpg
(Now that I know this works well, I plan to build another one with T-Track. There is an issue with the above track in that it will dent and create a memory of positions used).
Using it is a simple matter ..
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard7_zpsabd3d210.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard6_zps206d410b.jpg
Work in progress ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard8_zps0d78a41f.jpg
Regards from Perth
Derek
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/boxes/A15.jpg
The dimensions are pretty close to what I needed. My plan is to be inspired by tradition, but it will have a contemporary interpretation as the wood used is not typical. Anyway, it is for my own use, and will house my favourite ink and fountain pens.
I've really only just begun ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk1_zps333a08f5.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk2_zps720ff6c8.jpg
There are two drawers, space for two pens at the top and ink, and room for the iPad (which is why the console is floating).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk4_zps0f9842a2.jpg
There will be more built in, which I will leave for another time. One item I will show is a secret compartment, which was fun adding today ...
There will be a lid over the console, which is hinged from the rear. This is raised to access the ink and pens without disturbing the writing area. When this is raised, it is possible to remove the console by lifting it vertically (it is attached to the base on steel pins) ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Lapdesk3_zpsc616df60.jpg
Onto the drawers. It is a while since I have made really small drawers, and I forgot to add the grooves beforehand. This left me with a few dinky pieces (each is only 1 1/2" wide). How do you plane a groove on work this small?
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard1_zps3942d1d9.jpg
The base of the drawer requires a groove that is 1/8" wide ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard2_zpsc5965cdf.jpg
I realised that I could not put it off any longer - a sticking board was needed. However I chose to build one that has an adjustable fence. This would enable all boards to be placed against the side of the bench to use the fence on ploughs, rebate planes, etc.
The fence is also reversible, with low- and high sides. The low side is needed to avoid the arms of the LV Small Plow plane.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard3_zps91f1c016.jpg
There are several stops. These need to be aligned and the screw tops ground to sharpen the edges.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard4_zps9a66f9d3.jpg
Underside ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard5_zps97ed0515.jpg
(Now that I know this works well, I plan to build another one with T-Track. There is an issue with the above track in that it will dent and create a memory of positions used).
Using it is a simple matter ..
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard7_zpsabd3d210.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard6_zps206d410b.jpg
Work in progress ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Lapdesk/Stickingboard8_zps0d78a41f.jpg
Regards from Perth
Derek