ThomasJefferson Style LapDesk

thingiverse

After searching high and low for a lap desk plan, I was surprised to find them for around $60 each. Rather than splurging on these pricey plans, I decided to get creative and build something similar myself. My first attempt had the tray laser-cut, while the rest of the desk was constructed around it. When coworkers at work praised my design, I knew I had a winner. That's when I started working on designing the entire lap desk so it could be cut out with a laser cutter. Both the drawer and box were designed using makercase.com. To assemble the outer box, I needed to adjust the pieces a bit because the base was 1/8" plywood, while the top and two walls were 1/4". The hinge side required a 1/2" board to allow screws to go deeper in, as well as accommodate a handle on the lap desk. Here are some assembly notes: The hinges should be recessed on the lids before etching them in. Measure your hinges first to avoid any issues; I still needed to use a chisel to deepen the slots. Round the corners of the drawer to ensure it can slide past glue from the box's corners. Glue the face of the drawer last, allowing you to center it within the box rather than relying on the drawer itself. I found some great hinges at True Value for $2.90 a pack of four. For this project, I needed six hinges in total – four for the lids and two for the leg that folds out from underneath.