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Scrap Lap Desk

December 15, 2009 |

9 Comments

posted by Ana White

PDF version

If you've built up a pile of scraps, this is the perfect project to take on. Perfect for your teen's room or even as a occasional work surface on the living room floor, this lap desk features sturdy construction and lift top storage.

Additional Photos

Handmade from this plan >>

Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!

Handmade by: groovymom2000
Handmade by: canesa
Handmade by: JenWoodhouse.com

About Project

Author Notes:

Dimensions

Dimensions:

24" Wide x 14" High x 14" Deep

Materials and Tools

Shopping List:

Standard Hinges

1 - 1x12 @ 4 feet long

1 - 1x4 @ 6 feet long

1 - 2x2 @ 6 feet long

1 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long

2 inch screws

2 1/2 inch screws

1 1/4 inch finish nails

wood glue

wood filler

120 grit sandpaper

primer

wood conditioner

paint

paint brush

Tools:

measuring tape

square

pencil

safety glasses

hearing protection

drill

circular saw

sander

Cut List

Cut List:

A) 1 – 1×12 @ 19 1/2″ (Bottom of the top storage compartment)

B) 2 – 1×4 @ 11 1/2″ (Sides of the top storage compartment)

C) 2 – 1×4 @ 21″ (Front and Backs of the top storage compartment)

D) 4- 2×2 @ 13″ (Legs)

E) 2 – 2×2 @ 10″ (Top Trim)

F) 2 – 1×3 @ 10″ (Bottom of the Side Compartments)

G) 4 – 1×3 @ 4″ (Sides of the Side Compartments)

H) 4 – 1/4″ Plywood cut at 10″ x 4 3/4″ (Front and Back of Side Compartments)

I) 1 – 1×3 @ 11 1/2″ (Divider for the top compartment)

J) 1 – 1×3 @ 6″ (Short Divider for the top compartment)

K) 1 – 1×2 @ 24″ (Top, Back, Fixed)

L) 1 – 1×12 @ 24″ (Hinged Top)

General Instructions

Start by cutting all your boards. Use 2 3/4″ screws and 2″ nails unless otherwise directed. Always use glue. Predrill and countersink all screw holes.

Step 1

Nail boards B to board A, keeping outside edges flush, as shown above.

Step 2

Nail boards C to boards A and B as shown above.

Step 3

Screw the legs to the top storage compartment, as shown above.

Step 4

The Top Trim, E, is screwed to the top storage compartment with 2″ screws (you can also use 2″ nails). Make sure you also screw through the legs into the end edges of the Top Trim, E.

Step 5

The easiest way to construct the side storage compartments is to first nail boards F to boards G. Then nail through boards G into the legs.

Step 6

Add the plywood to the backs of the side storage compartments with nails.

Step 7

Then plywood the front, as shown above, again with nails and glue.

Step 8

Add the dividers, I and J, to the storage compartment as shown above, using nails through the sides of the top storage compartment. You can adjust the dividers to suit your needs.

Step 9

Nail the top back piece, K, to the top of the lap table, as shown above. Keep outside edges flush.

Step 10

Use hinges to attach the hinged top, L, to the top back, K.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Minwax Two Tone Oil Based Stain on Pine

Coffee Stained Antique White

Minwax Water Based Stain on Oak Hardwood Plywood

Desk, Other Projects, Bedroom, Kids and Toys, living room, storage and organization, Intermediate, Under $20, Children's, Cottage

9 Comments

I just discovered your

I just discovered your website and I am in AWE! You are so talented! What great resource!

posted by kermiefrg (not verified) | on Sat, 2010-01-09 07:03

I came over from ucreate!

I came over from ucreate! i've spent a bit looking around your site! LOVE IT! there are so many projects I want to build. This is one of them. After my hubby is done crafting his closet (in progress at the moment), I'll put him to work on a new bed for us! I was hoping to find something that we could build. I'm so happy to have found your site! thank you for your generous sharing :)
amy

posted by AmyJoy (not verified) | on Sun, 2010-01-10 20:33

We're in the process of

We're in the process of making this and I think there might be an error in the materials listing:
21" 1x12 should be 24" for the hinged top.
The other 1x12 should be a 24" 1x2 for the fixed top.
Other than that it was great! Can't wait to try more of your cool plans!
Janine

posted by J (not verified) | on Sun, 2010-01-31 22:27

Do you have the shopping list

Do you have the shopping list for this project?! I can probably figure it out, but thought I'd ask. Thankyou for all your hard work!

posted by AshleeDunlap (not verified) | on Tue, 2010-12-21 00:01

clips

Shopping List

The shopping list is located at the top of the plans.

posted by smcswillis | on Wed, 2011-07-06 07:05

clips

INCORPORATING THE C TABLE

I would like to incorporate this desk with the C table plans on this site. I also would like to turn the table top sideways to where it is 20 inches wide vice long. The only problem is that it is only going to be 11 inches from back to the front and I don't know if that is going to be enough to pull it close enough. here are my questions. If I made the compartment a 20"x20", would the 1x6 still support the weight of a laptop computer and misc stuff stored in the compartment. Would I need to shorten the height? Do I need to strengthen the base any? If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

posted by smcswillis | on Wed, 2011-07-06 07:04

this is awesome i'm gonna

this is awesome i'm gonna make it

posted by Guest (not verified) | on Wed, 2011-12-07 16:24

Modifications

The second I saw this I thought "this would make an amazing conductor's podium" I am a band director and I have fiddled for years to create an organized space around my podium. This year I decided my only options were to pay hundreds for the custom systems (which are really cool) or make it myself. You've inspired me. I will make it myself this summer. I will be making a few changes to your awesome plans to make this lap desk into a conductor's podium: - taller legs (waist high) - put the storage compartments within reach while standing - enlarge the actual desk to hold full sized music scores - change the configuration of the interior dividers - small shelf under the desk top. - Make the desk top an incline with a little band of molding to hold the music on the desk top. Thank you SO much!

posted by Kassi (not verified) | on Sun, 2012-05-06 19:04

Legs that fold under?

I would love to make this with legs that fold under. My hubby and I travel a lot (we just bought an rv!) and would love to be able to easily store this in a closet on the road. Any ideas? Thanks! Ps. LOVE your blog!

posted by Jil (not verified) | on Sat, 2013-01-12 15:13

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