Lap Desk for Kids

 

Glue and clamp the right side (A)
and back (B) together with a squaring
brace. Then drill pilot holes through the
side into the back.

 

With the rabbeting bit's bearing
riding along the inside of the case,
rout a 3/8" rabbet 1/4" deep around
the bottom
inside edges.

 

Flip the case. Holding the lid (E) in
place and positioned by spacers,
drill holes through the side into the
lid for the brass hinge pins.

Assemble the pieces

1. Glue and clamp together the right side (A) and back (B), as shown in Photo A. Then have your partner drill 3/32" pilot holes, centered in the side counterbores, through the bottom of the counterbores and 3/4" deep into the back, as shown. (We wrapped a piece of masking tape around the bit for a depth stop, locating the tape 1 1/4" from the end of the bit to allow for the 1/2"-thick side and 3/4" pilot-hole depth.) Drive the screws. Repeat to attach the left side (A) and front (C) to assembly A/B.
2. Assisting your partner, as needed, apply glue to the top edge of the back (B) and to the ends of the lid rest (D). Clamp the lid rest in position on the beveled top edge of the back, where shown on Drawing 1, making sure the rounded edge of the rest is faceup and to the inside of the case. Now drill pilot holes, centered in the side counterbores, into the rest, and drive the screws. Remove the glue squeeze-out.
3. Chuck a 3/8" rabbeting bit in your table-mounted router. Then rout a 1/4"-deep rabbet around the inside bottom edges of the case to receive the bottom (F), where shown on Drawing 1 and as shown in Photo B. (We recommend the adult do this.)
4. To attach the lid (E), lay the case with the bottom up on a flat work surface. Then place the lid in the case bottom face up, making sure that the rounded edge of the lid is facedown and adjacent to the lid rest (D). Next, position the beveled front edge of the lid flush with the front (C) by inserting scrap 1/8"-thick spacers between the lid and the lid rest, and center the lid side-to-side by inserting 1/32" spacers (we used card stock) between it and the sides (A), as shown in Photo C. Now drill 1/8" holes 3/4" deep, centered in the side counterbores, into the lid for the brass hinge pins, as shown. Remove the spacers.