Lap boards

I designed lap boards as a tool for doing a variety of tasks while sitting down.  These seem to be a favorite among those who work from home as they provide a place for a laptop to sit that doesn't overheat the laptop or burn you lap. These can also be used as TV trays, a portable writing desk, or a place to do crafting while sitting outside enjoying a sunny day.  I make 2 sizes, a 20" long one and a larger one that is 26" long. Both are approximately 11" to 12" wide, depending on the wood I find for the center panel.

There are a few different ways I craft these, but I always look for woods that have interesting grain patterns or colors that either contrast or compliment each other.  The center panel can be 1, 2 or 3 pieces depending on how wide the boards are that I find with the grain pattern or colors I have in mind.  The end pieces will be wood that is different from the center panel and arranged so the grain runs 90 degrees to the grain of the center panel.  I trim the center panel edges with the same wood I use on the end pieces to give a visual flow to the piece. At times I will cut plugs and install them in the end pieces to give a slight contrast and another visual aspect, but if the grain or color is really spectacular, I will skip the plugs and let the wood speak for itself.

Because these are picked up, carried around, handled, arms rested on them, I round over the corners and all of the edges.  This makes for smooth handling.  Since these can be used as a surface to write on, I will fill any holes, knots or voids with a filler I mix up on the spot to either match or contrast the colors around it.  I finish these with hard wax oil which soaks into the wood, giving it protection while also allowing the grain and colors to pop at the same time. 

A 20" lap board. The outer edges are spalted maple with a cherry center panel.

20" lap board. This has the same type of woods used as the above lap board, but the grain is different. The outer edges are spalted maple with a cherry center panel.

These are the 26" size.  The top and right lap boards have cherry ends and edges with a maple center panel.  These have 2 different pieces of maple joined together to form the center panel. Note the maple plugs installed in the cherry end pieces as a visually contrasting element while also tying the end pieces together with the center panel. 

The left bottom one has a cherry center panel with purpleheart edges and end pieces.  Cherry plugs are in the end pieces on this one.  Note the cherry panel and how most of it has the brownish color with a slighty red tint to it that is typical of cherry yet there is an almost white streak that run along the one edge.  That white streak is the color of cherry's heartwood.  I left that in there on purpose, allowing the cherry to give itself a little visual contrast.