How to Make a Portable Laptop, Writing or Reading Table to Fit Your Easy Chair

I always wanted a laptop computer so I could kick back in my easy chair, watch TV and surf the web. When I brought my first laptop home, I set it up with a wireless router and settled into my easy chair, set it in my lap and began surfing. It wasn't long before I started feeling uncomfortable, looking down at the screen caused strain on my aged, arthritic neck and the heat generated from the laptop wasn't part of my laptop dream. This table is what I came up with to solve my discomfort problem. I designed it to stretch across my lap and rest on the arms of my easy chair and made it portable so it used anywhere. This table can also be used as a writing, reading, game table or any other use you may come up with.

The materials needed for this project are 3/4" medium density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, wood or other material of your choice, wood glue and screws.Use the MDF for top only, driving screws into edges of legs will cause it to split. I recommend pine or a hardwood for legs.

1. Determine the dimensions of your table by measuring the distance from the arms of your chair center to center (my table measures 34" long x 10 3/4" wide). The width of the table is also determined by the size of your laptop and personal preferences. If you buy your material at one of the big box home improvement stores ask them to cut your material to you dimensions.

2.For legs measure and mark 2 1/8" from botom to top at the back of leg blank and 7/8" high on the front of leg. With a straightedge connect the two marks at 10 3/4" long. Cut along this line to form the legs.

3. With a sander or router round over the edges of the table and bottom side of the legs to get rid of the sharp edges.

4. Pre-drill five holes through the table top and the legs at each end.

5. Attach the legs with the wood glue and screws and allow the glue to dry 24 hours.

6. Paint, stain, polyurethane your table, let dry overnight and the table will be done. Leaving the table natural is another option.

Tips: Mount non slip drawer liner on top of your table to avoid your laptop from sliding around using double sided tape..

If you don't like the mouse pad on your laptop a wireless mouse is a nice addition.

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