Quick Project: Laptop Tray
I recently had to spend a few days in bed but couldn't be separated from my laptop. The solution... a laptop tray that would allow me to work and also serve as a tray for meals!
Separate me from my laptop for more than an hour and I start to get withdrawal symptoms. Spending a few days in bed might be good for my body - but it isn't good for my sanity. To allow me to work while I rest, I made a laptop tray that would ensure my laptop stayed cooled and me to work. Turns out, the laptop tray was also perfect as a meal tray.
YOU WILL NEED:
1 of 300 x 500mm 12/16mm SupaWood - top
2 of 300 x 200mm 12/16mm Supawood - sides
6 of 4 x 40mm screws
4 steel angle braces and 12mm screws
Wood filler
120- and 240-grit sandpaper
Wood glue
Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint in your choice of colour
TOOLS:
Drill / Driver plus assorted bits
25mm spade bit
OPTIONAL: Dremel MultiTool and fine sanding ring
Find all the tools and supplies for this project at Builders Warehouse.
HERE'S HOW:
1.To ensure your laptop stays cool it's important to add ventilated holes. To do this you need a spade bit or hole saw and I used a 25mm spade bit.
GOOD TO KNOW: When drilling holes with a spade bit, only drill to 3/4 the depth. Then turn the board over and continue drilling from the other side. This will give you holes with a neat edge on BOTH sides.
2. Assemble by pre-drilling countersunk pilot holes through the edge of the top into the sides. Attach the sides using wood glue and screws and then secure [2] steel braces with 12mm screws - 2 on each side about 50mm in from the edge.
![2. Assemble by pre-drilling countersunk pilot holes through the edge of the top into the sides. Attach the sides using wood glue and screws and then secure [2] steel braces with 12mm screws - 2 on each side about 50mm in from the edge.](../2017/feb/174.jpg)
3. Sand the edges and holes with 120-grit sandpaper until smooth and then apply a thin layer of wood filler. The wood filler will seal the edges to prepare for spray painting. Let the wood filler dry.
4. If you own a Dremel MultiTool, a sanding ring is perfect for sanding inside the cut holes. Alternatively, sand the wood filler with 120- and then 240-grit sandpaper.
5. Put down some newspaper to protect your work surface and the lightly spray on two coats of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint. Allow the first coat to dry before spraying on the next coat.
GOOD TO KNOW: Rust-Oleum products are available at your local Builders store.
How easy was that! Now you have a lap tray that you can use when you need to work in front of the TV, or in bed, or for meals.
