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I’m just about to resaw my maple version of Roubo’s Folding Bookstand that’s based on Roy
Underhill’s article, and I made a full-size pattern of the elevation of the project.
Want it?
It’s a pdf that shows the scrollwork at the top and bottom of the bookstand, plus it shows where you should make the crosscut on the front piece. You’ll have to print it out on 11″ x 17″ paper (or print it out in pieces). I can’t help you with that part – I don’t know how your printer works. So find a 14-year-old to help if you have problems.
— Christopher Schwarz
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I was intrigued by the folding book stand from old pictures like the 1877 painting of a girl using one by the artist Lord Frederick Gainesborough and others, but the most intriguing was a huge folding chair that looked like it was made from a 12′ 4"x 6 foot board. When opened like a book stand, it looks like 2x12x6. the steep sides look like it would be uncomfortable to sit on even with the pillow and cloth in the middle as shown. This was a Middle Eastern (Arabic?) painting. These 2 examples prompted me to try a book stand after reading Roy Underhill’s project. It’s not really as easy as it looks.(I used alder cause that’s all I have in quantity) Still a good project as I plan to do more.
Christopher,
What is the best method for smoothing the opposing faces resulting from the rip cuts. It seems that you almost must plane cross-grain with a very fine setting. Would you chamfer the edges of all the scroll work first to prevent spelching and then touch up the chamfers. It also looks like very tight work in the corner formed by the hinge. I assume this would be best tackled by a paring chisel or card scraper.
Hey Chris! Thanks for the full size pattern! I think I have the perfect piece of figured crotch grain walnut for this. I’ve been saving it for about 9 years, waiting for just the right project!