John F. Adams

Many readers of Amateur Work are undoubtedly -studious'and given to reading, and when such reading is from a large and heavy book, fervently wish for some kind of supporting device wherewith to make easier the holding of the book. This is especially true when, tired from an arduous day's work, one desires to lie on a couch and rest, and at the same time to read. While visiting a friend recently, whose ingenious mind is always planning, and skillful hands making, some labor saving fixture, the stand here described was exhibited and pronounced by the owner to be most satisfactory furniture he had added to a somewhat large collection of homemade work. The illustration clearly shows its general makeup. It can be made of white-wood, gumwood, oak or any except very soft wood.

The lumber bill is as follows:

1 piece 4 ft. long and 1 3/4 in. wide, 1/2 in. thick.

1 " 7 " " " " " " l 8/4 x2 8/4 in. "

1 " 4 " " 2 8/4 " " " 1 1/2 in. "

1 " 18 in. " 16 in. " " 3/4 in.

1 " 18 in. " " 1 1/4 in. round curtain rod. 1 " 1/2 in. moulding.

The T frame at the base is made of the l|x2|in. stock, the top of the T being 18 in. long and the extending piece, 16 in. long, with halved joint- A mortise 1 1/2 in- square is made through the center of the joint to receive the tenon on a piece of the same stock, 6 in. long and If in. square. The tenon made on this latter piece is very firmly wedged into the mortise, and also glued for additional strength.

The barrel, 24 in. long, is made of the 1/2 in. stock, measuring inside 1 8/4 in. The joints should be glued and nailed, planing off, when the glue is dry, to secure a good, smooth surface. When finished it is firmly nailed at the bottom to the short piece projecting from the T base.

The post should have a snug fit inside the barrel, and yet slide therein without binding. It is 24 in. long and I 3/4 in. square, which is secured by sawing off one edge of the 1 3/4 x 2| in. stock. The top end is rounded off, as shown. A hole is bored not quite through the top, and centering 2 in. from the top, for the end of the piece of 1 1/4 in. curtain pole. If this size cannot be obtained, use 1 in. pole.

The table is a plain board 18 x 15 8/4 in., with two supports, screwed and glued to the under side of the shape of the supports, as shown in the illustration. They are cut out of the 1 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. stock, and are 12 in. long. Holes are bored at the center to give an easy fit to the rod. Slots are also cut from one end to the center of the holes, and bolts with butterfly nuts fitted, so that by screwing up the nuts, the supports will bind on the rod and hold the table in any desired position. It is also well to put screws through the ends opposite the slots to prevent their splitting at that place. Washers should also be placed under the nuts. It will be noted that to adapt the stand to either side of a couch or bed, it is only necessary to take off the table, turn it around and replace upon the rod.

To adjust the height of the post, 1 in. holes 3 in. apart are bored in both barrel and post on the side from which the table extends, but not through the outer side of the barrel. The lower hole is 12 in. above the base. A wooden pin is then made to fit the holes, with the inner end pointed for easy insertion.

In addition to the uses first mentioned, this stand is very handy as a medicine or food table beside a bed for case of sickness.