Project DIYFoldable Cookbook Stand

Foldable Cookbook Stand Step by step

• STEP: 1

  Get the material you will need to cut down.

  This is:
  1/2" x 12" x 8"
  1/2" x 2" x 8"

  
• STEP: 2

  Using your 1/2" x 2" x 8", cut them into 2 pieces measuring 11.5" x 2" and then 2 more at 10.5" x 2".

  
• STEP: 3

  Take those 4 pieces and cut each end at 45 degree angles.

  
• STEP: 4

  Make sure the angled ends are opposite cuts because they will pair together to make a frame shape for the back.

  
• STEP: 5

  Once they are cut, put them all together to make sure its a good tight fit.

  
• STEP: 6

  Glue up the corners of each side and place them together.

  
• STEP: 7

  Secure the frame with a ratchet strap and let it sit for 30 mins.

  
• STEP: 8

  Now we are going to cut the solid stand. Cut this at 10.5" x 14".

  
• STEP: 9

  finding some scrap wood that is the same thickness as your board which is 1/2" cut 2 of them, 3" long. These will be the page holders, set aside.

  
• STEP: 10

  Now that your frame is dry, remove the strap and add wood filler to the corners and let dry about 15 mins.

  
• STEP: 11

  Sand down the wood filler with 150 grit sanding sponge, then finish sanding the rest of the frame.

  
• STEP: 12

  Sand the whole frame and use the sponge to break down the edge a bit on each side.

  
• STEP: 13

  Use the Microzip to breakdown the edge in the center of the frame using 120 grit.

  
• STEP: 14

  Round over one side of each page holder with an 80 grit sanding sponge

  
• STEP: 15

  With your 12" x 1/2" hinge, line it up on your pieces to and predrill the holes for the screws. 

  
• STEP: 16

  Once the holes are predrilled, put in the screws.

  
• STEP: 17

  Using your 1/2" x 2" x 10" cut a piece for the folding shelf ledge for the book. Cut it to 1" x 14".

  
• STEP: 18

  Set up, mark, and countersink/predrill the holes for the 2" hinges that will hold the shelf.

  
• STEP: 19

  Now screw on the hinges to attach the shelf to the solid piece.

  
• STEP: 20

  Position and clamp down your page holders on each side. Drill a hole on the inner edge for the piece to rotate up and down.

  
• STEP: 21

  Fold the back frame and solid piece together and make a thin line up each side.

  
• STEP: 22

  Mark halfway up each side.

  
• STEP: 23

  With two little scraps measuring 1" wide, mark a middle point on the side and place glue on the bottom. 

  
• STEP: 24

  Line up the center mark on the little piece with the center mark on the board and clamp down your piece. Tip make sure the piece is about 1/4" away from the frame so the frame can easily open and close.

  
• STEP: 25

  After the glue has dried, we will drill a small hole the size of the wire thickness to go about 3/4 of the way in and not all the way through the small piece. This is for the wire to be able to move freely and fold up and down.

  
• STEP: 26

  Now using a rounded corner jig and clamp it down. Using your 1/8" round wire, find the very center and mark it, and place that at the top of the frame and make a mark where the wire needs to bend on the corners. Clamp the wire so that it's easy to bend the wire around the curved jig. Note: This will leave a long side on both sides for you to make sure you have enough slack to cut and bend the curves for the rotation part.

  
• STEP: 27

  Once you have your wire bent on the corners, lay it on the board and measure out where the wire needs cut on both ends enough to curve it into the two small rotator pieces.

  
• STEP: 28

  Make a mark on the wire where you will need to bend it again on both sides.

  
• STEP: 29

  Now bend each side inward, lay the piece on the stand again, and mark where to cut the wire. Note: remember the hole you drilled is not all the way through the lil wood piece so keep that in mind when marking where to cut.

  
• STEP: 31

  Cut the wire with wire cutters :).

  
• STEP: 32

  Give the wire a slight bend so that when you insert it into the rotator blocks it has some resistance and wants to pull inward. This way you don't have to worry about the wire coming lose.

  
• STEP: 33

  Now we are going to measure out the 3 angles we will be making router grooves for the kickstand/wire to sit into. We chose 3.

  
• STEP: 34

  Now close up your stand and mark the width of the wire to route a groove for it to lay into when you fold it up flat.

  
• STEP: 35

  Detach the back frame and clamp it on the table to rout. Note: Set up a jig for your lines to make sure they are straight. Note; we used a 1/4" round nose bit.

  
• STEP: 36

  Use the Microzip to sand the routed lines with 120 grit and smooth out any rough areas.

  
• STEP: 37

  Put the stand all back together and test out the kickstand to make sure it sits nicely in the grooves. 

  
• STEP: 38

  Use our tack cloth to wipe off any remaining dust that is left over and not visible.

  
• STEP: 39

  Now apply your "food grade" wood oil and let sit overnight. Enjoy your Cookbook Stand