Arts and Crafts Book Stand

In this episode of DIY Wood Works, host David Marks shows how to build an arts-and-crafts styled book-stand of solid walnut using only hand-tools. The distinctive curved sides of the stand are made by edge-gluing pieces of walnut stock. The top and shelf are joined to the sides with mortise and loose-tenon joinery, and the top is secured with screws. Beveled ebony caps conceal the screws, and a shaped ebony lip serves to support books displayed on the angled top. The stand is made from two varieties of walnut. The book-matched top of claro walnut has a soft, warm character, while the sides of Peruvian walnut provide a dark, rich contrast.