Keep Your Recipe in One Spot - DIY Tablet Cookbook Stand

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Inside: Make this easy Scrap Wood Tablet Cookbook Stand that makes following recipes a breeze.

I look up a recipe on my tablet and start making dinner. I put my tablet down and gather the ingredients.

Then This Happens

I juggle measuring spoons, oregano and olive oil. Hhmm was it 1 tablespoon or 1 teaspoon. I search for my tablet. I thought I left it next to the stove. Maybe it’s by the sink, in the catbox…wait I don’t own a cat 🙀..

This hide and seek fiasco is a nightly event as I attempt to get dinner on the table.

So to end this cat and mouse chase I made this tablet, cookbook stand out of scrap wood.

Now I know at all times where to find my recipe in the midst of cooking.

*This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
*Before you get started make sure you have your Safety Gear. For this project, I recommend safety goggles, ear protection and a P100 mask.

Here is how you can build one.

TOOLS FOR SCRAP WOOD TABLET COOKBOOK STAND

Measuring tape
Pencil
Saw – I use a Rigid Table Saw
Miter saw
Pin nailer – I use this Ryobi Pin Nailer
Sander or sandpaper
Old T-shirt, rag or brush for applying stain

SUPPLIES FOR SCRAP WOOD TABLET COOKBOOK STAND

I used a piece of 1/2 inch scrap plywood to build the holder and a 1 x 2 for the legs. You can use plywood of various widths (1/2″ or 3/4″) or other 3/4 inch thick wood pieces such as a 1 x 8, 1 x 10, 1 x 12, etc. The amount of wood needed depends on the size of your project.

Plywood, 3/4″ thick wood (enough to make your desired size)
1 inch 23 gauge pin nails
Wood glue
Wood stain – I used Minwax Dark Walnut

CUTS FOR SCRAP WOOD TABLET COOKBOOK STAND

My stand measures 10 3/8 x 10 3/8 inches. Cut your wood to your sizing preferences or with what scrap wood you have available.

1 – 1/2 inch plywood at 10 3/8 x 10 3/8 inches (back of stand)
1 – 1/2 inch plywood at 1 1/8 inches (ledge)
1 – 1/2 inch plywood at 1 1/4 inches (lip)
2 – 1 x 2 cut at a 37-degree angle on one end cut to 4 1/2 inches length on the long end (legs). Keep in mind the length of your legs may vary base on the length of the back of your stand.

Here’s what my cuts looked like.

* If I did this project over again I would have cut a bigger angle to around 55 degrees making the stand more upright. This would bring the stand closer to the wall and therefore take up less space on my counter.

STEPS TO MAKE SCRAP WOOD TABLET COOKBOOK STAND

Step 1) After you make your cuts attach the legs. On the back of the stand I drew a horizontal line to mark center where the top edge of the legs will go. Then I marked and drew vertical lines on the front and the back, marking where the edge of the legs will go. This makes it easier to drive the nails in from the front. Apply wood glue to the mitered legs then attach the legs using 1-inch 23G pin nails.

Step 2) Attach the ledge to the bottom back of the stand. Apply wood glue to the edge of the ledge piece, then from the back of the stand drive in 1-inch 23G pin nails along the bottom.

Step 3) Attach the lip to the ledge. Apply wood glue to the edge of the ledge piece. Attach the lip and drive in 1-inch 23G from the front.

Step 4) Sand and stain. I used Minwax Dark Walnut. I applied it with a t-shirt, let it sit for several seconds then wiped it off.

I had issues with random glue spots preventing the stain from fully soaking into the wood. So I had to resand it and restain it again. Note to self to not be so sloppy with the glue next time. When the stain dried, I lightly sanded the stand to give it a worn look.

Place it in your chosen spot on your kitchen counter and enjoy making your next recipe.