About Tolman Woodworking

In 1975, Ray Tolman retired from teaching millwork and cabinetry in California and moved to Colorado. He proceeded to enjoy his hobbies of woodworking and flute playing amidst the Rocky Mountains. It wasn't long before he began to experience the problems inherent in the traditional metal music stand. Putting his design experience to use, he sketched out his ideas and began building his own music stand. His main criteria were that it must be beautiful to the eye and functional for the user.

When he began looking at antique wooden music stands, he found most to be beautiful works of art. Each had a unique history, some residing in famous museums, others still in use. Replicas of these antiques were built for musicians who loved the aesthetic look of the early styles. Modern woodworkers created artistic music stands which were placed in our finest galleries.

Beauty aside, most of these music stands were not functional. Musicians are familiar with their shortcomings. Antique music stands were incredibly top-heavy due to small pedestals. Desks were not large enough to hold standard size music. Desk angles were fixed, making viewing of the music difficult for conducting, singing or instrumental playing. Height was adjusted with peg-in-the-hole designs, seldom allowing for enough adjustments. Pegs got lost or simply wore out spindle holes, causing wobble in the desk.

The Tolman Woodworking music stands design is an effort to blend beauty in craftsmanship and wood with ease of operation. We can do this because of the advancements made in materials and tools used to craft our music stands. Carbide cutting edges and abrasives, improved glues and high tech finishing materials come together to produce a look and feel of wood that is special.

The 24" spindle connects the desk to the base and allows for height adjustments from 30" for sitting to 48" for standing. The spindle is hand turned on the lathe and hand fitted into the stem for ease of movement up and down. A threaded thumbscrew, tipped with space age rubber, holds the spindle at the desired position.

	With a 24" diameter base for stability, and a generous 15" by 19" desk, each stand can support the heaviest score or music book. Dovetail joints strengthen the lip attachment to the desk upon which music is placed. The angle of the desk can easily be adjusted from flat to vertical, by virtue of an ingenious clutch mechanism built into the support. For a long lasting finish, our music stands are sealed and finished with a water-based product. It is hand rubbed with a polish that contains no wax, silicones or solvents; a special blend of natural and organic oils.

Please click on Music Stands and take a look at our choices in woods, styles, and models. Should you have any questions, please contact us - we are as near as your email, fax or telephone.