This is a prototype batch of Valet bases and were made with a bit tighter tolerances than is necessary, or for that matter, helpful. Rather than having to fuss more than necessary to get an existing Writewell to fit, these will be paired with Writewells already set up for a good fit, in the following configuration:

• 2 Penwells on the right hand side
• Miscellany Niche
• Brass Drop Rollstop
• Reader's Kit

If you're interested in the Valet Base to fit your existing Writewell, we will be offering Valet Base only preorders in the near future. 

Like most of the tools we make, the Writewell Valet is the product of self interest. Confession time—I seldom use my Writewell for long form writing. Rather, it's the home of my daily to do notes and a place for papers, letters, and the like that need to be addressed in the short term.

In my case portability takes a back seat to permanence. It's imperative to my routine that my Writewell is where I need it to be—largely because of what the Valet base does for my daily organization. It is here I keep my essentials: keys, wallet, pocket notebooks, pocket knife, utility knife, scissors, tape measure, ruler, pens, pencils, and plenty of other miscellany that finds a home there. And the beauty of it is that what might be clutter elsewhere is marvelously hidden under my Writewell and right where I need and expect it to be, but that's not all that's marvelous about the Valet.

When designing the Valet I was determined upon two things: it needed to be compatible with any and all Writewells, and it couldn't be mechanically fastened—when it came time to make my Writewell portable, I wanted to lift it off and go with no fussing around with hinges or other contraptions.

While it took a good bit of time and a good number of prototypes, I eventually met those two criteria in a simpler way than I expected from the start. Four brass brackets do the heavy lifting, somewhat literally. On the front of the Valet are two small brackets sticking up about a quarter inch from the top of the base. These are there simply to keep the base from sliding forward when down. It's the rear brackets that make the Valet sing.

These brackets are designed to act as a gravity hinge, where the rear lip of the Writewell pivots on the top rear edge of the bracket. When lifting from the front (under the rollstop) of the Writewell, the combination of the force of the lifting action along with gravity allows the Writewell to pivot smoothly. As it isn't mechanically fastened it is possible to bump or twist it off one or both brackets, but as with so many things in life, once one gets the hang of it it's a rarity, and rather inconsequential when it does happen.

The rear brackets also have side guards to keep the Writewell from moving laterally when being lifted and closed. All points of contact with the Writewell are covered with felt pads to minimize undue wear and tear—although we're advocates of using our products to the point where they bear happy witness to faithful use—and the rear bracket is adjustable to accommodate Writewells past, present, and future.

If you weren't aware, the Writewells are largely hand made, the only exception to this being the Miscellany Niche which is routered in via a CNC router. Every other aspect is hands on, and hands on means the hands of the maker will leave prints. In this case, the prints are that Writewells can vary a bit in width. The rear brackets holding the Writewell side to side can be slightly bent inboard or outboard or shimmed with additional felt to best fit your Writewell. 

The bracket itself is adjustable in height via slots for the mounting screws on the back side. Each side is independently adjustable to ensure your Writewell sits nicely when down and pivots properly when raised. 

Last to note are the finger recesses in the sides, there for you to easily carry the Writewell when set on the Valet. Another recess on the front makes it easy to get purchase on the front edge of the Writewell when opening it as a lid on the Valet.

P.S. You may have noticed in the photos that the Reader's Kit works uninhibited with the Valet. Of course, if you tilt the Writewell enough you may just lose your book.

Specifications:

• Material: Walnut with solid brass appointments
• Included with all Valets: felt pads and anti-skid pads (uninstalled) for the bottom.
• External size: 16"x 12"x 2.5" (406 mm x 304 mm x 63 mm)
  
• Internal size: 14.375"x 10.25"x 2" (365 mm x 260 mm x 50 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 3 lb. 5 oz.
• Proudly designed, manufactured, and assembled in So. Dakota – USA