Anyone try adding a keyboard drawer?

[megashock5]

I've been considering trying to add a keyboard drawer that would mount under the monitor shelf so you could slide it out when the front door was open.

I haven't given it more than just an initial thought, but before I got too far I was wondering if anyone has done this and how they did it.

thanks!

[namedos]

I considered it and I don't think it would be that tough to add one.  However, when I found out that the Ultimate Arcade II plans were on the CD and it already included a keyboard drawer I went that direction.  I also didn't like the look of the hinged door on the front.  The trade off is a two piece side but then it will be easier to move around during construction.  Good luck!

[bioart]

I built a UAII, the keyboard drawer is really, really useful...  I don't like the hinge as much, but I can live with it

Art

[megashock5]

Well, I bought side-mount drawer rails at Home Depot. I'm going to try to make a slide-out shelf that's the width of the inside of the cab so I could hold a keyboard and mouse. I'll have to open the front to slide it out, but I don't anticipate having to use it that much (just don't know where else it could go).

I'll post pics if/when I get it working.

[tribalredfox]

A lot depends on how often you'll use the keyboard tray.  I use mine a lot so it doesn't have a cover over it, it isn't hidden, etc.  Actually, it's used enough that I opted for the $16 heavy-duty keyboard tray that's capable of holding up to 50 pounds.

If you rarely use it then I've seen people simply lay a mini keyboard inside the control panel.  If you have an mouse/trackball hack then that's obviously the mouse.

If you want a keyboard tray that is hidden you can use a couple hinges and another piece of wood to cover the opening made.  The big issue would be that the hinged area would probably lay flat with the tray when opened and wouldn't be capable of holding a lot of weight.

If you never, ever use the keyboard but want the tray then you can just have a piece of wood that you can pull off.  It'd sit flush with probably the bottom of the control panel, the top of the front panel, and the sides and would have a knob or something to that effect to pull it off.  On the downside, with the tray open there will be a piece of wood just laying on the ground somewhere.

Hope some of this helps.

[mccoy178]

I decided to go with a wireless keyboard.  It has been wonderful in its application.  I don't need it except for administrative purposes, and I sit it between the monitor and the front of my controls.

[AtomSmasher]

I'm just starting to build my cabinet and decided to add a keyboard tray.  All I'm going to do is cut off the top part of the coin door and put hinges and a latch on it so the keyboard stays well hidden but is still easily accessable.  Theres a few possible problems I may have that might make me change my mind though.  First, the keyboard might be too low, the top of the coin door doesnt look too high from the pics and a keyboard thats only as high as my knees wont be too helpful. Second, it might make inside of the cabinet too short to hold my pc case.  I'll wait until after I built the majority of my cabinet before I make any final decisions.

[Scott84]

How much does a keyboard drawer hinges go for anyways? Curious.

[BlinKY1337]

I added one in my cabinet kinda difficult to install because it wasnt designed for how i mounted it but in the end it turned out good and is completley hidden

[ChicagoDave]

I added a keyboard drawer and it worked out pretty well.  The main thing to watch out for is the the tray door.  It was a little tricky making sure that the it did not interfere with pulling out the tray.  I had it flip down, and it worked out ok.

[Stingray]

I decided to go with a wireless keyboard.  It has been wonderful in its application.  I don't need it except for administrative purposes, and I sit it between the monitor and the front of my controls.

Wireless keyboards are the way to go. Mine tucks away inside the coin door when not in use, which is most of the time.

-S