DIY monitor lift?

[quizz_kid]

Hi guys.

I'm planning to build a desk with a built in stealth monitor lift, James Bond style.


The basic idea is to keep the monitor hidden when not in use.



I'm looking for a DIY solution here I think, cause I don't think I could pull out more than say £150. Is this even possible?

Ideas are very appreciated!

Another idea is of course to find a ready-made lift and try to get sponsored...

//Quizz

[CoryBee]

May I ask what is the application?

[quizz_kid]

It's for a desk/workbench project I'm planning to start building when Revelation's finished.

[BadMouth]

Someone had a jukebox project with a screen that popped up like that, but I can't find it now.
They were using a single linear actuator with guide rails to keep it straight.
http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?keyword=EALD&catname=electric&PAGELEN=20&PageNo=2

Depending on how heavy the whole apparatus is, you might get away with a power window setup:
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=5-1707-R&catname=electric
It would be cheaper and work faster than a linear actuator.
Looks like that one only travels less than a foot, so you'd have to use pulleys to get more travel.
Or since it doesn't have any limit switches, you could rebuild the thing to make it longer.

[Brian74]

Im looking to do the same thing, but with a 60" dlp tv. I also need to build something to drop my projector out of the ceiling.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[Rick]

I love stuff like this. I'm watching this with anticipation. Allow me to throw in my AJ approved "Subscribed!"

[ark_ader]

I was looking at this idea as I have a 5 monitor setup (now three) and I wanted the displays to emerge like those end of bed TV cabinets.

The first problem was weight, but with a single monitor you could get away with using a hand screwdriver/drill motor. 

If you have a workbench how about a sunken monitor into the desk with a perspex shield, and use a mirror.   

[quizz_kid]

Thanks for the tips guys. The mirror idea is interesting, but no 

Found a cheap linear actuator, could it work with some mount modifications, say guide railing maybe?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-STROKE-665-LBS-24-VOLTS-DC-LINEAR-ACTUATOR-5-1785-/380454707164?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5894de1fdc

[BadMouth]

Thanks for the tips guys. The mirror idea is interesting, but no 

Found a cheap linear actuator, could it work with some mount modifications, say guide railing maybe?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-STROKE-665-LBS-24-VOLTS-DC-LINEAR-ACTUATOR-5-1785-/380454707164?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5894de1fdc

Looks like it will work, but keep in mind that it only moves .3"/sec
That means you're looking at a full minute of listening to gears grinding for full extension.
You don't need one to lift 665lbs, but it's not easy to find weaker/faster ones.
It's nice that this one has built-in limit switches.

I think the one in my cab (which rotates the monitor) was something like 1.5"/sec
It was from Surplus Center, but they discontinued that model. 

[quizz_kid]

Thanks for the tips guys. The mirror idea is interesting, but no 

Found a cheap linear actuator, could it work with some mount modifications, say guide railing maybe?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-STROKE-665-LBS-24-VOLTS-DC-LINEAR-ACTUATOR-5-1785-/380454707164?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5894de1fdc

Looks like it will work, but keep in mind that it only moves .3"/sec
That means you're looking at a full minute of listening to gears grinding for full extension.
You don't need one to lift 665lbs, but it's not easy to find weaker/faster ones.
It's nice that this one has built-in limit switches.

I think the one in my cab (which rotates the monitor) was something like 1.5"/sec
It was from Surplus Center, but they discontinued that model. 

A minute? Well, the waiting is the funniest part, don't we think 

Also, do I need a control box to operate the actuator, or can I make the controller switches myself? And 1min of pushing a button is a lot, can I have non-momentary switches maybe?

I still don't know how to make a guide rail though. Maybe I'll just buy the actuator and take it from there...

[BadMouth]

A minute? Well, the waiting is the funniest part, don't we think  Seriously, if the switches are momentary then 1 min is a lot of pushing. Can you make them non-momentary maybe?

This has built in limit switches.  You can wire up a plain old 3-way toggle switch to control it.
Wire the actuator to the middle two contacts, wire the top two and bottom two to your power source, but make one reversed.

[quizz_kid]

A minute? Well, the waiting is the funniest part, don't we think  Seriously, if the switches are momentary then 1 min is a lot of pushing. Can you make them non-momentary maybe?

This has built in limit switches.  You can wire up a plain old 3-way toggle switch to control it.
Wire the actuator to the middle two contacts, wire the top two and bottom two to your power source, but make one reversed.

Thanks, that's good news friend! Appreciate the help, a lot!

[DaOld Man]

OK, you have DaOld Mans attention.

[quizz_kid]

OK, you have DaOld Mans attention.

DaOld attention is always good