tool box with keyboard tray that slides out?

[shannonw]

Any such thing or something someone has rigged? I'm not a tech but i know alot of you guys put your laptop or keyboards on top. I'm looking for something that will slide out and lock (and i'd put a keyboard mouse there) so I can have a drafting chair there I can pull up when need be and my knees will be under the keyboard like a normal desk.

Considering using top drawer of my existing box but it's a bit wobbly since it's ball bearing (older too) and i'd have to clamp it or something. Maybe switching to a friction slider on that on though would work.

Just curious if anyone has rigged something up or there's some boxes out there that have this by default.

I suppose there's some trays that sit on top too which i'm gonna google for but would really be slick if it could pull out. Or do any new boxes comes with such a thing built in?

 

[John in OH]

.......

Just curious if anyone has rigged something up or there's some boxes out there that have this by default.

I suppose there's some trays that sit on top too which i'm gonna google for but would really be slick if it could pull out. Or do any new boxes comes with such a thing built in?

You might want to check out the Masterforce top chests at Menards. I don't know that all of their top chests have a pull-out stainless steel shelf, but some models do. Their boxes are now available in a choice of three or four colors so you don't have to settle for green.



I also like the drawer configuration of the 41" top chest and the "open" style of the top front when the lid is open.

 

[OldNeons]

+1 on the master force if you are ok with an import box. My father in law has the box pictured above with large slide out shelf. It is large and solid. My dad has a cool rounded corner box from menards, no shelf but has the open profile top which is nice.

 

[PT Doc]

Montezuma crossover rollers have something similar.

 

[Bull]

The industrial box companies make computer carts for garages. Might stumble across one used.

 

[Drew_flux]

Pull out one of your thin draws and flip it over. the bottom of a draw would make a work surface.
see here but in reverse.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186109

 

[shannonw]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look at these. My home office space I removed my desk for a kids play area, I'm also tight on garage space so was looking to have the box do double duty. I have an older matco with a thin drawer up top, perfect for a rollout keyboard but it's too wobbly I may be able to rig something up..my thought was when i wanted to stand i'd use the laptop keyboard, and to sit pull up a drafting chair and slide out the drawer with the wireless keyboard. But I may think of some other ideas, or karts...just wanted to make sure there was nothing obvious out there I may be missing =)

 

[onewaydave]

I have the Masterforce box. For me the slide out table is a big waste. I never use it. As said many times any flat surface in a shop is a magnet for things to be set on. But the main reason I don't like it is that when in use one cannot access the 2-3 drawers below it. If you want a desk, get a desk. Just my experience.

Dave.

 

[shannonw]

No room for a desk unfortunately without talking up tool space. But I think i have it figured out, a drafting chair is the correct height and some come in high and low versions. fastest is I can either make a slide out shelf that sits on top the box or buy one. I entertained briefly trying to use an existing drawer (as my top ones are perfect height for a keyboard to sit in)...but too wobbly and no way to lock it open. I'd mount the lcd on the wall. So when working i'd pull up the draft chair, when wanted a break to stand or during off hours i'd move the chair out of the way of the toolbox drawers.

Seems simple enough was just curious if any one really made such a contraption. But this should work well, i just wasn't sure of draft chair heights and was able to pull up specs on the web.

 

[napalmv8]

Check rackmount terminals
Something like this: http://www.rackmountmart.com/rmLCD/sc1u17-01.htm
I suppose the used one should be cheap (about 20-100 dollars) but you will get all you need in single unit: display, keyboard and mouse and it is possible to install it in place of one drawer of tool cabinet.

 

[Higgins]

Here is a thoght, look at going wireless!

http://www.frys.com/product/5892883?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

the new wirless keyboards are really slim and can be stored anywhere!

I have a laptop connected to a large screen TV in the garage E/W a remote keyboard. Can sit in the car and run engine diagnostic and watch the TV screen!

 

[shannonw]

Yeah i thought about the rack mount draw or switching out the sliders. But long story short i worked out there for a day and decided to rearrange things so that i'd build a work bench along an entire wall and in that space have a place i could roll a chair up under. Seemed simpler in the long run..