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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 22:33:56

Title: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 22:33:56
So even though I already kind of knew this problem existed, I have a very small amount of desk space which is being hogged by an unnecessarily bulky and protruding monitor base:

(http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt337/abdulmuhsee/1-1.jpg?t=1377314610)

While researching the two boards I'm primarily interested in, namely the Matias Mini Quiet Pro and the Unicomp Classic 101, I noticed that my ALPS board has a convenient "notch" for guiding the cord that has nullified the monitor problem.  The notch simply rests atop the lip of the monitor base and holds it in place:

(http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt337/abdulmuhsee/2-1.jpg?t=1377314623)

The two aforementioned boards, however, have bottoms that are a featureless terrain: completely smooth with nothing to "hook" onto the monitor base, and to top it off, the rubber feet aren't particularly big on either, so they would probably be sliding like crazy.  Keyboard feet do not reach the desk when extended, so any keyboard would be propped up by the monitor.

Computer monitors aren't cheap, unless you're buying a hideously damaged one, and a new desk isn't an option either, so am I essentially stuck with my ALPS board forever now, or is there a solution that does not involve double-sided tape?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: inteli722 on Fri, 23 August 2013, 22:37:10
Wall mount the monitor?
Hack the base to give you more room edge to wall while sacrificing some left to right space?

(http://static.tumblr.com/413401d56942d285b89b4e9642e3143e/kpdna6i/Dikmgxvef/tumblr_static_gman.jpg)
Unforeseen Consequences, you say?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: Game Theory on Fri, 23 August 2013, 22:38:02
In terms of cable routing at least some Realforce boards have cable routing similar to your ALPS.  Though as inteli722 said wall mounting the Dell? monitor would help.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 22:58:37
My wife would kill me if I started drilling holes into the wall, and I don't think there are any that fit the backplate of my monitor, having looked for something like that awhile back.

Would, say, getting a bunch of rubber feet and attempting to make it super slip resistant on the bottom edge work?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: RickyJ on Fri, 23 August 2013, 23:39:01
Just get a desk-mounted arm, drill into the desk instead!  There are some that clamp onto the edge of the desk too, if there's room for it.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: Techno Trousers on Fri, 23 August 2013, 23:39:03
Something like this wall mount (http://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-Articulating-Extension-Post-installation-ML531B/dp/B000WYVBR0) should be pretty close to universal--you just need to check the spacing of the existing mounting screw positions on the back of the monitor to be sure. Two lag screws on the wall side will hold it nicely (make sure they are in a stud). That leaves just two small drywall holes to patch if and when you move it. Not a big deal, really. To me it would be a much better solution than trying to find a compromise keyboard for a tiny amount of space like that, and as a bonus you'd be able to position the monitor much more precisely for your viewing angle and height.

Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 23:55:29
The desk-mounted arm is a pretty good idea, but my monitor doesn't actually have any kind of screw in the back; it attaches to a specific Dell mount that looks like this, which is only offered on Dell stands:

(http://www.primedistributing.com/images/products/detail/Dell17inMonitorStand1704FP_DSCF0631.1.JPG)
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:10:30
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 23:55:29
The desk-mounted arm is a pretty good idea, but my monitor doesn't actually have any kind of screw in the back; it attaches to a specific Dell mount that looks like this, which is only offered on Dell stands:

Show Image
(http://www.primedistributing.com/images/products/detail/Dell17inMonitorStand1704FP_DSCF0631.1.JPG)


(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/4d6161fd.gif)

take those 4 screws off.  attach vesa to that silver plate..

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_099_.gif)
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: CalmB4tehPwn on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:19:48
Okay, so what about building a little stand for the monitor?

3 small pieces of wood, sits on your desk, monitor sits on the stand, keyboard (and your hands) go under the stand.

Here, I make you a thing
(http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l500/Calmb4tehpwn/Untitled-3.png)

Very very crude thing.

Would thing work?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:21:53
Quote from: CalmB4tehPwn on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:19:48
Okay, so what about building a little stand for the monitor?

3 small pieces of wood, sits on your desk, monitor sits on the stand, keyboard (and your hands) go under the stand.

Here, I make you a thing
Show Image
(http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l500/Calmb4tehpwn/Untitled-3.png)


Very very crude thing.

Would thing work?

no you don't want this..

just buy a swivel desk mount, and do the thing I said.

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/ac0d5cff.gif)
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:28:04
Quote from: CalmB4tehPwn on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:19:48
Would thing work?

Perhaps, o mocking one.  It's definitely been put on the list of solutions, but in order for the stand to accommodate the monitor, it would cover most of the keyboard due to the very short desk its on and would have to be fairly high to not hit my knuckles while typing.

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:10:30
Show Image
(http://www.primedistributing.com/images/products/detail/Dell17inMonitorStand1704FP_DSCF0631.1.JPG)


(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/4d6161fd.gif)

take those 4 screws off.  attach vesa to that silver plate..

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_099_.gif)
[/quote]

Wait, I'm starting to see what you mean.  I have to actually take off the monitor again to see if I can unscrew the plate, but yeah, you're saying I can just screw that mounting plate onto the desk mount.

Any good desk mount to recommend?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: calavera on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:29:59
I'm pretty sure all Dell monitors support standard VESA mounts so there are holes for the VESA screws. I'd just buy a desk arm stand for it.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:31:55
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:28:04
Quote from: CalmB4tehPwn on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:19:48
Would thing work?

Perhaps, o mocking one.  It's definitely been put on the list of solutions, but in order for the stand to accommodate the monitor, it would cover most of the keyboard due to the very short desk its on and would have to be fairly high to not hit my knuckles while typing.

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:10:30
Show Image
(http://www.primedistributing.com/images/products/detail/Dell17inMonitorStand1704FP_DSCF0631.1.JPG)


Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/4d6161fd.gif)


take those 4 screws off.  attach vesa to that silver plate..

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_099_.gif)


Wait, I'm starting to see what you mean.  I have to actually take off the monitor again to see if I can unscrew the plate, but yeah, you're saying I can just screw that mounting plate onto the desk mount.

Any good desk mount to recommend?
[/quote]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082808&p_id=6421&seq=1&format=2

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_101_.gif)
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:33:21
Quote from: calavera on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:29:59
I'm pretty sure all Dell monitors support standard VESA mounts so there are holes for the VESA screws. I'd just buy a desk arm stand for it.

Or better yet, I wouldn't even need a desk arm if I got a VESA stand with a very flat base that wouldn't touch the keyboard; to ebay I go!
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:36:14
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:33:21
Quote from: calavera on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:29:59
I'm pretty sure all Dell monitors support standard VESA mounts so there are holes for the VESA screws. I'd just buy a desk arm stand for it.

Or better yet, I wouldn't even need a desk arm if I got a VESA stand with a very flat base that wouldn't touch the keyboard; to ebay I go!

desk stand wastes space.. and honestly at $23, how could you get much cheaper than that.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:41:44
Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:36:14
desk stand wastes space.. and honestly at $23, how could you get much cheaper than that.

I may very well get that; I'm just finagling it with my eyes to figure out if I could actually get the monitor centered from where I'd need to mount it while still having it far enough back.

Edit: Damn, this desk only has 1 1/4" of space on the outside after the fringe, and the desk mounts need, like, 3" of space there.

There is a stud directly behind the monitor, at least according to the electronic stud finder, and something like this seems relatively non-destructive:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2-Way-Adjustable-Tilt-Swivel-Wall-Mount-Bracket-for-LCD-LED-Vesa-75-100-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$(KGrHqIOKk!E6z58rT8VBPyQ30ITow~~60_3.JPG)

Is it really just a matter of putting two screws into the wall?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 01:37:16
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:41:44
Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:36:14
desk stand wastes space.. and honestly at $23, how could you get much cheaper than that.

I may very well get that; I'm just finagling it with my eyes to figure out if I could actually get the monitor centered from where I'd need to mount it while still having it far enough back.

Edit: Damn, this desk only has 1 1/4" of space on the outside after the fringe, and the desk mounts need, like, 3" of space there.

There is a stud directly behind the monitor, at least according to the electronic stud finder, and something like this seems relatively non-destructive:

Show Image
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2-Way-Adjustable-Tilt-Swivel-Wall-Mount-Bracket-for-LCD-LED-Vesa-75-100-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$(KGrHqIOKk!E6z58rT8VBPyQ30ITow~~60_3.JPG)


Is it really just a matter of putting two screws into the wall?

Um..

yea, if you have a stud wall mount is good too.

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/8dcf9699.gif)
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 01:57:24
Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 01:37:16
Um..

yea, if you have a stud wall mount is good too.

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/8dcf9699.gif)


?

The area behind my monitor is a stud, so screwing it in there, right?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 02:00:38
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 01:57:24
Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 01:37:16
Um..

yea, if you have a stud wall mount is good too.

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/8dcf9699.gif)


?

The area behind my monitor is a stud, so screwing it in there, right?

Yea, i needed a comma in my previous post.

it goes,  Stud - drywall - mount.

Use LONG wood screws if you're going to do this.

The included drywall kits usually suck..
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 24 August 2013, 03:38:47
You could get a wrist rest made that underneath is contoured to fit around the monitor base, and your keyboard would be able to sit above the protruding monitor base.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: berserkfan on Sat, 24 August 2013, 06:27:56
For a buck or two you can buy anti-slip rubber/plastic/silicon feet and stick them to your keyboard bottoms. These will rest nicely against the bottom of the monitor. This is an easy solution, problem is only that I don't know the retail optinos where you live.

Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 22:58:37
My wife would kill me if I started drilling holes into the wall, and I don't think there are any that fit the backplate of my monitor, having looked for something like that awhile back.

Would, say, getting a bunch of rubber feet and attempting to make it super slip resistant on the bottom edge work?
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: Polymer on Sat, 24 August 2013, 08:57:19
Just as people were saying...deskmounted arm for your monitor.  Dells support VESA standard you just have to figure out how your monitor is done (and it sounds like people have already pointed you in the right direction.

This will get you a better height for your monitor (if it isn't ideal already) and it'll save you a TON of desk space..

Even for people that don't have the space restriction you do, mounting arms are so much better than using desk stand....

It is literally like going from Full size Keyboard to TKL as far as a space revelation..
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: jameslr on Sat, 24 August 2013, 12:16:54
Keyboard drawer? Does the keyboard have to be on the desk??
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: daerid on Sat, 24 August 2013, 12:26:46
Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 24 August 2013, 00:36:14
desk stand wastes space.. and honestly at $23, how could you get much cheaper than that.

Generally, but sometimes they're necessary. I have a convertible sit/stand desk, so wall mounting isn't really viable in that situation.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 17:39:51
Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 24 August 2013, 03:38:47
You could get a wrist rest made that underneath is contoured to fit around the monitor base, and your keyboard would be able to sit above the protruding monitor base.

That's a pretty good idea too, if there was a rest that raised the entire level of the desk around the stand, but that's something I'd have to literally have here at the house before I knew if it would work or not.

Quote from: berserkfan on Sat, 24 August 2013, 06:27:56
For a buck or two you can buy anti-slip rubber/plastic/silicon feet and stick them to your keyboard bottoms. These will rest nicely against the bottom of the monitor. This is an easy solution, problem is only that I don't know the retail optinos where you live.

Using tape or rubber would be the "redneck keyboard" route that I'll probably use as a last resort.

Quote from: jameslr on Sat, 24 August 2013, 12:16:54
Keyboard drawer? Does the keyboard have to be on the desk??

Any links for what you have in mind?

Quote from: Polymer on Sat, 24 August 2013, 08:57:19
Just as people were saying...deskmounted arm for your monitor.  Dells support VESA standard you just have to figure out how your monitor is done (and it sounds like people have already pointed you in the right direction.

This will get you a better height for your monitor (if it isn't ideal already) and it'll save you a TON of desk space..

Even for people that don't have the space restriction you do, mounting arms are so much better than using desk stand....

It is literally like going from Full size Keyboard to TKL as far as a space revelation..

A desk mount swivel arm actually won't clamp to my desk securely, since there's barely over an inch of lip before a fringe of vertical wood.  The clamps need at least three inches.

I'm fairly certain, at this point, that I'm going to try the wall mount since I was fortunate enough to have a stud where the monitor would theoretically be mounted.  I'd have to put it in when the wife was away since she'd undoubtedly walk in at the sound of power tools, but once the monitor is on the wall, I doubt she'd even notice.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 24 August 2013, 18:13:09
Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 24 August 2013, 03:38:47
You could get a wrist rest made that underneath is contoured to fit around the monitor base, and your keyboard would be able to sit above the protruding monitor base.

There are a few GH members who re wizards with wood :)
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 24 August 2013, 19:55:30
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 23:55:29
The desk-mounted arm is a pretty good idea, but my monitor doesn't actually have any kind of screw in the back; it attaches to a specific Dell mount that looks like this, which is only offered on Dell stands:
Are the screws in a square, 75 mm between centres? In that case, they would constitute a VESA mount, which would mean that you could change the monitor stand.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: PhineasRex on Sun, 25 August 2013, 13:51:39
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Fri, 23 August 2013, 23:55:29
The desk-mounted arm is a pretty good idea, but my monitor doesn't actually have any kind of screw in the back; it attaches to a specific Dell mount that looks like this, which is only offered on Dell stands:

Show Image
(http://www.primedistributing.com/images/products/detail/Dell17inMonitorStand1704FP_DSCF0631.1.JPG)


I have a Dell monitor with the same stand. Where the stand connects there are four screw hole to attach a VESA mount to. You can find a nice clamped monitor stand that connects to it for ~$30.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: abdulmuhsee on Sun, 25 August 2013, 15:36:13
Quote from: PhineasRex on Sun, 25 August 2013, 13:51:39
I have a Dell monitor with the same stand. Where the stand connects there are four screw hole to attach a VESA mount to. You can find a nice clamped monitor stand that connects to it for ~$30.

Thanks for the VESA confirmation. 

If by clamped, you mean clamped to the desk, then that won't work with mine due to the narrow lip.
Title: Re: Unforseen Space Issue... (pics)
Post by: jameslr on Mon, 26 August 2013, 09:35:45
Quote from: abdulmuhsee on Sat, 24 August 2013, 17:39:51
Quote from: jameslr on Sat, 24 August 2013, 12:16:54
Keyboard drawer? Does the keyboard have to be on the desk??

Any links for what you have in mind?

http://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Office-Underdesk-Keyboard-9140303/dp/B0002LD0ZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377527691&sr=8-1&keywords=keyboard+drawer