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Building a woody thing
Drez
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I’m looking for advice on how to go about planning a tiny little construction project for myself.
My skill and knowhow here is flat zero. What I’m trying to do is to secure a flush piece of wood to the top of my existing mouse pad area of a laptop “cart” to expand the mouse area. I’m not actually looking for solutions (though I won’t frown on suggestions) but more I’m looking for advice on how I should map this out. It seems like a silly little project but I want to do this right.
Some context:
- Due to the fact that I use my 4KTV as my main monitor, I use a mobile laptop desk for my keyboard and mouse. The keyboard just barely fits and I don’t use a mousepad but the mouse works fine on the small bit of wood attached to the main piece of wood. It’s small though.
- I recently bought the Logitech Wireless G502 and the accompanying PowrrPlay wireless inductive charging mouse pad which is gigantic and way too large for my laptop mouse area as-is.
- I am not handy.
My father advised I just put another piece of wood on top of the existing piece of wood, large enough to secure the mouse pad. I think that’s a good, jury-rigged solution. I have the tools I would need except maybe a saw. Just trying to figure out the best way to plan this out.
I may want to do similar other mini-projects in the future too.
My skill and knowhow here is flat zero. What I’m trying to do is to secure a flush piece of wood to the top of my existing mouse pad area of a laptop “cart” to expand the mouse area. I’m not actually looking for solutions (though I won’t frown on suggestions) but more I’m looking for advice on how I should map this out. It seems like a silly little project but I want to do this right.
Some context:
- Due to the fact that I use my 4KTV as my main monitor, I use a mobile laptop desk for my keyboard and mouse. The keyboard just barely fits and I don’t use a mousepad but the mouse works fine on the small bit of wood attached to the main piece of wood. It’s small though.
- I recently bought the Logitech Wireless G502 and the accompanying PowrrPlay wireless inductive charging mouse pad which is gigantic and way too large for my laptop mouse area as-is.
- I am not handy.
My father advised I just put another piece of wood on top of the existing piece of wood, large enough to secure the mouse pad. I think that’s a good, jury-rigged solution. I have the tools I would need except maybe a saw. Just trying to figure out the best way to plan this out.
I may want to do similar other mini-projects in the future too.
Switch: SW-7690-2320-9238Steam/PSN/Xbox: Drezdar
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Are you near an ikea?
I’m in Jersey City/NYC. I think there’s an IKEA around somewhere.
first, measure the existing space and decide how much larger a platform you want, and how you want to orient it. If you don't already have the wood you can go to lowe's/home depot/whatever and have them cut a piece to spec (common pine is cheap/light and probably fine for what you want)
attaching it probably just means four wood screws (assuming the existing platform is substantial enough to screw into), a bit of wood putty to cover the tops, and some sort of finish coat. The finish isn't strictly necessary but it'll look a bit nicer and helps prevent catching slivers if you rub your arm across it
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
If wood definitely come up through bottom with proper sized screws.
The closest ikea in nj is Paramus or Newark, though FYI Paramus ikea is closed on Sundays for blue laws.
Any chance you have a pic of desk. I'm picturing one of those cushion ones but probably not what you have
Ikea "hacking" is generally how I get around some of my lack of power tools and apartment living, so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
Thanks!
So this is the exact item:
My original idea was to screw in another piece of wood on top of the, er, "mouse annex" that will provide enough stability and surface area to support my new, giant mouse pad, and it seems like a lot of people agree this is a good idea.
I have a new drill, haven't used it yet.
I think it's probably simplest and quickest to go to Home Depot for the wood and screws. Will Home Depot cut me a custom block of wood? I don't need too much. Dimensions of the mat, according to Amazon: 12.6" x 0.4" x 10.8".
I still want a permanent solution, though.
I'll look into the masonite. Thanks!
Home Depot should be able to cut a piece for you, though you may have to pay for a larger board (still not expensive.)
You could also probably just remove the current platform and screw straight into the arm; likely more stable that way
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
Odd idea -
Buy a cafeteria tray and use some glue.
They're light, durable, water safe and lightly textured so the pad wont slide around. If you look around you can probably find one that fits the dimensions.
Whatever solution you go with, consider the edges. Especially since it's the mouse area, a nasty ragged edge, or even just a moderatly sharp corner will be annoying.
And the cheapest of desks is going to be better than whatever you come up with, given your self-proclaimed lack of skill.
The bottom line is, the laptop thing I have is pretty much perfect except being slightly too small.
edit: I do photography and my bedroom, which is also my computer room, also doubles (triples?) as my photo studio. I need to be able to quickly move all of my equipment out of the way or even out into the other room to maximize open space.
I might suggest going with something like this instead of wood, due to the aforementioned splinters and hard edges on wood.
https://www.amazon.com/SOURCEONE-ORG-Molecular-Polyethylene-Available-Thickness/dp/B0789P278T/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=pvc+board&qid=1567464060&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWjJNVU1UQVA0UFoxJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODcwOTcwM0JMS1NNMzhBMkhKOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDczMDg4MkpYMjQ1T1BKQ0g0VyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1
I’ll check that link out as well as everyone else’s advice tomorrow morning. Thanks everyone!
edit: Hmm I think the board in that link may be perfect. 0.6 of an inch short isn’t going to matter, I don’t think. It’s pretty stable right now. I may go for that. Thanks!
I would glue it then? What kind of glue?
an alternative would be a big ass cutting board. They can be pretty cheap, but that is a decent price.
an epoxy or something could work. I would sand the desk top to rough it up and pick up a couple of clamps or something to really squeeze it down
Probably cheaper than other DIY solutions, tbh.
I bought the Logitech Wireless G502 and the accompanying PowerPlay wireless inductive charging mouse pad.
The setup was $250 so...yeah. This is the specific setup I was going for. The mouse pad charges the mouse as you use it, so it's necessary for the setup. Thanks, though.
Yeah, I would probably buy an epoxy kit for doing it. A quick search shows gorilla glue makes one you can get for $5. If you do go epoxy, wear gloves while working with it!
Seconding the suggestion for double sided tape. Something like 3M mounting tape.
Epoxy isn't glue and is fine on plastics.
I would suggest not doing 3m mounting tape for what I am assuming is intended as a permanent fixture that will have varying weight's and pressures on edges and corners for it's lifetime.
Yeah, what spool suggested is probably better, tho.
I mean, I literally work at a company that glues plastic together. I’m pretty familiar with epoxy’s, cyanoacrylates, polyurethanes, etc.
We work a lot with PE and PP and in order to get any real strength, with any kind of adhesive, we have to flame or plasma treat the surface.
The frame is definitely the best bet but also the most labor intensive, and requiring the most skill.