Keyboard IN the drawer, not a "keyboard drawer"

Making some drawers for a small desk. I figured having keyboard in one of the drawers would be very useful, but I wanted the drawer to also be usable as a drawer, so its a drawer with a keyboard in it.

[@comaneanumugurel998]

"The anti-pullout is especially good for kids"

[@canngo123]

The internet always delivers. Totally missed that.

[@TH-bj1pb]

​@@canngo123it was in deep

[@custos3249]

1 out of 10, would not test again

[@nathanieljames7462]

I knew I wasn't the only one who caught that!! 🤣

[@PerMortensen]

Are we still doing phrasing?

[@MiketheBassMan]

Love the little rockers to retain the drawers. Thanks for the good ideas, as always!

[@Petertronic]

They rock!

[@lordnycon2186]

yep another video in the "good ideas"-playlist

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Always love how you are more than willing to just "fudge" something rather than start all over again. I'm an old "fudger" from way back. (pushing 80 so got a lot of Fudging behind me. ) thanks for sharing your "Fudges" ECF

[@Lumpio2]

I love the message you left on the shim for when someone eventually takes the desk apart and wonders what on earth the point of the shim was

[@MadHatter764]

I liked the part where he mills a piece of firewood to get the drawer slides...these projects I love more than the large builds because of how random and fun they are, along with the gravity drop rockers just added on the fly.

[@markm0000]

I wonder what he uses to lubricate all this wooden stuff that moves? It’s got to bind up every once in a while.

[@Justchuck69]

@@markm0000 Looks like he just sanded the wood to a fine texture and left quite a bit of slack ( like a 1/16 of an inch ) on it to reduce the binding! Maybe 220 or even 360 or so grit! but you could just use candle or beeswax or whatever you usually use!

[@JonnyDIY]

​@@markm0000 he's mentioned before I believe candle wax

[@ThatEgghead]

If you get inspired, I'd love to see a needlessly complicated version that lifts the keyboard when you pull it out.

[@dfresh1524]

Surprised he didn't think of this. The keyboard should be elevated to open up the tendons in the wrist and prevent carpal tunnel.

[@rickt151]

​@@dfresh1524 this keyboard is probably only used a little as he mentioned something about his main computer. But of course I would like to see a complicated design

[@namewarvergeben]

A lever similar to the rocker-stops might be a neat and simple solution. One end of the lever rests below the rear edge of the keyboard, the other end of the lever sticks out just above the edge of the drawer. When the drawer is pulled out to its "typing configuration" the lever is pushed down by the front edge of the desk, which lifts the read of the keyboard up a little. But I agree that that's probably not necessary.

[@sapelesteve]

Great job Matthias! That catch to prevent the draw from being pulled out was brilliant! Definitely going to be using that on a project that I am about to make! Thanks.... 👍👍

[@JointerMark]

I've often thought that it would be ergonomically better for the space bar to be higher then the top edge of the keyboard so your drawer setup makes a lot of sense as it allows your wrists to be at a better angle to the keys. Thank you for posting this I always seem to glean some good technique or inspiration from your videos!

[@JonnyDIY]

Rocker stops were an ingenious idea 💕👏👍

[@johnlucier8572]

Never lose touch with your great ideas. Been wat hing you for years and will continue to watch more of ur videos. Great work matt

[@BrownAndDaughters]

I love the in-situ, on the fly style of design that you have mastered. I've started modeling some of my quick and functional projects on this style and I've been amazed at how fast I can make something to solve a problem. My magnum opus thus far has been to create a shed door handle and lock out of scrap wood, an old broom handle, and tube steel all found on the ground outside of that same shed!

[@Tomazack]

Been watching you for years and you still amaze me with the ingenious solutions you have to making things really cleverly functional. Ikea should pay you millions for consultation on their product development.

[@albeec13]

Been watching your videos for at least a decade, and in nearly every one there's a moment where you either come up with a clever technique to make a cut or slap together an ingenious mechanism to solve a problem. In this video that was at 6:00. Awesome rocker stop mechanism.

[@washoecreative595]

Back in 1985 I went to work for a data communications company that equipped itself with used cheap steel furniture. My desk was always a mess so I stuck my PC keyboard (the 82-key PC/AT keyboard, the best ever made) in my top drawer. By chance it worked very well in every way. Ironically now that I am working for myself, I have a desk with a top drawer that is unsuitable a keyboard. And I will probably never make the time to fix that.

[@dantesmith3664]

I've followed you for quite some time and i really enjoy the style and attitude of your videos. you are inspiring thank you

[@MichaelBogucki]

As always, a great video... love the simplicity and no-nonsense approach.

[@JP89SE3]

I really like the rocker idea! Though if it was me I would consider blocking it off inside the drawer so as to prevent items in the drawer from "activating" the rocker permanently and thus making it not catch. Doing this would make it harder to reach inside and activate when you do want to pull it out entirely but this could be solved by changing the shape slightly. Another great video, thanks Matthias!

[@AdamEarl2]

Tilting the cutter is also how to machine crank bores on an engine block. The cutting speed approaches zero at the middle of the tool, so tilting it 5-8° allows for better cutting conditions and longer tool life

[@kenc2257]

Neat. A couple of really ingenious little details you worked out there.

[@BenMitro]

That look on your face at the end...like a kid showing his first drawing from school to mum!

[@MayhemZwifting]

So fun to watch you work! Inspiring 🎉🎉🎉

[@fookingsog]

Nice Build!!! Looks like you have the GOOD Dell keyboards that have the drain holes in the bottom--for those unexpected spill mishaps!!! 😁👍🏻

[@grgr6720]

I love it when tidying up means throwing the stuff into a drawer. My favourite method too.

[@wimchen]

Simplicity and functionality, handson approach, facinating like always.

[@MCsCreations]

Brilliant work, Matthias! Well done! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

Brave guy, showing the internet his drawers.

[@groermaik]

Coming from a man who can only count to 9.8, you scared the hell out of me when you tried to catch that block while the router was running. SHEESH!

[@markm0000]

Doesn't matter how many lifetimes of experience that blade will still take a finger off or shoot a block of wood across the room. I wish he'd follow more safety precautions.

[@matthiaswandel]

Those with missing digits make the best safety instructors

[@kevinetheridge6153]

"I got too much clutter on this…desk…" - every time I walk into my office… Excellent video as always. I'll echo the compliments on the rocker stop. An elegant, simple solution. Thanks, Matthias.

[@ChristianBehnke]

Simple and elegant! Love it.

[@DconBlueZ]

Thanks for the video, always enjoy watching!

[@petersmith5199]

Still as clever as ever. Nice ideas throughout.

[@Unistarguy]

another super awesome video, and those rocker stops are genius

[@donbrearley3148]

That series of Dell keyboard remains among my favorite. Typing on one right now :)

[@PayneMaximus]

This is one "old-school-type" of woodworking project by Matthias. Nice!

That Dell keyboard is one of the best keyboards :) I love it and use them all the time. Still searching them everywhere

[@cadthunkin]

I love your drawer making in this, no matter what its for. I do CAD for a living and tell people to push keyboard and mouse far enough from desk edge so your elbows are on the desk. That way the weight of your arms is not on your shoulders. The worst is those vari-desk things that hang a little mouse pad in the air. I guess if just doing DOS input on keyboard....no, I'd still tell people to move that keyboard forward :)

[@brianskitch]

Love it Matthias! Your thumbnail gives off a funny alternative suggestion haha.

[@matthewbragg9463]

Mat, thank you for leaving in your mistakes on these videos, no matter how big or small. It's a good reminder that we're all human.

[@makatanau2878]

Beautiful job!

[@malachilandis9542]

It looks like you have a couple of the RP2040 Pico boards along with some others that I don't recognize. Could you make a video one day about your DIY microcontroller setups? It would be interesting to see what your strategy is for that type of thing, particularly since you seem to whip up new "home automation" setups quite quickly and effectively.

[@Kooldac]

Those rocker-stops are perfectly simple yet perfectly effective!

[@markduggan3451]

That was great timing, as I am currently working on a draw for under my scrollsaw.

[@RickRolling-tc7vb]

I too have a set of not very good peripherals for interacting with my tiny computers, seems to be a common thing.

[@zipa72]

At one moment I realised why is this looking so good - I have the same keyboard! :)

[@paulheitkemper1559]

A very Mattias sort of project would be an adjustable wooden monitor arm to get it up to a better viewing height. Then add a laptop stand to get it up and usable as a secondary monitor. Screen real estate is like clamps- you can never have enough.

[@NicoSmets]

Classic Wandel magic. I love it.

[@davidswanson5669]

I love your wooden Empire speed square.

[@famtube007]

Matthias, you never fail to amaze even on simplest of things. I just wished we were neighbors!

[@siberx4]

While this is a really nice looking drawer build and okay for typing the occasional 5-minute thing, note that having your keyboard and mouse at different heights like this is ergonomically awful for prolonged use and will cause arm/shoulder/back strain issues. It sounds like that won't affect you directly based on how you intend to use this set-up, just a word of warning for anybody considering replicating a similar setup. For extended use, you either need to have your keyboard and mouse both on top of the desk, or a tray wide enough to hold both the keyboard and mouse at the same height below the desk (with a small or minimal front lip to avoid the alignment problems Matthias highlighted in the video).

[@markm0000]

Ol' faithful Dell SK8115 still works perfectly. The new junk only lasts a few years to make you buy something new. Computers just aren't the same anymore.

[@AndreaArzensek]

Drawer stop is genius!

[@NamelessMoreOne]

As someone going insane trying to buy a decent desk, independently from price, I can't help but envy your ability to build them however your prefer.

[@ElQuesoGuapo]

I like the drawers. If you change your mind and want to have the keyboard rise up when you open the drawer, you could make a simple seesaw that the keyboard rests on, and mount an upside down ramp underneath the top of the desk. Opening the drawer would cause the back of the seesaw to be pushed down by the ramp, raising the keyboard. The seesaw could be built as a removable insert that drops into the drawer.

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

6:50 The confidence on the head turn is priceless.

[@gicknardner]

Very cool! If you did not know, the official raspberry pi imager software now lets you configure network (Wifi, new user, password, ssh, ssh keys) when you burn the image to SD so you can skip directly to headless. And that lets you use the lite images as well.

[@monstruoperro]

Pretty clever. Nice.

[@HELVIS.]

Your the man...well done.

[@jg5966]

Great idea, thanks for sharing

[@PabloEdvardo]

neat build!

[@sachiperez]

Your high precision ultra detailed plans,... look just like mine!

[@sachiperez]

You have way more experience than I do, but we solve problems in very similar ways and with similar priorities; I feel validated!

[@allan.moeslund]

Thank you for all your videos. I would like to se a video on how to reduce noice from workshop tools.

[@johngregg5735]

"Temporary miracle of cleaning up" - brilliant!

[@wobblysauce]

That is a great way to do the anti pull out

[@elindred]

Some features I would consider if the keyboard was used more frequently: A detent mechanism to soft lock the drawer when it's just open enough to expose the keyboard Making the drawer front flip out to reveal a padded wrist rest.

[@onjofilms]

Nice. I buy so many controllers and daughter boards, I need a drawer like that too. Really want to try that $5 controller EEVblog blogged about.

[@AnthonyVandergugten]

Matthias, your temporary miracle is wonderful. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[@joethompson11]

I really like the anti pullout feature, nice!

[@cyrusullmann9917]

Hey matthias, if you have your big green dust collector still, can you do a walk-around and maybe take it apart for a video? I've always wanted to see what makes that dust collector tick.

[@roboman2444]

Glad to see Mathias experimenting with esp32s.

[@mr.hankie]

I have that same laptop. Also great work

[@klemmonade]

The ergonomics of this setup are killing me

[@mcleanhoward9951]

I know you've already built multiples of mostly everything you need, but man, do I miss the woodworking machine builds.

[@12345NoNamesLeft]

6:00 Rocker Stops - really clever.

[@sdavidleigh6642]

terrific.

[@bmedicky]

4:30 Matthias really trolling the safety nellies... dropping a piece of wood on a spinning router bit, operating the tool with unbuttoned shirt cuffs dangling onto the table. 😀

[@randomreviews7574]

it would be great to see what you come up with where the keyboard lifts up when the drawer opens

[@travisfinucane]

For the box joint jig, don't you get little angled points in the kerfs using your regular blades?

[@Ififitzisitz]

A very clever project indeed!

[@tommyammo6135]

I have my keyboard in a drawer under my desk. I took the drawer front and put it on hinges so I can fold it down with a small brass handle, then slide out the bottom on slides with the keyboard on it and a small brass button to pull out the 'tray'. Wish I could show you a picture it works good nothing in the way of any keys.

[@hanshans387]

Matthias, do you have any thoughts on the the trailer for the new RIM/Blackberry movie?

[@Dave-kq7gv]

so cool!

[@oBuLLzEyEo1013]

Genius...

[@bamsebrumbamsebrumen5403]

Nice and simple 🙂

[@alianbaba9330]

Your videos are always freat. Please we need more mice maze videos

[@gingerelvis]

The rocker stops are a simple and elegant solution, I like that a lot. The ergonomics of the keyboard placement is awful. My day job is graphic design which is probably surprisingly keyboard heavy to most with shortcuts and copy writing, I have learned the hard way that desk and peripheral ergonomics is really important.

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

Great project! From the title I was hoping to see an elaborate keyboard auto-lift inside the drawer, but that's too much work for little use.

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

Well done

[@davidtarushka9749]

Hey Matthias, I'm an amateur woodworker and I've been watching your videos for years. Could you post a video of a small project wherein you do the entire project unedited for time? I would appreciate to see how much finagling and setup goes into each of your cuts, and it might give me perspective on what I'm doing myself.

[@werty1432k]

Hey Matthias, do you still have the square drill for round holes? Have you used it for anything?

[@marc_frank]

now that the desk is clean it'll collect new things then you'll need drawers for the drawers

[@matthiaswandel]

I'll deal with that problem when it comes

[@mudassarali8365]

Good job

[@RoborobsComputers]

Hey look a use for that tilting function on the router lift. Even if this was a simple on its what I was looking for... Shows you do listen to your audience.

[@reddcube]

I would also mount the monitor to reduce clutter.

[@dwoodog]

I can't wait for the snow to melt and it warm up a little bit so I can go back in the shop and tinker. Zero degrees is too cold, especially if your painting, or glueing.

[@matthiaswandel]

John heisz uses construction adhesive for this reason

[@zenobiomenezesalvim1398]

Good idea.

[@time1800]

Spring load it so when the draw pulls out it pops up level with the top of the draw and it would be perfect.

[@quilleymemory]

Solidarity comment for the algorithm. As ever, tanks for great content.

[@DaveChurchill]

The band-aid on the thumb appeared at some point during the video, hope it wasn't project related!

[@matthiaswandel]

It was. I planed off a good chunk of my thumbnail with a small had plane!

[@DaveChurchill]

@@matthiaswandel And people thought it would be the table saw that would finally get you!

[@Hoaxer51]

For under $10.00 a pair for self closing full extension drawer glides I think I’d save myself a lot of work and these were for an under mount style. I really do enjoy your videos but for this one I would go with the full extension ones.

[@mlk4343]

that looks like an ergonomic nightmare