Keyboard MegaShelf – Sliding Keyboard Shelf

L21

Coming soon (this is the Printables listing)…

This project is the result of my need to free desk space and lower the keyboard height as the desk is too tall for me. I spent over an hour looking for sliding keyboard trays and none met my needs/wants.

Features:

  • Big enough to hold daily used peripherals and more
  • Slides under desk to reduce footprint and add some dust protection
  • Solid. Very solid. Even when extended, the natural binding of the peripheral and hand weight “locks” the shelf in any position
  • Uses common or easily available materials, this aluminum extrusion is very stiff and practical
  • Can be adapted to any desk and shelf size without changing the 3D prints

Design considerations:

  • The front desk mount piece uses four screws since it will hold most of the weight. It can also replace the back one if wanted
  • The recommended print orientation maximizes the layers along the shear forces, so I STRONGLY suggest following it
  • No supports or adhesion required, nada. I’ve had success printing as they are but you know your printer better so decide if you want them and maybe also a brim (specially for bed slinging)
  • The extrusion mating parts include an inner “rib” that makes contact in the extrusion slots before the side walls to reduce sliding friction and considerably increasing the holding strength
  • Not only functional, but also spent some time shaping for a nicer look and feel, your thighs and knees will thank you when they hit them
  • Designed for 1″ (24-25mm) long screws, the mounting components have ½” mount spacing which allows ½” threaded depth. Please adjust for your desktop thickness accordingly.

Print suggestions:

  • Any layer height but 0.28/0.30mm should work for speed
  • No support
  • No adhesion features but you know your print better, you may want brim
  • 3 perimeters/walls
  • 30% minimum infill
  • Orient components vertically, see next image below

Downsides:

  • It binds when trying to slide-in or out caused by uneven force on the ends when doing so, a couple of suggestions are to frame the shelf with additional length-wise aluminum extrusion to force squareness and/or use grease which I haven’t tried yet.
  • Requires additional materials, like the aluminum extrusion, wood screws and machine screws plus t-slot nuts
  • If printed in PLA, keep an eye for material residue in the sliding extrusion, from my experience, PLA was more brittle and saw plastic dust/shavings in the extrusion channel but no immediate compromise to the part integrity. PETG is a more pliable material so is now recommended
  • It doesn’t make tacos but it does free your desk to hold them

I STRONGLY suggest using the following printing orientations which maximize the printed layers across the pulling forces of the shelf. Close attention to the sliders, not only vertical but parallel to Y if you have a slinging bed.

For the future: Can’t stop thinking about using v-slot wheels for that smooth and satisfying slide but initial thoughts makes it look clunky, obtrusive, and more expensive. But I like the challenge and more options are good so stay tuned!

All-in-all, I’m extremely happy with this solution, it’s very solid, holds peripherals clearing my desk and stows away. I’m publishing this free hoping that my time and effort go further than just meeting my needs, I will really appreciate any feedback and attribution

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