Stylish Mounted Keyboard Storage from a Cheap Magazine Holder

This Instructable is a step-by-step guide to turning a cheap Aluminum Mesh Magazine Holder (available at any office supplies place, Wally World, or Target) into an attractive and stable desk-mounted storage caddy. My purpose was to hold a Keyboard and mouse, but you could put anything in it really.

Some of these have built-in mounting holes on the back of the device. I wished to side-mount mine, so I didn't use these.

***Warning*** this instructable requires drilling into a perfectly good surface. Measure carefully before you do this, as you may ruin your furniture being careless.

Step 1 Gather Tools

You will need the following:

1.) A Desk, or a Surface to mount the holder onto.
2.) A Sharpie or other form of marking device that will write on the metal of the Magazine holder.
3.) A level
4.) A pair of Di-Cutter type wire cutters. Only Dikes will do, due to the closeness of the mesh.
5.) A Pencil
6.) A Drill, with an appropriately sized drill bit. I used a 1/4 inch bit.
7.) Appropriately sized machine screws equal to the number of holes you are going to drill in your surface. Due o the weird shape of my wife's desk, I could only use three. I would recommend 4. My machine screws were 1/4 x 14 thread, 1.5inches long.
8.) Enough 1-inch wide washers to cover your number of holes.
9.) Enough 1-inch wide RUBBER washers to cover your number of holes.
10.) Enough 1/2 inch wide RUBBER washers to cover your number of holes.
11.) Enough Bubble&Hex style cap screws (see Picture #2 on this step)
12.) A small, stubby screw driver that matches your Screw's head type. (I used a small stubby one otherwise used for installing lamp kits on ceiling fans.)
13.) A Wire Mesh Magazine Holder. (nearly forgot it!)

Comments

[Robarooney]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I've collected at least 10 keyboards over the years and I don't want to throw them away but I don't want them laying in a box somewhere. Thanks.

[matbh]

what a great ideia! i work fixing computer, and i aways have a problem with 2 keyboards over my small desk.... some times i have to put the keyboard on floor to open space....

[bben46]

I like this one. I have a roll around computer table that I use for repair/ upgrades to the many stray computers that pass through my hands. When there is no computer on it, it acts as an end table. Normally I put my 'test' keyboard away in a closet. After I make this it will be readily available at any time.

[lemonie]

Ah the familiar Dell keyboard. Your desk-clutter shows why you need this... (nice) L

[coloquialist]

Thanks. Although, the clutter belongs to my wife. 'nuff said. :) My Desk, (as seen on step 2, picture 2) is cluttered only by the fact that you can see my under-desk storage through the glass top.

[lemonie]

I looked again, now I see it. L

[NachoMahma]

. Good idea. Good iBle. Thumbs up.

[coloquialist]

Thanks! This is my first one. I figured it was a good idea and hadn't seen it anywhere else.