First Project - Keyboard Shelf

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This is my first post and my first welded project.  For the last two years I've been living with a make-shift keyboard shelf and I've finally remedied that.  To give some background, I have an office full of Ikea  furniture and what I use as a desk was actually sold as a bed table...one of those things that one might imagine rolling from the foot of the bed up over the bed and into a position for eating breakfast if one could imagine someone making you breakfast in bed...But, back in the real world, the desk thing is only 14-1/2" deep, which works out great for these new flat screen monitors but it has no provision for attaching a keyboard shelf.  The desk is built like a hollow core door and in typical Ikea fashion, it has only about 3/8" of solid material at the edge and the rest is just veneer so there is not much to attach to.  Let me also say that I have no idea what I'm doing with the welder so not that I think you guys are shy or anything but don't hesitate to comment on what you can see of the welds.  I know there is a lot of room for improvement and I will be asking some questions as I go forward.   Merry Christmas everyone!So this is problem:I've come up with a few solutions but never built anything until now.  I just bought my first welder (Millermatic 140AS) and decided this would be a good project to practice on.  So, here is the solution (and I gained back 4 of my clamps!):That is the bracket tacked up and here are the two pieces nearly complete:And a detail picture:Then after looking at the particle board shelf (Scrap from Ikea "as-is" bin) I decided that my original idea to run long screws thru the side of the bracket into the side of the shelf wasn't a good idea and added some plates to the bottom of the brackets to act as mounting tabs.  The 1/8" plate is overkill but it is all I had on hand.And finally here are a couple of pictures of the whole thing in place:Note that the brackets are not screwed in to the desk at all.  There are felt pads under the part that rests on the desktop.  Gravity and leverage hold it in place.  It is remarkably sturdy despite my lacking skills.Last edited by slocar; 12-25-2007 at 03:37 AM.Reason: Stupid Grammar
Reply:Good work/idea.
Reply:Nice.  I think it will hold more than a keyboard DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Looks great! very sturdy and nice welds.Good choice on the Miller it shows that your the kinda guy who does his homework,that and the way you got posting pics  down on your first day here,im still trying to get it right  Welcome to the sight !!Victor SuperRanger O/A                                         Solar migLincoln Powermig 140Southbend 9in lathe350# kohlswa anvilMiller Maxstar 150 stl etc....
Reply:Cool!!!!I love practical projects!!!Miller 252 Mig WelderMiller Spoolmatic 15AMiller Econotig TIG/ARC WelderMiller Spectrum 375 Extreme Plasma Cutter
Reply:Looks like a practical thing to have around a shop-for those times I am just a few square inches short of bench space.
Reply:You'll knock the desk over before that comes apart.. If it does slip off watch your toes!!Myself..I'd put a screw thru the tubing somewhere on the bottom to keep it in one place..Merry Christmas.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:It just goes to show that with a welder, some cheap materials and an imagination, there is no END to what can be done!!!  Nice work bud, looks great!  No paint?Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Thanks for all the comments.  I think I am going to run a screw into the back end of each tube just for insurance.  And, as far as paint, I haven't decided yet.    I think I might wire brush both brackets and then clear coat them.  As I'm new to welding, I kind of like to look at the welds and, in general, raw metal inspires me!Hope you all had a great holiday!
Reply:Very cool idea. The keyboard holders you buy at the store are basically that same design but integrate a few more screws. Good job! How do you like the MM140 so far? Did you buy it online or at your local welding supply?John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I like the Millermatic.  I was second guessing myself after I bought it...you know, you can find a bunch of $250-$400 units on Craigslist and such and thought "do I really need such a fancy machine" but once I started using it, I am glad I went the route I did.  Realize, I have nothing to compare to.  I have been reading a lot and watching this website avidly but that is it.  I ran a couple beads on some sheet metal when I first got the welder about a month ago but haven't had time to mess with it until this past weekend.  I want to build a gate between two areas of my yard and I bought all the material but chickened out and decided to try a smaller project and I'm really glad I did.  I bought the Millermatic through Indianna Oxygen (something) on ebay through their ebay store.  Search for "IOC ebay" and you will find them.  They had the best deal I found online and everything arrived quickly and as advertised. But when I went in to buy a bottle at the local welding store, they told me they could almost match that price plus sell me the bottle at half price plus give me discounts on refills for buying the unit from them...so it would have been close but I think buying it locally might have worked out a little better.  So the moral is I should have checked around locally a little better.  But, I am not worried...I love it so far and my ultimate hope is that I actually outgrow it.  But first...I'm thinking plasma cutter!