Artist Rosemary Watson takes on the challenge of providing a self-enclosed work area for a client whose home is short on space. She transforms an ordinary pie safe into a computer workstation by adding a rolling keyboard drawer. A rolling keyboard drawer is added beneath the shelf that will hold the computer monitor. A piece of plywood trimmed with molding serves as the drawer. Because the sides of the pie safe are made of slatted wood, the tracks of the drawer slide are attached to a pair of mounting blocks, which are installed inside the unit. Mounting blocks aren't necessary if the sides of the cabinet are solid. Materials:
Plywood cut to the size of the rolling drawer
Molding to trim the edge of the drawer
Mounting blocks if necessary
Side-mount drawer slide
Measuring tape
Fine-grade sandpaper (100 to 150 grit)
Tack cloth
Fast-drying stain
Foam brush
Finishing nails
Wood screws
Wood glue
Hammer
Drill
Acrylic polyurethane sealer
- Sand the plywood smooth to remove any dirt or imperfections in the wood. Wipe clean with a tack cloth.
- Use a foam brush to apply stain to the plywood and molding. If mounting blocks are necessary, stain them as well. When the stain is dry, lightly sand the surface of the wood, wipe clean with a tack cloth, and apply a second cost of stain.
- When the stain has dried, apply sealer with a foam brush. Attach the molding to the front of the shelf with wood glue and finishing nails.
- Use a drill to screw the tracks of the drawer slide in position inside the unit. Attach the tracks to the mounting blocks first, if necessary (figure A), then install the mounting blocks inside the unit. Attach the wheel component of the drawer slide to the sides of the drawer (figure B), and slide the drawer into place (figure C).
- Set up the computer in the new desk, with the monitor above the rolling keyboard drawer and the CPU beneath.
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