from Hacker News

My DIY ergonomic travel workstation with aluminum and magnets

by trishume on 11/9/22, 3:55 AM with 89 comments

• by seltzered_ on 11/9/22, 6:09 AM

  FYI, I curate setups like these on https://reddit.com/r/ergomobilecomputers

• by ianthehenry on 11/9/22, 6:34 AM

  Oh I love this! Doubling as a carrying case is a great idea. I like the flat-pack assembly with the spacers parts. What's the weight of the full assembly like?

  I did something similar to this last year, but without the travel goal (just trying to get myself to move around and work outside more). Instead of mating the keyboard to the base, I attached some larger magnets to the bottom of the keyboard by setting them into a custom aluminum bottom plate (also from SendCutSend) and made a flat desk surface out of ferromagnetic steel.

  https://ianthehenry.com/posts/kyria-build/bespoker-aluminum-...

  One advantage of this is that I can move around the keyboard halves freely, angling them differently throughout the day. Which is also sort of a disadvantage, but they stick pretty well in place if I'm not trying to mess with them. I can also attach some other things that I slapped magnets on (mostly a mechanical pomodoro timer that I use for writing).

  https://i.imgur.com/S0bstNs.png

  I experimented with some alternate keyboard mounting strategies, but didn't find anything that made a big difference.

  https://i.imgur.com/ohNWhhS.png

  This is my second magnetic keyboard lap desk prototype. My first was far too heavy, so to reduce weight I just bent a piece of sheet steel around a piece of cork (the sharp bends add a lot of rigidity). I think the next one will be tented a bit... SendCutSend does bending now; I bet I could laminate steel to a thin aluminum frame...

• by ahmedalsudani on 11/9/22, 12:37 PM

  As I clicked on the link, my mind was wondering how it would compare to the last DIY keyboard I saw ... which was trishume's. I should read the username before clicking :)

  Thank you for sharing your new workstation, Tristan. This one looks quite a bit less intimidating than the last one--I think I'll finally start dabbling in the DIY keyboard world.

  One thing I need to figure out/work on is how to turn the output from any of the DIY designs into PS/2 signals. My desktop setup requires that.

  Currently using the PS/2 version of https://www.ergodirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=450, which has been discontinued for a while. If this keyboard dies, DIY might be the only option for an ergonomic PS/2 keyboard.

• by waltbosz on 11/9/22, 1:56 PM

  This reminds me of a portable dual monitor setup that I tried to build. I used PVC pipe fittings and USB monitors.

  The most difficult part for me was getting the screw holes lined up for VESA mount. I didn't have access to a 3D printer, so I was just cutting wood panel and drilling holes by hand.

  Also PVC was too unwieldy. Making the necessary hinge joints was hard because of how much space the pipe took up.

  Hmm, now I want to revisit my design. If only I had more time.

  Also, I now have access to 3D printers, laser cutters, and a CNC machine at the STEM lab of my local public library. It's actually a shame how underutilized this place is. I was there during open hours, and no one was using any equipment except for the 3D printer. There is also a recording studio.

• by tra3 on 11/9/22, 5:13 AM

  I built a Mobile workstation out of an old dslr tripod after I saw one on Amazon (0). Game changer for me.

  I can use it sitting down like a traditional desk, or standing up. Occasionally I bring it all the way down and squat in front of it. Surprisingly challenging.

  It packs rather slim but it’s not as fancy as the Amazon version

  0 https://www.amazon.com/TRIPODSY-Portable-Standing-Adjustable...

• by rcarr on 11/9/22, 10:49 PM

  In my opinion, ZSA have absolutely nailed it with the “Platform” for the Moonlander. It is absolutely perfect for tenting, adjustable to whatever angle you want and rock solid on the table. It can also pack down flat and still fit in the case. It’s still a pretty hefty set up though, I wouldn’t mind seeing them make some kind of mini version for out and about whilst either still keeping the same amount of keys or dropping the num row and the third button on the thumb pad which is too far to comfortably reach.

  I am so happy with the set up that I am currently weighing up buying a second one despite the price and storing it away in case it all kicks off in Taiwan in the next couple of years and my Moonlander breaks. Sad that we have to consider such things now but possibly prudent.

  For anyone interested: https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/platform/

• by TeMPOraL on 11/9/22, 9:44 AM

  What's the static electricity story here? I personally avoid any and all metal fixtures around my work desk, because I invariably end up being painfully shocked by them every time I shift on the chair[0]. At this point I habituated having small metal objects around me (e.g. key bundles), that I can use to discharge static before/during getting up, sitting down, etc.

  Where 'ianthehenry mentioned here[1] they've made a desk surface out of steel, I pretty much fainted reading it.

  (Worst related working experience in my life was, a few jobs back, customers' brand new headquarters built in the "modern" style of carpets + glass + aluminum. There, every single surface would shock me when I touched it with my bare hands - even glass window panes were out to get me.)

  ----

  [0] - Any of the several chairs I tried. So it's not just about the chair, I think.

  [1] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33528148

• by alias_neo on 11/9/22, 11:08 AM

  I immediately recognised the stand as the Roost [0] because I have one, but OP links to Amazon with a different name. Was Roost ripped off or do they simply white label this?

  [0] https://www.therooststand.com/

• by rkwasny on 11/9/22, 8:56 AM

  Anyone knows where to buy a ready-made low profile split keyboard like this?

• by mgarfias on 11/9/22, 4:33 AM

  Omg thank you. Having some massive pain in my shoulder (when externally rotating my arm), and I think it’s due to moving my arm out to get the trackpad/mouse.

  I’m going to try this keyboard setup deal with the track pad in the center.

• by pmontra on 11/9/22, 10:34 AM

  I wonder if I'll have to also go custom for my next laptop if I want something with a 15" screen, no numberpad, touchpad with 3 physical buttons, boots to Linux, fully self serviceable or almost so.

  I have hopes for Framework but they are still missing at least two of those points. My current laptop is missing the no numberpad point. I had to compromise and that was the least painful one.

• by jimmySixDOF on 11/9/22, 9:03 AM

  My travel workstation consists of a SFF 13L PC, a Meta Quest 2 VR Headset, and the paired Logitech K830 keyboard. No battery but it all fits into a carryon roller at 8Kgs with cables and it's a true workstation as in high end GPU/CPU/RAM with multiple monitors. I call it an All-in-One-Office-on-Wheels-in-a-Box !

• by brodouevencode on 11/9/22, 2:45 PM

  I wonder what percentage of users use keyboards like this? Or is it just enthusiasts/modders?

• by MrsPeaches on 11/9/22, 11:18 AM

  Some pictures of this in use would be really helpful!

• by taubek on 11/9/22, 10:26 AM

  Do magnets have any influence on electronics?

• by wizardforhire on 11/9/22, 5:21 AM

  Whoa, great job! Your setup looks amazing.

• by hi_its_trevor on 11/9/22, 4:52 AM

  magnets are the best.

• by metadat on 11/9/22, 4:04 AM

  A hairy yet stylish keyboard.

  https://thume.ca/assets/postassets/travelwork/case-open.jpeg

  Didn't Eminem sing a song about the affliction of hairy palms?