Happy 10th Anniversary Mountainman's Mantra!! 25 August 2021

 

Sunrise in Sedgewick (Photo by VA McMillan)

WOW!! Where did that decade go?? Anyone else surprised that Mountainman's Mantra is still here a decade later?? Thank you to all of you who visit, look at the pics, and read the stories. I hope you have enjoyed your time here.

As this epic post was approaching I was going to have this as the 200th post on the 10th anniversary...so, close, this is the 199th post on Mountainman's Mantra!! Life happens and plans must be amended. 

I have no regrets. I have learned a lot since starting this blog and I look forward to learn even more. First big lesson was to ensure to have a header picture. When blog links are posted on other websites the picture shows up as a thumbnail or larger and that helps folks decide to click and look. The other lesson was to post as often as possible, with material that is worth reading or pictures worth seeing or projects worth making. I try to keep this blog free of useless fluff and of course, sometimes I try to challenge myself and the reader by presenting topics or opinions that challenge the status quo. Some days, you just have to exercise your freedom of expression. As readers you also get to exercise your freedom of choice and that may include not reading some of the things I post. I believe in freedom and we should all be allowed to respect the free choices folks make. If we all made the same choices we will lose the diversity that makes up the human race...and that would be too boring.

I will do my best to continue to post thought provoking materials for the next decade...and beyond!!

Until next time...celebrate your milestones!!

Mountainman.

Tahoe Mod: Keyboard Tray Completes Back Seat Work Area

 

This blog post will complete a recent series of posts on modifying the Tahoe for work and adventure. For past posts please click on these links:

Sleep Platform: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-sleep-platform-designed-by.html 

Rear Console Project: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-rear-console-project.html

Tablet Mount Project: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/improving-amazon-basic-vehicle-tablet.html

Tool Roll: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/tool-roll-designed-by-satas-co-for.html

Compressor Tote: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/viair-88p-12v-portable-air-compressor.html

Cargo Organizer: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/building-cargo-organizer-for-my-vehicle.html

So, to complete the working area in the back of the Tahoe, a keyboard tray was needed to allow me to type with the Tablet mounted on the back of the front passenger seat headrest. I wanted a keyboard tray that was easy to adjust and affordable to build. From one of the previous projects, I still had a piece of ¾” plywood that was larger than the Logitech K380 keyboard, so that is where I would start. In designing this tray, I would round the corners and centre the keyboard on the piece of wood. A recess just a bit larger than the keyboard would be routered out. To prevent the keyboard from sliding off the tray. For this task I would have to ask my friend Mark for some help. The recess was made about 3/16” into the tray. Surprisingly the keyboard must be near vertical before it wants to fall out of the tray!! Amazing.

Once the recess was created, I was able to finish the remaining tasks at home. Using my manual brace with a 3/8” spade bit, I drilled the four (4) holes for the supporting cords that would hold the keyboard tray in place.

The tray was finished with Minwax Golden Oak stain and all edges were rounded with a rasp and sandpaper. Once dry the tray was test fitted below the Tablet mount. While these pics were taken with the cords being held in place by tying knots, this has since be upgraded to using cord lock which offer more precise adjustments to keep the keyboard tray at a proper work angle.

The completion of this project makes the Tahoe ready for adventure and work. The new sleeping pad on the sleeping platform works as expected. I will have the opportunity in the next few days to put all the mods through their paces. So far all is working well.

Until next time…Make the solution work for you!!

Mountainman.