I have a treadmill with sloped armrails. I want to attach a desk to my treadmill to support my AlphaSmart, but the angle of the armrails is a problem. Any ideas on how else I can get a platform on there? Thanks!
DIY treadmill desk: any handypeople here that can help?
- Thread starter Bubastes
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If I'm understanding you properly, you might be able to rig something by taking the piece of wood that you're going to use as the desk and attaching 4 hose clamps to the bottom. Nailing them in would probably work OK. If you don't know what hose clamps are, they're circular metal clamps like you'd see attaching the radiator hose to your radiator. Any hardware store would have them.
Once the hose clamps are nailed on to the board, use the hose clamps to attach the board to the armrails.
Got it. The problem is that the armrails slope downward too much, so I need some way to prop the board up away from the armrails so it will be closer to horizontal. That's where I'm running into the problem. There is a horizontal bar as well, but it's only one bar, so I would need to build a bracket of some sort.
Hmmm, maybe I need to go to Lowe's for inspiration.
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Ah, gotcha. Try running a length of PVC or a board or something under the edge of the board closest to you. Once you find something about the right size to raise the board to horizontal, attach that to the board and then attach the hose clamps to it.
Rube goldberg, eat your heart out.
Rube goldberg, eat your heart out.
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That's an excellent idea! Thanks so much. May I call you Bob Vila now?
You may, but I prefer the Tim Taylor approach. Once you get it installed, let me know and we'll talk about adding a motor. A big one.
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Also, you could just attach a small piece of wood to the bottom of the wooden plank you're going to use as a desk to keep the Alphasmart from falling out while keeping it slanted. Even while standing, I reckon slanted would be easier to type in and also make it easier for you to see the screen.
Wow... are you running and typing? Or just walking? Or is it like.. run run run.. ooh, brilliant idea, gotta write it down...run run run...
Really slow walk. I can't stand the thought of sitting down to write after sitting all day at work. I don't need my backside to get wider, thankyouverymuch.
I figured out a possible rig using panels and Velcro tape. Gotta hit Lowe's today and see if it's even feasible.
I figured out a possible rig using panels and Velcro tape. Gotta hit Lowe's today and see if it's even feasible.
For anyone who's interested, I figured out a rig and it works perfectly!
I attached a Rubbermaid shelf to the treadmill with Velcro tape. The lip on the shelf keeps my Alphasmart from sliding off. The keyboard position was a bit too low, so I boosted it higher with a rolled-up towel. The towel has the unexpected benefit of acting as a wrist support. Total cost: less than $20, much better than the specialized tables and gadgets that cost between several hundred and several thousand (!) dollars.
Here are photos of the rig. I can type comfortably while walking 2.0 mph. No, it won't get me into marathon shape, but it will reduce the amount of time I spend on my butt.
I attached a Rubbermaid shelf to the treadmill with Velcro tape. The lip on the shelf keeps my Alphasmart from sliding off. The keyboard position was a bit too low, so I boosted it higher with a rolled-up towel. The towel has the unexpected benefit of acting as a wrist support. Total cost: less than $20, much better than the specialized tables and gadgets that cost between several hundred and several thousand (!) dollars.
Here are photos of the rig. I can type comfortably while walking 2.0 mph. No, it won't get me into marathon shape, but it will reduce the amount of time I spend on my butt.
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This is so cool. I might do this to my treadmill.....Oh dear you are making it really hard to come up with excuses to exercise.
and/or write.
and/or write.
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Since you've already created something that works, it seems unsporting for me to arrive late and tell you every gym has these clear plastic dealies treadmill, elliptical trainer, and stair climber users can grab. They sit securely over the control panel at its angle, have a generous lower lip, and safely hold books, magazines, and probably an AlphaSmart, without taking up any of the exercise surface or space. There's one on eBay for 99 cents.
Maryn, unsporting
Maryn, unsporting
Those plastic things are quite cool! For typing, I think it would be too high, but it would be great for doing revisions. Thanks for the eBay lead!
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If you have a store that sells fitness equipment locally, they'll probably carry them. The place we bought our treadmill did.
Maryn, not all that fond of treading (but happy to walk outside)
Maryn, not all that fond of treading (but happy to walk outside)