When I built the Federal-style desk that featured in Peter Gedrys’ article “Antique Finish that Holds Nothing Back” I knew that it would not just sit in a room looking pretty but be used everyday by my wife in her home office. On her previous desk the slide-out tray featured a padded wrist support in front of the keyboard. The purpose was to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome developing in the wrists, a painful malady that can only be healed through surgery. I was determined to add such a support to the new desk but I wanted it to be as unobtrusive as possible. This is how I built it:

1) Take measurements of the existing pad or the keyboard and construct a wooden core. Round over the top corners, and cut 1/8-in. deep rabbets on the the underside.

2) Wrap two layers of closed-cell foam around the core and staple them inside each rabbet. Sources of foam include packing materials or you can buy sill seal used in home building.

3) Cover the foam in either leather, if you’re feeling extravagant, or in my case leather-look vinyl. Either can be bought at fabric shops.

4) Fold over the vinyl at each end, cut away surplus fabric, and staple the ends down.

5) Screw on end caps with recessed screw holes and plug the holes.

6) Dye the plugs to match the end caps. I used a non-grain raising dye but even a permanent marker would work.

7) Attach the pad using screws from the underside of the tray. Start typing.

 

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