it’s time once again for our occasional series, No User Serviceable Parts!

[zwol]

In this two-part episode, zwol attempts to assemble a Staples brand flat-pack keyboard tray and attach it to his desk. The score so far:

+5	for clear, concise instructions.
+10	for all-metal shelf runners with ball bearings.
+2	for including one extra of every fastener, thus reducing the risk of being unable to finish the job because something got lost.
-1	for including one extra of every fastener, thus ensuring that you will have several left over when you’re done.
+20	for the actual-size paper template to be taped to the underside of the desk, indicating where to drill the screw holes.
-1	for not considering the possibility that the desk might include a steel bar right where they want you to drill one set of holes.
-10	for self-tapping screws.
+5	for restricting self-tapping screws to assemblies that probably won’t ever have to come apart again.
-5	for itsy bitsy tiny teeny nut-and-bolt pairs.
-5	for the stamped-sheet-metal alleged wrench to be used with said nut-and-bolt pairs.
-10	for angle brackets that can be attached upside down.
-10	for angle brackets that require simultaneous use of a wrench, a screwdriver, and two clamps to attach. And detach and reattach again when you realize you attached them upside down.

Part one ends on a cliffhanger: the electric drill’s battery is dead! Tune in tomorrow to find out whether my keyboard fits in the tray, and under that steel bar, when it’s installed.

Comments

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

Comes out to zero so far. Was that intentional?

[zwol.livejournal.com]

No, but that's pretty neat for happenstance.