make a compartment with a lid flush with the top of your table or desk. It's the right size for a standard sized flatbed scanner. A little hook in the lid opens the scanner when you open the lid. A hole in the back keeps the cords tidy.

Now you no longer lose surface space for the stupid scaner that you only use once a month. It looks cool too.
-- futurebird, Apr 12 2003

Things Going Squish on my Scanner http://www.kamikaze.../squish/squish1.htm
Weird site I happened to run across a few hours after reading this [krelnik, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Swiss Army Desk http://www.cartoonr...ARTOON%20PAGE-1.htm
NOT the one I was looking for [Canuck, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Desk with monitor well http://osullivan-fu...x.html/model/10319/
RayfordSteele's wish come true [Canuck, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Just don't spill your drink on it. +
-- snarfyguy, Apr 12 2003


My smart scanner can stand and operate almost vertically at the back edge of the desk.
-- FarmerJohn, Apr 12 2003


[FJ] is this something you discovered or something the manufacturer says is okay to do? Every flatbed scanner I have used is supposed to operate in as close to a level orientation as possible.
-- bristolz, Apr 12 2003


My scanner is designed to work vertically (even comes with a support stand and a velcro latch). Problem is - someone in R&D forgot to note that paper put in a vertical scanner tends to fall out before you can get the lid shut.

I like this one.
-- waugsqueke, Apr 12 2003


If it removes an object from the surface of my desk, it gets a croissant.
-- Shz, Apr 13 2003


Just make sure you clear the scanner bed before closing the desk lid. (See link).
-- krelnik, Apr 14 2003


Egg sealent
-- thumbwax, Apr 14 2003


Seen this done with a monitor before. Whole monitor sits angled and low inside the desk in a cutout; glass top to fill the hole. Not too sure about the ergonomics, but it was a nifty space-saver.

Wish I could find a link.
-- RayfordSteele, Apr 14 2003


Ray, I remember seeing something years ago called the Swiss Army Desk in an office furniture company catalogue. Can't find it on the web, but I did find a photo of what you mentioned.

futurebird, obviously I have no idea how much room you have or what your computer area looks like, but I store my scanner beside my desk, standing on end, then I bring it up on the desk for the time I am actually using it. My scanner is so old it has a parallel hook-up so I'm not about to plug/unplug each time I need it, and I find this works OK, except when there is so much important resource material (ie. junk) on my desk there is no room. That's when I use the handy TV tray table! Works for me.
-- Canuck, Apr 14 2003


I've actually thought of something similar to this since I've had a custom-made desk on my mind for a while now, and I really like the idea of a well, since there is usually unused internal space towards the back.

+ :)
-- JackandJohn, Apr 14 2003



random, halfbakery