How To Add An In Desk USB Hub To Your Desktop

Ive been trying to design a new desk/office for a long time but am never quite happy with it. One feature I know Im going to want in my custom desk is a built-in USB Hub. Instead of waiting around until I have the perfect plan and time to build it I decided to purchase a 3" Belkin In-Desk USB Hub

The USB Hub will work without the power adapter being pulled and just off of the power from the USB port you connect it to. For devices that draw more energy, such as external hard drives, you can choose to plug in the Hub.
Belkin also makes a smaller 2" In-Desk USB HubI chose the Belkin because Ive used their products in the past and have always been pleased. I saw another model that also

What Youll Need

Materials

• 3" Belkin In-Desk Hub (or 2" In-Desk Hub)
• Labels

Tools

• Drill
• 3" Hole Saw bit (or 2" if using 2" hub)

Step 1: Make the Hole

Start by determining where you would like to mount the USB hub in your desk top. The location should be convenient and not in the way of other items you plan on putting on this area of your desk. Also check underneath the desk to make sure there are no obstructions to interfere with the installation or cables.

Use the hole saw in your drill and make the hole. If possible its best to start the hole from underneath but dont cut all the way through. Once the drill bit portion of the hole saw emerges on the desk top, stop drilling, pull out the hole saw and finish up the hole from the top. This will give you a cleaner cut. If you just drill from the top, like I did, the hole has some imperfections along the edge but these will be covered up by the grommet.

Step 2: Install the Grommet

Next, slide the grommet into the hole. It wasnt fitting very tight for me so I cut up a wide rubber band into 4 pieces and positioned them in the hole before sliding the grommet in to get a tighter fit.