18 Inch Keyboard Slide for Dark-Finished and Contemporary Workstations

This is an 18 inch side-mount ball bearing keyboard slide from Knape and Vogt's 8150 series, finished in black and rated 75 lb per pair. A hold-in/hold-out detent keeps the tray closed when stowed and holds it open at the desk while both hands are at work.

Key Features

• Black finish blends with dark-painted interiors, black laminate panels, and contemporary workstation furniture.
• Hold-in/hold-out detent secures the keyboard tray in both the closed and fully open positions without a separate latch.
• 3/4 extension brings the tray out far enough for comfortable keyboard use while keeping the slide compact in shallow desk cavities.
• 75 lb rating per pair covers a keyboard, mouse, wrist rest, and monitor arm counterweight on a single tray.
• Ball bearing construction on steel members delivers smooth, consistent travel through years of daily extension and retraction.
• Non-handed design means the same slide fits the left and right sides of the drawer, with no sorting required at the bench.

Where the Hold-In/Hold-Out Detent Earns Its Keep

A keyboard tray without a hold feature migrates — it creeps closed mid-task or drifts open when the desk is bumped. The dual detent on the 8150 series solves both problems: push the tray closed and it stays closed; pull it to full open and it stays open until intentionally pushed back in. That behavior is particularly useful in shared workstations, standing-desk converters, and ADA-accessible installations where the tray position needs to hold reliably between users. This is a standard-motion slide — there is no soft-close damper and no spring assist, so the tray travels freely between the two detent positions.

Finish and Construction

The ebony black powder coat covers cold-rolled steel members and is designed to read as furniture-grade hardware rather than utility hardware. It holds up to the friction of daily use better than a decorative paint, and it coordinates with black cabinet interiors, dark aluminum extrusions, and matte-black desk frames. Zinc is the segment's standard finish and the right choice where the slide will be hidden; black is the right choice where it will be seen.

Applications and Fit

The 8150 series is built for keyboard trays, pull-out writing surfaces, and under-desk platforms in office furniture, workstation cabinetry, and built-in desks. At 3/4 extension, the tray does not clear the desk opening fully, but for a keyboard platform that is the right tradeoff — the tray is supported along more of its length and the slide stays inside a shallower cavity. The 75 lb per pair rating is well above what a keyboard and accessories weigh, so there is headroom for a heavier tray or a mounted monitor arm. The slide is non-handed and ships as a poly-pack pair, so one order covers one tray.

A Finished Look That Holds Its Position

The KV 8150 in black brings detent-controlled, ball bearing travel to desks and workstations where a zinc slide would stand out against the surrounding hardware — pair it with a tray, mount it, and the mechanism disappears into the finished work.