EEVblog #679 - How To Build A Small Electronics Work Bench

[ErikTheNorwegian]

Nice Project..
I made a 6,2 meter long bench, but the dealer of the esd mat recomended a earth studd in the mat for every 1,5 to 2 meters.. dont know if that is right but  thats what i did.

Erik

[free_electron]

for folks in the Us / canada : i buy my ESD mat here :

http://stores.ebay.com/canvu00?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

this guy has different widths and lengths.

[nanofrog]

for folks in the Us / canada : i buy my ESD mat here :

http://stores.ebay.com/canvu00?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

this guy has different widths and lengths.

I've bought from this seller as well. Excellent quality and prices IME.

He'll also do custom sizes if you need it.

[rodcastler]

5:00 -  Good on you Chilean viewers! You made it to the EEVBlog!   

[(*steve*)]

No-one else seems to have mentioned it, but 900mm is near enough to 36", which is standard kitchen countertop height

Dave must be a bit of a short-arse, or have long arms :-)  My bench height is almost exactly 1m and I have what appears to be similar "elbow clearance".

I would recommend people try out various bench heights for themselves as I would struggle with a bench height of only 900mm (it leads to a sore back really quickly as I have to stoop over to use it).

Incidentally, when we built our house we specified higher benches, which people first thought were odd -- until they used them.  I think ours are between 70mm and 100mm higher than the standard, and again, they're probably around 1m (but I can check)

[MadScientist]

For a bench that will be used only for electronics, I add a wooden frame on top of the bench, about 10mm wide and 3-4mm high, so the small things (screws, screw drivers, shafts, ...) don't roll out and fell.

Of you mean a " lip " round the edge , no don't do that , you'll regret it repeatedly , if you want to prevent things rolling off, seal the back edge and tilt the bench ever so slightly towards the rear.

[Dave Turner]

(*steve) I agree with your comment about bench heights. I'm somewhat over 6ft (1.8288m  ) and find that at a "standard" bench height of 900mm I have 30 minutes before my back gives out. It takes even less to go when doing the washing up because I'm bent over even further; that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! Seated of course your forearms need to be able to rest comfortably  for accurate soldering.

Bear in mind that I'm in the UK. About 30 years I was on an study panel  to recommend good practice for desk and seat heights which would be ergonomically suitable for as many people as possible in an office environment. Fundamentally seats and armrests, if provided, had to be height adjustable. Footrests should be provided if requested and ideally desks should be height adjustable too. Sadly the word 'ideally' ought to have read 'must'.

Sound daft?

Only 5 or so years later larger companies are into island desk arrangements because it projects a corporate environment and reduces real estate requirements for the workers. One size fits all again almost regardless of practical requirements. Seats were adjustable but desks were a uniform height. A number of my colleagues then and since couldn't even get their knees under their desks but any complaints were met by the statement It's within regulations

On a lighter note in the UK, during conversion to metric one would often hear plywood advertised as 8ft x 4ft x 12mm. It is no coincidence that equivalent panels are now 2440 x 1220mm.

[MasterBuilder]

My tip,

Use glue on the legs and frame, it makes the bench sturdier and more rigid.

I wouldn't use shop bought furniture, a bench should be built big and heavy.

[electr_peter]

Quick look on dropcam via eebblog site:

• Before small bench was built - all benches are crowded except for mailbag bench in the middle
• After small bench was built - all benches are crowded including mailbag bench in the middle

I think this is caused by strong workspace inflation among technical circles. If given initial workspace space is bigger, phenomenon can even cause hyperinflation

[German_EE]

Yes, I think that Dave has a problem keeping the lab tidy, one look at the Signal Path premises by way of a comparison should convince anyone of this. Some time ago I got into the habit of cleaning my workshop every Friday including putting away all the tools and running around the place with a vacuum cleaner. This increases the girlfriend acceptance factor but then my workshop is at home rather than in an office block.

[LektroiD]

Yes, I think that Dave has a problem keeping the lab tidy, one look at the Signal Path premises by way of a comparison should convince anyone of this. Some time ago I got into the habit of cleaning my workshop every Friday including putting away all the tools and running around the place with a vacuum cleaner. This increases the girlfriend acceptance factor but then my workshop is at home rather than in an office block.

Can't be any worse than Jim Williams' bench...

[nanofrog]

I'll see your Jim Williams and raise you a Bob Pease. 

[Bored@Work]

Hmm, how should I tell you this in the most gentle way? Dave is neither Bob Pease nor Jim Williams.

[LektroiD]

Hmm, how should I tell you this in the most gentle way? Dave is neither Bob Pease nor Jim Williams.

Evidently; his desk is way tidier than theirs...

In point of fact, it is not unreasonable for an engineer to have an untidy desk, if he works alone, then chances are he knows exactly where everything is, and therefore would not hinder his workflow. The amount of times I've tidied up and as a result not been able to find stuff... I'm still looking for my tektronix probe adaptors after my last tidy up!

[German_EE]

Thank you for the Jim Williams video.

[Bored@Work]

Hmm, how should I tell you this in the most gentle way? Dave is neither Bob Pease nor Jim Williams.

Evidently; his desk is way tidier than theirs...

In point of fact, it is not unreasonable for an engineer to have an untidy desk, if he works alone, then chances are he knows exactly where everything is, and therefore would not hinder his workflow. The amount of times I've tidied up and as a result not been able to find stuff... I'm still looking for my tektronix probe adaptors after my last tidy up!

I remember a video where Dave complained he couldn't find one of his tools. And that was before that big cleanup. And I remember another one where he stepped into a hammer, apparently not aware of its presence.

[LektroiD]

Hmm, how should I tell you this in the most gentle way? Dave is neither Bob Pease nor Jim Williams.

Evidently; his desk is way tidier than theirs...

In point of fact, it is not unreasonable for an engineer to have an untidy desk, if he works alone, then chances are he knows exactly where everything is, and therefore would not hinder his workflow. The amount of times I've tidied up and as a result not been able to find stuff... I'm still looking for my tektronix probe adaptors after my last tidy up!

I remember a video where Dave complained he couldn't find one of his tools. And that was before that big cleanup. And I remember another one where he stepped into a hammer, apparently not aware of its presence.

Ouch! I know what it's like to stand on an outward facing garden rake and get bashed around the head by the handle. I can't imagine a hammer is much more fun...

I secretly want to see the hammer video now, it might make me feel better about my rake incident.

[Jorpy]

Hmm, how should I tell you this in the most gentle way? Dave is neither Bob Pease nor Jim Williams.

Evidently; his desk is way tidier than theirs...

In point of fact, it is not unreasonable for an engineer to have an untidy desk, if he works alone, then chances are he knows exactly where everything is, and therefore would not hinder his workflow. The amount of times I've tidied up and as a result not been able to find stuff... I'm still looking for my tektronix probe adaptors after my last tidy up!

I remember a video where Dave complained he couldn't find one of his tools. And that was before that big cleanup. And I remember another one where he stepped into a hammer, apparently not aware of its presence.

Ouch! I know what it's like to stand on an outward facing garden rake and get bashed around the head by the handle. I can't imagine a hammer is much more fun...

I secretly want to see the hammer video now, it might make me feel better about my rake incident.

Here you go
http://youtu.be/T9cMjpCFioQ?list=UUr-cm90DwFJC0W3f9jBs5jA

[Dago]

What do you guys think, how high should the shelf (for measurement equipment) be from the tabletop? I'm designing myself a work bench and already bought a 2000x800mm hardwood tabletop for it. I'm most likely going to make the frame out of 45x45mm aluminum profile such as:


The tabletop is 900mm off from the ground (like Dave recommended), shelf is 400mm deep and half a meter from the tabletop (so 1.4m from the ground), does this sound reasonable? Here's what I have so far (a quick lash-up in solidworks):



I was even thinking of integrating a 19" rack under the table but that's probably being a bit too ambitious.

[nanofrog]

What do you guys think, how high should the shelf (for measurement equipment) be from the tabletop?

450 - 500mm would be where you'd want it IMHO.

Any reason not to use adjustable shelving rails and shelf brackets or tabs attached to the structural members that will hold the shelves?

I'm most likely going to make the frame out of 45x45mm aluminum profile...

How will it attach together, particularly where an end butts up against the side of another?

The tabletop is 900mm off from the ground (like Dave recommended), shelf is 400mm deep and half a meter from the tabletop (so 1.4m from the ground), does this sound reasonable?

If you plan to stand or use a stool, this is fine. If you'll be using a standard office chair, it's too high. You'd want it ~750mm tall for a standard height office chair.

Here's what I have so far (a quick lash-up in solidworks):

.

What about bracing near the bottom (2 sides & back). That will leave the front open to get a chair underneath it.

FWIW, I'm in the process of building a bench myself out of welded steel (pics). Not the most recent, but will give you an idea.

The attached image is essentially how I've built it in terms of layout, only the second cross member on the bottom (one in the middle you'd be able to put your feet on) wasn't installed.

[Dago]

What do you guys think, how high should the shelf (for measurement equipment) be from the tabletop?

450 - 500mm would be where you'd want it IMHO.

Any reason not to use adjustable shelving rails and shelf brackets or tabs attached to the structural members that will hold the shelves?

I'm most likely going to make the frame out of 45x45mm aluminum profile...

How will it attach together, particularly where an end butts up against the side of another?

The tabletop is 900mm off from the ground (like Dave recommended), shelf is 400mm deep and half a meter from the tabletop (so 1.4m from the ground), does this sound reasonable?

If you plan to stand or use a stool, this is fine. If you'll be using a standard office chair, it's too high. You'd want it ~750mm tall for a standard height office chair.

Here's what I have so far (a quick lash-up in solidworks):

What about bracing near the bottom (2 sides & back). That will leave the front open to get a chair underneath it.

FWIW, I'm in the process of building a bench myself out of welded steel (pics). Not the most recent, but will give you an idea.

The attached image is essentially how I've built it in terms of layout, only the second cross member on the bottom (one in the middle you'd be able to put your feet on) wasn't installed.

I could add bracing yeah, a good idea. I just wasn't sure if I'd need it since the table will not really see a sideways load. For assembling the table with this type of profile there are massive amounts of different kind of fittings http://www.minitecframing.com/PDF/CATALOG%20332.PDF and I didn't feel like modeling them

For the shelf I thought that just screwing it to the ends of the profiles would be the sturdiest and simplest, rather than buying some kind of shelf fittings for it. I was thinking about adjustability though but not convinced I'd ever adjust it.

About the height, I currently do not have a chair that would fit a high table like that. I was thinking of maybe a saddle chair, since I pretty much never lean back when tinkering. But my current whatever Ikea desk I use is something like 700-750mm high and it's just too low. When I use a regular stool or an office chair in the lowest position I still need to hunch a lot when I'm tinkering with SMD stuff so I definitely want it higher.

[nanofrog]

I could add bracing yeah, a good idea. I just wasn't sure if I'd need it since the table will not really see a sideways load. For assembling the table with this type of profile there are massive amounts of different kind of fittings http://www.minitecframing.com/PDF/CATALOG%20332.PDF and I didn't feel like modeling them

I was aware of the track, but not all of the hardware connectors they offered. Rather nice, but does look to be on the expensive side if you're forced to use their hardware.

Whats the track cost where you are?

For the shelf I thought that just screwing it to the ends of the profiles would be the sturdiest and simplest, rather than buying some kind of shelf fittings for it. I was thinking about adjustability though but not convinced I'd ever adjust it.

Easier than I'd thought (square nut in the channel + bolt + L bracket), and hopefully not that expensive as you wouldn't have to buy the stuff out of the catalog. 

About the height, I currently do not have a chair that would fit a high table like that. I was thinking of maybe a saddle chair, since I pretty much never lean back when tinkering. But my current whatever Ikea desk I use is something like 700-750mm high and it's just too low. When I use a regular stool or an office chair in the lowest position I still need to hunch a lot when I'm tinkering with SMD stuff so I definitely want it higher.

Mine's currently set at 32.25"/825mm. I find it fine with a normal chair, but that's me. There's another 1.5"/38mm or so of adjustable height I can get out of it as well if I wish.

FWIW, I cut the legs at 30"/750mm, and the rest of it comes from the top thickness and self leveling mounts, which is where the adjustment comes in (welded a nut on the inside of the angle iron). Added carpet sliders on the bottom to make it easier to move about instead of wheels (easier to attach IMHO using the welded nut).

[Dago]

I could add bracing yeah, a good idea. I just wasn't sure if I'd need it since the table will not really see a sideways load. For assembling the table with this type of profile there are massive amounts of different kind of fittings http://www.minitecframing.com/PDF/CATALOG%20332.PDF and I didn't feel like modeling them

I was aware of the track, but not all of the hardware connectors they offered. Rather nice, but does look to be on the expensive side if you're forced to use their hardware.

Whats the track cost where you are?

For the shelf I thought that just screwing it to the ends of the profiles would be the sturdiest and simplest, rather than buying some kind of shelf fittings for it. I was thinking about adjustability though but not convinced I'd ever adjust it.

Easier than I'd thought (square nut in the channel + bolt + L bracket), and hopefully not that expensive as you wouldn't have to buy the stuff out of the catalog. 

About the height, I currently do not have a chair that would fit a high table like that. I was thinking of maybe a saddle chair, since I pretty much never lean back when tinkering. But my current whatever Ikea desk I use is something like 700-750mm high and it's just too low. When I use a regular stool or an office chair in the lowest position I still need to hunch a lot when I'm tinkering with SMD stuff so I definitely want it higher.

Mine's currently set at 32.25"/825mm. I find it fine with a normal chair, but that's me. There's another 1.5"/38mm or so of adjustable height I can get out of it as well if I wish.

FWIW, I cut the legs at 30"/750mm, and the rest of it comes from the top thickness and self leveling mounts, which is where the adjustment comes in (welded a nut on the inside of the angle iron). Added carpet sliders on the bottom to make it easier to move about instead of wheels (easier to attach IMHO using the welded nut).

The 45x45mm profile is "around" 20€/m (without VAT, around 7.5$/feet). Depends on the version, there are ones with different channel shapes inside (different strength? I dunno). The table will use something like 8-10m of profile depending on the bracing and stuff (probably I'll use some thinner/cheaper profile for the bracing). The accessories/fastening elements seem to be surprisingly cheap. For example the 45mm angle bracket is under 4€ each.

[janengelbrecht]

I'll see your Jim Williams and raise you a Bob Pease. 

Jim Williams Hmm.... how he gets any work done beats me...

[nanofrog]

The 45x45mm profile is "around" 20€/m (without VAT, around 7.5$/feet). Depends on the version, there are ones with different channel shapes inside (different strength? I dunno). The table will use something like 8-10m of profile depending on the bracing and stuff (probably I'll use some thinner/cheaper profile for the bracing). The accessories/fastening elements seem to be surprisingly cheap. For example the 45mm angle bracket is under 4€ each.

Ouch, that does seem pricey to me.

Thinking you might be able to find a ready-made, U-assemble steel bench with top for that, if not less. Looking for a used one locally could yield better prices as well as a nicer bench (might have drawers for example ).

For the table itself in the pics, materials and labor ($50 in welding labor, $50 for the top, $35 steel, $40 in leveling mounts, $60 in paint IIRC, and fasteners), came in at ~$240 - 250 tops, so ~200EUR when it was all said and done. Thinking that's about half what you're looking at in T slot + brackets alone (based on same profile throughout).