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

[EEVblog]

Dave shows you how to build a small electronics work bench, along with tips on ESD matting and setup.

Rubber ESD Matting in Australia: http://www.oritech.com.au/productDetail.aspx?productID=20508&name=ESD-Mat-Dual-Layer-600mm-X-10M-Blue

Other related bench videos:
Island Bench Build:
New Lab Bench Install:
ESD Matting upgrade:
Old Lab Bench Build:

[zapta]

Carpentry with metric dimensions, how confusing.

;-)

[Jaunedeau]

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.

[EvilGeniusSkis]

Carpentry with metric dimensions, how confusing.

;-)

i was just about to say the same thing. In Canada while we officially use the SI system imperial still gets used in many situations (no doubt thanks to you yanks [is it sad that I had to google Gwen Stefani to figure out how to spell "doubt"? ]) carpentry being one. I am the kind of person that will use whatever measurement on the ruler is easier.   

[JohnS_AZ]

Man, I love seeing someone talk ESD on youtube who actually gets it right! Nice Dave!

[JohnS_AZ]

By the way ... a good U.S. source for mat and other ESD related supplies is All-Spec ...

http://www.all-spec.com/

I've used them for ages and have never had any issues.

[ktrussell]

Thanks for this tip. I have recently moved to a "new to me" house which has a great shop but is not equipped with benches. I plan to follow pretty much what Dave did in his lab.

Dave, thanks for these videos!

[VK3DRB]

Carpentry with metric dimensions, how confusing.

;-)

Not at all. Metric is superior to ye olde imperial system is a number of ways, one being THE WORLD USES IT except for Liberia, USA and Burma. If the US can't cope with conforming to an easier to use system and wants to remain a minority, that's not Dave's problem. Nor do we care. 

[miguelvp]

superior, inferior, irrelevant.
a measure is a measure not one better than the other.

well, as long as you measure twice

[TMM]

If you use water based polyurethane it won't stink up the place, much better than the old oil-based clears. I've done many desks inside no probs  . Dries reasonably quick too.

Carpentry with metric dimensions, how confusing.

;-)

[VK3DRB]

Excellent video Dave. Thanks! I have to build some major benching soon, so your video was useful. The pine top was a bit pricey, but it is strong.

A friend made a fabulous ELECTRICALLY HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE workbench using an low cost plain exterior door as the 2040 x 820 bench top. It worked a treat. For some reason it has a remote control. The advantages of height control is it is ergonomic, you can work standing up rather than sitting on your behind all day and it facilitates working on large height devices as well as flat devices.

[miguelvp]

If you use water based polyurethane it won't stink up the place, much better than the old oil-based clears. I've done many desks inside no probs  . Dries reasonably quick too.

Carpentry with metric dimensions, how confusing.

;-)

3890 what?

Since that picture means it's 359.1321875 cm or 3.591321875 meters it makes no sense.

[TMM]

[VK3DRB]

superior, inferior, irrelevant.
a measure is a measure not one better than the other.

well, as long as you measure twice

Not irrelevant. Just look at the left hand/right hand drive, and the 110V / 240V incompatibilities. Ignoring some inherent protectionism, such stupidity has cost the world's economies dearly. Ease of use and standardisation are everything.

Anyone doing PCBs outside Liberia, USA and Burma who are working with imperial measurements should stop living in the past and get with the modern world. At my workplace, it is mandatory that all PCB designs are done using metric throughout, as defined by our company's PCB Design Standards.

Agree with the measuring twice. Nothing worse than that feeling one gets when cutting some timber too short when the hardware stores are closed and the timber is not cheap. Been there, done that, not fun.

[bookaboo]

Does anyone know where to get that matting in the EU? Would be happy to buy a 10m roll or whatever.

[miguelvp]

Yes you are

[delmadord]

Dave, you have quite revealed on 16:37 what you have tried to hide on 11:28. Now we can do conspiracies 

[Richard Crowley]

Carpentry with metric dimensions, how confusing.

Essentially, Dave's "900mm" bench is 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high.

Here in North America, a lumber ("timber") company named Simpson makes a vast range of steel connectors for construction framing.  One of the pieces, RTC42 is brilliant for making benches and shelves. It takes a "4x4" upright piece (bench leg or shelf upright) and "2x4" horizontal pieces and makes constructing good sturdy benches/shelves bog-simple.

[SNGLinks]

Dave mentioned putting a power strip under the bench at the back. If the bench is up against a wall how do you route the power cables from the equipment to the strip?

[ProBang2]

Hello.

Does anyone know where to get that matting in the EU? Would be happy to buy a 10m roll or whatever.

Perhaps this?

http://www.shop.geltron.de/en/esd-matte-1000mm-hellblau-10m-rolle_p40354.html

10m rolls are available in 600, 1000 and 1200mm. Blue, grey and black.

Greetings,

Hartmut

[guenter]

Or This?

http://www.bjz.de/warengruppe/show/104010000

Günter

[IanJ]

Hi all,

I can see why Dave never installed lower bars on the legs on most of his benches as you just end up hitting you shins when you go to sit down......however, it's a great idea to put them on the the back and sides and then install a shelf half the depth of the bench for extra storage (i.e. at the back half). Best of both worlds.

Ian.

[adam1213]

I would like to see a video of installing a powerboard under the bench

[robbak]

Oh drat: the live cam doesn't extend into that corner! I wanted to check if the new bench had survived a day without assuming a bench's normal role - a bench-height single-shelf storage unit.

[lapm]

Does anyone know where to get that matting in the EU? Would be happy to buy a 10m roll or whatever.

I'm pretty sure any reputable large distributor of electronics has them. At least Digikey has nice selection...

So check your favorite component distributor...