Clean desk and organizing tools in a dusty environment

[mindentropy]

Hi,

I live in a dusty environment where significant dust layers form on surfaces if I don't clean for a week. Due to this it is difficult to keep my test equipment, boards and soldering stations on the desk. It becomes annoying to move all the equipment back and forth from the cupboard every time I want to use it.

I have a problem where if I don't have my equipment out in the open I lose complete interest and motivation.

Could people share ideas on how to keep the desk organized and clean without much effort in an environment similar to mine?

Thanks.

[jpanhalt]

I have a problem where if I don't have my equipment out in the open I lose complete interest and motivation.

THAT is the problem.  Put it away and forget it, or get used to dusting it.

[PlainName]

Perhaps a cabinet with removable or roll front to house the equipment on your desk. Bonus is you can keep stuff you don't care about getting dusty on the top to hide the dust you'd otherwise have to sweep off

Might have to consider airflow if the kit gets hot when on, though.

[SmallCog]

Throw a sheet over the bench when you’re not using it.

Maybe consider methods to clean the air, for both your hobby and health.

[Stray Electron]

Throw a sheet over the bench when you’re not using it.

Maybe consider methods to clean the air, for both your hobby and health.

  +1 on both suggestions. 

   An old plastic table cloth or even just a sheet of Visqueen should work. Very large (house sized) heavy duty sheets of Visqueen are CHEAP in stores that carry home building supplies. They're placed on the ground before that slab is laid and are used to prevent moisture from coming into the building from the earth below it.

    Spend the money and buy a decent room air filter, preferably one with a HEPA filter, your lungs will thank you.

   Where is all of the dust coming from? You need work on eliminating it at it's source.

[Ian.M]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/dust-cover-for-workbench/

[tszaboo]

Air cleaner with HEPA filter. Robot vacuum. Total of ~ 500 EUR or so.
But its better to get rid of the problem.

[all_repair]

Curtain up your work area so minimise free air movement that bring in the dust.  Put a air cleaner inside the curtain, and another one outside as well.  Then put sticky mat at the entrance of the work area opening.  Don't and resist doing dusty work inside the "clean" zone.

[mindentropy]

Thanks for the ideas.I think a clean thin bed sheet to cover my equipment when I am not using would do the trick.

Most of the dust comes from gusty wind and also high traffic next to my home. My work area window has curtains but I still see a layer of dust on my table and that would form on my boards too if left unused.