Whats your Work-Bench/lab look like? Post some pictures of your Lab.

[Nominal Animal]

yes, my pc is a wooden plank!

I fear it reveals way too much of my own personality, but my first thought was "Hmm.. a tower-type sparse-fin heatsink with a similar size and footprint might suffice even without a fan, considering thermal updraught.. I wonder what the TDP of the processor Anthocyanina uses is?"

Yes, I too love to build my own workstations in unconventional chassises.  I tend to silent/quiet builds, however.

[Anthocyanina]

As someone who runs PCs in cases that have never had the side cover on, I find that presentation so salacious, I'm wondering if it should be illegal.

It is unfortunately much less gracious if you see it complete, with all its noodly appendages flapping around!

I fear it reveals way too much of my own personality, but my first thought was "Hmm.. a tower-type sparse-fin heatsink with a similar size and footprint might suffice even without a fan, considering thermal updraught.. I wonder what the TDP of the processor Anthocyanina uses is?"

Yes, I too love to build my own workstations in unconventional chassises.  I tend to silent/quiet builds, however.

When i bought the parts to build it, i didn't have money for a case, so it lived as a cardboard box for a few days, then i bought a cheap wooden plank and some mounting hardware, and liked how it looked there. That cheap plank got bent by the heat or something, and it was made by many smaller wooden pieces glued together to look like a mosaic or something, so i got a solid plank of harder wood and mounted it like it looks like now. I don't have the tools or skill to make nice looking holes for the cables to go in the back, but i'm ok with it being all noodly!. The ssds are also just flapping around behind the plank, held by the light pressure of the plank against the wall. It's all super sketchy but it works! And of course, googly eyes on the cpu fan! because i like how silly it looks 

oh! and about cpu tdp! it's 65w

[tautech]

The ssds are also just flapping around behind the plank, held by the light pressure of the plank against the wall. It's all super sketchy but it works!

They can get warm so probably not the wisest way to mount them when you consider they are normally screwed to a metal bracket and in relatively free space to help get the heat away. Even fixed to a bracket on the front of your plank would be better than stuffed behind it. 

[Nominal Animal]

And of course, googly eyes on the cpu fan! because i like how silly it looks 

Yup!  On my Linux machines, I use a bootsplash with my mascot Tux (avatar) rolling its eyes in opposite directions.  Still makes me smile..

it's 65w [cpu tdp]

I haven't done open convection cooling for more than 45W TDP, but there are beasts like Noctua NH-P1 (too expensive for my wallet) that may be able to handle it, depending on the exact motherboard and processor.  But the passive ones are heavy, NH-P1 weighing over 1.1 kg alone, so when mounted on a vertical motherboard (with vertical convection airflow), you need to have good metal backplate for it, and even then they may bend and break the motherboard..  No, I do not suggest you try it!

Nowadays, I play much more with ARM-based single-board computers (not Raspberry Pi's –– long story) – especially the ones whose manufacturers push the support into upstream Linux kernels instead of providing their own "forks" whose support is measured in weeks and not years -, and microcontrollers.

I don't have the tools or skill to make nice looking holes for the cables to go in the back

I use a hand drill, the hand-power-only kind, with a toothy disc in the middle that you crank. I live in an apartment, and used to have neighbors who apparently drilled holes in the support structures with a hammer drill as a hobby.  The noise was unbelievable; the entire building rang like a, uh, a hammer drill next to your ear.  A hand drill, a set of drill bits, a nibbler (for metal sheets, like scissors but has support on both sides with a nibbly bit in the middle), and a set of small files is about all I ever use to mod metal chassises, and make wood more holey.  Oh, and pliers.  And Hansaplast universal band-aids, because I always manage to cut my fingertips, and that particular band-aid type helps such papercuts not get so inflamed for me.  (I have posted about that somewhere here.) For drilling in metal, some food-grade mineral oil helps.  I use it, and a beeswax mix, to treat all my wooden surfaces too; I don't like the smelly stuff you can buy off the shelf.

[iJoseph2]

@voltage
Like your powerbar. Can you share more info?
Cheers.

It looks like an IEC PDU of some sort to me. Something like this ..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275548611954

[H.O]

Don't think I've posted an image of my space so here it is:

Room is 12m² (2.4x5m). Bench is built from cheap IKEA desktops but with custom frame to make it more sturdy. I wouldn't mind them being 10cm deeper but it's allright.

[_Wim_]

Don't think I've posted an image of my space so here it is:

Room is 12m² (2.4x5m). Bench is built from cheap IKEA desktops but with custom frame to make it more sturdy. I wouldn't mind them being 10cm deeper but it's allright.

Very nice! And still lots of space for Ebay purchases! 

[tautech]

Don't think I've posted an image of my space so here it is:

Room is 12m² (2.4x5m). Bench is built from cheap IKEA desktops but with custom frame to make it more sturdy. I wouldn't mind them being 10cm deeper but it's alright.

Does H.O have an HD or is it X Plus ?
Nice roomy lab BTW. 

[H.O]

Thanks guys. I find it harder and harder to score anything on EBAY these days - certainly here in the EU.
Scopes are Rigol DS4000 and Siglent SDS 2000X+. I have been drooling over the 2kHD but I REALLY can't justify it. Then again, I can't REALLY justify much of what I have...

[tautech]

Siglent SDS 2000X+. I have been drooling over the 2kHD but I REALLY can't justify it. Then again, I can't REALLY justify much of what I have...

I'm with you on the HD unless you really need the 12 bit but it is a really nice scope and a little smaller than the X Plus and really very quiet.
Only handled this one 350 MHz unit we got in especially for a customer and ATM not planning to stock them as the X Plus offers better bang for buck however customer demand will decide what we do in the end.

[SilverSolder]

Thanks guys. I find it harder and harder to score anything on EBAY these days - certainly here in the EU. [...]

It seems an international thing...   wonder why that is? - too much money circulating, nobody needs to sell their old junk? 

[Detlev]

Hi, everyone,

my second post After I introduced myself, I would like to introduce my little electronics workbench here. Unfortunately I don't have much space, but I also don't have many devices 

On the left the electronics workbench and on the right at the PC workstation.



Many greetings
Detlev

[adauphin]

Finally getting the workstation finished, this area used to be a folding table with the microscopes for the kids, I mostly use the metallurgical scope and I had some of my test equipment in a smaller area.

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I had a local woodshop make a large countertop with a backsplash, along with two side splashes I can attach later but won't have a rolled seam like the rear.

Work table is 32"D x 10'L, with black nebula laminate. I wanted to have the 10' span with no center vertical support so the chairs can slide the full length without hitting your knees.

 I was able to do this with an angled center support and the main framework slightly resembling a wing spar, tapering to the front. I can stand in the middle with barely any sag..definitely solid enough to use the microscopes.

[ Specified attachment is not available ]

I had a different shop cut down a sheet of 3/4" black laminate for shelving and add edge banding.

The metal shelving on the left is all Omniwall and has worked out great. They seem to me more suited for garage organization but I feel the lab environment also has potential with their products.

I have some more to do, need to add a long power strip, get the ESD mounted, some under shelf lights, more hand tooks,etc.

I'm working on modifying a solder wire caddy to hold some hookup wire, will get pics of that when I'm done.

The kids love to get pond and creek critters, and I'm slowly getting them into building some arduino projects. Finally have some space to work on small projects and get myself into trouble...

I wanted to add, none of my electronic gear or even my hobby would be where it is if it weren't for this site. I have been able to gather a wealth of knowledge here to get this underway, and I'm greatly appreciative of all the advice and criticism.

When I sit down with the kids to mess with some electronic experiments, that has been made possible by the EEVblog...many thanks...

[Warhawk]

Guys, I came here for inspiration and have a question. What would you recommend for the shelf system above the workbench?

In last couple posts, I saw that owners have brackets on the wall. I was thinking about adding a custom shelf on my table. Something like this or this.

Honestly, I struggle with extra time therefore adding something that is available would be the easiest solution. I would like to ideally have a shelf where I mount LED lights and can place some smaller test equipment. (e.g. power supply).
Do you think I should go the extra mile and add a custom frame for my current (little) table?

PS: It should also look reasonable. It is home office that I share with my spouse (about 22m2).

[richnormand]

I have two Arlink workbench with shelves similar to your photo.

What I find important is to have access to the back of the instruments, in particular once they are stacked two or three high in their final resting places.....
I installed the bench perpendicular to the wall to allow easy access to the back. Do not put it flush with the wall if you can spare a few tens of cm so you have access to the back even if you have a full size rack instrument on there.

[med6753]

Guys, I came here for inspiration and have a question. What would you recommend for the shelf system above the workbench?

In last couple posts, I saw that owners have brackets on the wall. I was thinking about adding a custom shelf on my table. Something like this or this.

Honestly, I struggle with extra time therefore adding something that is available would be the easiest solution. I would like to ideally have a shelf where I mount LED lights and can place some smaller test equipment. (e.g. power supply).
Do you think I should go the extra mile and add a custom frame for my current (little) table?

PS: It should also look reasonable. It is home office that I share with my spouse (about 22m2).

An alternate. Build your own. My lab is in the living room so neatness is a priority. (This is only part of my entire bench area)

[Messtechniker]

Hi, everyone,

my second post After I introduced myself, I would like to introduce my little electronics workbench here. Unfortunately I don't have much space, but I also don't have many devices 

On the left the electronics workbench and on the right at the PC workstation.

(Attachment Link)

Many greetings
Detlev

EN: Plenty of space on the walls for shelves.
DE: Viel Platz für Regale an den Wänden.

[adauphin]

Guys, I came here for inspiration and have a question. What would you recommend for the shelf system above the workbench?

Before I built mine, these were a couple sites I looked at to get ideas, pricey, but look well built.

https://apmg.co.uk/laboratory-furniture/storage/shelving/

https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/browse/90200123/shelving?page=1

[Miti]

Don't think I've posted an image of my space so here it is:

Room is 12m² (2.4x5m). Bench is built from cheap IKEA desktops but with custom frame to make it more sturdy. I wouldn't mind them being 10cm deeper but it's allright.

Awwww, Maaantis…

[rdl]

If you can put holes in the wall, those dual track standards with folded metal brackets are fantastic. Mine are Rubbermaid bought at Home Depot, but I think everywhere you can find something similar. Only drawback is with MDF shelves they will sag if the spacing is too wide. The wall studs where I have mine are 16" spacing, so not too bad. I still try to put the heaviest stuff directly over a bracket.

[Messtechniker]

Yep. Using the same system.

[themadhippy]

One thing to watch with those dual track shelving systems is on  the cheaper units  you cant move the brackets around easily without loosing the upright supports from the wall as the uprights aint deep enough to let the brackets rotate

[PlainName]

Only drawback is with MDF shelves they will sag if the spacing is too wide

You can put cross piece underneath to prevent sag. If you're clever you can use, say, a 1" or 2" strip edge on at the back (on top) to stop stuff falling off the back of the shelf, and/or the same underneath at the front to hide under-shelf lights.

[Warhawk]

Dear fellow hobbyists, thank you for your tips. You helped me to decide. I will use the wall-mount rack system as e.g. user rdl mentioned. I am short on time, short on space, but will make it!
Happy new year everyone.

[jasonRF]

Over the holiday I updated two laptops I inherited from my daughters (replaced spinning disks with SSDs, increased RAM), so now I have a dedicated 14" 13.3” touchscreen for my Picoscope 5244B.  The computers are 6ish years old - both girls got new computers when they went off to college.  I really like the space now, but it is almost never this clean!

jason