Workstation design ideas

[adauphin]

I have an area in my basement I would like to turn into a small workstation/lab which will also be used for school tasks. The area in question is roughly 10'x9' and the workstation will be along two adjacent walls, with the work surface being 10'x5'.

I thought about having a laminate countertop made with a recess cutout in the corner for a desktop PC/monitor, this is where I would like some input.

My plan is to have the countertop made to a depth of 30" on the long side, and maybe 26-28" on the shorter side which would allow for any shelving to either be mounted to the rear or free-standing, would most likely have uprights secured to the rear with 8-12" shelves. This area will house two microscopes, a 23" monitor for the scopes, as well as a corner desktop PC. I wanted to have the metallurgical scope on the short side and the biological scope on the longer side, but not sure yet, still need room for the oscilloscope, PSU, soldering station.

The kids are liking the microscopes as well as getting into the arduino kits.

My main questions are, should I have a backsplash or will that get in the way? Would also need to mount a good electrical outlet strip. Are there shelving kits I can purchase that members have used or am I better off with some heavy-duty stuff from the box stores? I used the box store shelving on my last bench and worked out great, but looking for something more lab specific if poss.

Open to all suggestions and criticism. Curious to what others have done with any unforeseen pitfalls.

This is a rough sketch of the work area.

[Conrad Hoffman]

I've never seen a workbench that was too deep, but lots that were too shallow. I like those plastic inserts so you can put holes in the rear and drop the line cords down to power strips on the floor or wall. My needs are different because I have to accommodate electronic test equipment, but I also have a computer and microscopes. I don't use any shelves but stack equipment and use a U-shaped riser where I need it for a couple levels of storage. High above my bench are bookshelves, two rows, because you can never have enough books. Not everything is on the 'net, nor is the depth and history always good enough. It was clean at one time, but that never lasts.  http://www.conradhoffman.com/NewBench.jpg

[Jester]

It sounds like you plan to place your DVM’s etc on the shelving behind the counter top to allow for a generous useable workspace?

I recently put something similar together, except my bench top instruments are stacked at the back of the actual countertop and 36” is okay but marginal because some of my older HP instruments are quite deep.

The individually switched 120V bus bar (Amazon) below the Tek scope is really useful, not visible in the image are the 6’ Hammond outlets at the back to plug-in all the instruments. IKEA has some decent LED gooseneck lights that can be aimed where you need the light.

[coromonadalix]

this bench photo is okay,  but the drawers are int the way of your legs and knees = uncomfortable

[jonpaul]

Tips

Avoid device specific woodwork, things change eg PC tower or desktops >>>laptops in the office

Deeper is better, we use 3'...3.5'

Upper shelves can be slightly tilted backwards to avoid equipment from falling forwards

as many outlets as possible, we have Wiremold strips, one below upper shelf and one at back edge, we use the strips with close spaced outlets, 6" even with 24 outlets all seem used at times.

Lighting is critical we used original Luxo duo, with LED replacing the incandescent. 2 per WS position.

Jon

[tmadness]

I completely agree that 30" may get cramped. I'm a believer in standing desks, better for your back and you stave off sitting for 8+ hours of the day.
And go for sturdy legs. The base might even outlast a few bench tops.