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Workbench layout for avionics/electronics?

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Paul Weismann

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: Workbench layout for avionics/electronics?

Does anyone have good ideas or fundamental principles for building an electronics workbench?



I have heard use carpet on the worksurface, make sure to have outlets obviously, parts bins etc.



Anyone have pics of their favorite layouts?



look forward to seeing what people are using to work on.



PW

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brian

Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Sacramento, California, USA

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:24 pm Post subject: Workbench layout for avionics/electronics?

On Jul 25, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Paul Weismann wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <pw(at)weismannassociates.com>



 Does anyone have good ideas or fundamental principles for building  

 an electronics workbench?



 I have heard use carpet on the worksurface, make sure to have  

 outlets obviously, parts bins etc.



 Anyone have pics of their favorite layouts?


	


It all depends on what you are doing. One thing I have done in many  

of my benches in the past and still like to do is to put a 1' deep  

shelf about 18" above the bench. It should slope forward (part  

nearest you lower than the back) but have a cleat on the leading edge  

to keep stuff from sliding off the shelf onto your work area. This is  

where you put your test gear so it doesn't steal any of your work  

space and is at eye level.



One other thing I prefer is a workbench that is high enough to use  

comfortably when standing. If I want to sit I use a high stool/chair.  

It is amazing how much work you will want to do when standing.



A plug strip along the leading edge of your shelf works well as it is  

then easy to reach the plugs.



I tend to keep my parts bins away from the bench itself but that is  

probably because my shelf space over the bench (within easy reach) is  

already taken.



Brian Lloyd                         361 Catterline Way

brian-yak AT lloyd DOT com          Folsom, CA 95630

+1.916.367.2131 (voice)             +1.270.912.0788 (fax)



I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . .

— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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_________________
Brian Lloyd
brian-yak at lloyd dot com
+1.916.367.2131 (voice) +1.270.912.0788 (fax)

I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . .
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

FLYaDIVE(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:28 pm Post subject: Workbench layout for avionics/electronics?

In a message dated 7/25/06 4:30:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 

pw(at)weismannassociates.com writes:



 	  Quote: 	
		   <pw(at)weismannassociates.com>

  

  Does anyone have good ideas or fundamental principles for building an 

 electronics workbench?

  

  I have heard use carpet on the worksurface, make sure to have outlets 

 obviously, parts bins etc.

  

  Anyone have pics of their favorite layouts?

  

  look forward to seeing what people are using to work on.

  

  PW

============================================
	


Paul:



There are a couple of ideas for you:

1 - I prefer a smooth hard top as apposed to a carpet.

2 - I like the top white in color - Makes things easier to find.

3 - Making things easier to find is also why I do not like the carpet. On a 

hard top you can hear things that drop.

4 - Electrical outlets are a must and they should be UNDER the table and set 

back about 6".  Why?  So the power cords are out of the way.  Away from the 

knees and so you do go dragging them across the top.

5 - You will also need a good Filtered, Stable Power Supply, at least 15 to 

50 Amps in this case MORE is better.  Add up all the current draws from all 

your avionics and use that as a reference. Note: If you have two Coms and each 

draws 10 amps Max ... Remember you will only be transmitting on ONE Com at a 

time.  So use the Receive amperage of the higher of the two units when adding up 

all the items.

6 - Table Top Edging - Around the edge of the workbench install a RAISED - 

ROUND molding, it is known as 3/4 Round.  This will make keeping parts on the 

table easier and the power cords slide easier.

7 - A shelf the full length of the workbench.  This is where you secure the 

solder station UP and Away from fingers.  Also a good place for other meters 

and lights

8 - Lights - Overhead lighting is a must.  As well as a GOOSE NECK / BOOM 

light.  And if you want to go fancy a florescent Ring Light with a Magnifying 

lens in the center ... Got BUCK$ ?

9 - Since you are building an electronic workbench I assume you will be doing 

some soldering.  Get a REAL GOOD solder station.  One that has a linear heat 

control.

The solder station should have a few requirements:

a> Silicon - Heat resistant cords, both for the power and the pencil. So you 

don't burn them.

b> Long Cords - Long enough cords so you can reach either end of the 

workbench OR means to move the station from one end to the other.

c> Means of SECURING the solder station so if you pull on the cord the 

station does NOT fall on the bench (avionics).

d> A WET sponge - This is a cellulose sponge that is particular to a good 

solder station.

e> SILVER PLATED small chisel solder tip.  MUST BE PLATED!  It will last 

forever.

f> Solder 63/37 Eutectic size: 0.063"  Get a Pound, it also will last forever.

10 - VICES - Yes, I have a few, but you might want one or two.  The vices are 

mounted at the ends of the bench so you can hole two connectors and solder 

Plug A Pin 1 to Plug B Pin 1 makes it easier in keeping connectors straight

11 - There are also a few tricks using a dowel (COMB BOARD) board to keep 

wires straight.



OK, enough, now I'm getting into techniques and all you asked was about a 

workbench.



Best of luck,



Barry

"Chop'd Liver"



"Show them the first time, correct them the second time, kick them the third 

time." 

Yamashiada

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ceengland(at)bellsouth.ne
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:55 pm Post subject: Workbench layout for avionics/electronics?

Brian Lloyd wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <brian-yak(at)lloyd.com>

 On Jul 25, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Paul Weismann wrote:



> 

> <pw(at)weismannassociates.com>

>

> Does anyone have good ideas or fundamental principles for building  

> an electronics workbench?

>

> I have heard use carpet on the worksurface, make sure to have  

> outlets obviously, parts bins etc.

>

> Anyone have pics of their favorite layouts?

 It all depends on what you are doing. One thing I have done in many  

 of my benches in the past and still like to do is to put a 1' deep  

 shelf about 18" above the bench. It should slope forward (part  

 nearest you lower than the back) but have a cleat on the leading edge  

 to keep stuff from sliding off the shelf onto your work area. This is  

 where you put your test gear so it doesn't steal any of your work  

 space and is at eye level.



 One other thing I prefer is a workbench that is high enough to use  

 comfortably when standing. If I want to sit I use a high stool/chair.  

 It is amazing how much work you will want to do when standing.



 A plug strip along the leading edge of your shelf works well as it is  

 then easy to reach the plugs.



 I tend to keep my parts bins away from the bench itself but that is  

 probably because my shelf space over the bench (within easy reach) is  

 already taken.



 Brian Lloyd                         361 Catterline Way

 brian-yak AT lloyd DOT com          Folsom, CA 95630

 +1.916.367.2131 (voice)             +1.270.912.0788 (fax) 


	




When I did consumer electronics repair in another life, I found that a 

smooth surface (tempered masonite, formica, etc) & a rectangular carpet 

sample worked well. I was working on items that weighed between 5 & 100 

lbs, & the loose carpet sample made moving the 'patient' around easy 

while protecting it from scratches & dents when I needed to roll it over 

or stand it on its side. I agree with Brian about test gear location. 

Remote parts location minimizes the number of parts you knock off the 

bench & lose.



All the above might not be an issue if you're just fabricating small 

items, but the slick bench top & loose carpet are a lot easier to clean 

than fixed carpet.



Bench height is very much personal preference. My business partner 

always worked standing or on a high stool; my brain stops functioning if 

I stand in one place for more than 30 seconds.



Oh yeah, a work bench is like the deck behind your house: you always 

wish you had built it just a little bigger......



Charlie

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