While I haven't built my bench yet, I've been planning it a Looooong
time. I've assembled this list from having lived in my dads shop for 15
years and worked at various research labs for 20....
1. Desktop - I prefer a deep top, on the order of 40" or more. Reason
being that when test equipment becomes attached to larger devices (i.e.,
TVs), space becomes a premium, and laying a schematic on a hot chassis
is not a good idea
.
2. I like the top shelf idea but would use it for test gear that
doesn't need to be watched or interacted with a lot while in use. Scope
and logic analyzer on the bottom, Frequency generators, PS, etc on the
top. A verticle shelf of test gear along the side works good for me.
3. Lots of outlets/wire mold. Wiremold along the back with 1" x1"
panduit wireway to keep the power cords routed.
4. Power cut off switches for parts of the bench.
5. power conditioning for all of the bench (CV transformer/harmonic
neutralizer), Also GFI protected.
6. Work lights - magnifier, fluorescent and incandescent. Why
incandescent? Floursecent are such great RF radiators and influence some
of the gear I design/work on.
7. VTVM and DMM (I am old fashioned - Depending on what I am measuring,
I like a meter that can withstand "hitting the wrong testpoint"
8. Test lead, jumper clips hanger - Use 1"x1" panduit with one side cut
off for hanging test leads.
9. storage shelves. For components, I like 6-9" deep, for test gear,
etc., I like 24" deep.
10. IC storage. I tend to keep lots of ICs around. I like to keep
them in the plastic carrier strips, cut a hole in one end and hang them.
11. PC and inventory control. I know this sounds a bit overboard
but...print out barcode and attach to every spare part before stored.
Scan when used. Keeps an inventory in a DB of parts. You have no idea
how many times it was my job in my dads store to look for a part that he
'knew' he had. Also, since I collect old computer 'stuff', It is nice to
have an inventory list.
12. A separate section or separate bench for 'fabrication' that would
contain drills, hammers, vise, etc.
13. One idea that I saw for a woodwork bench that I like is a number of
verticle, slide out, pegboard pieces (about 2-3' high and 2' deep that
sit under the bench. The are verticle, perhaps tilted back slightly, and
can slide out. Organize tools, whatever. Keeps them from being piled
in drawers and saves time hunting them.
14. Get service data in electronic format. Get a scanner and PC. I
grew up with and still have tons of service manuals and data books.
Using PDF versions of all this stuff saves time and space. If I could
only get my 15 yo data books on DVDs I'd be soooo happy...
15. Antistaic mat on benchtop and also floor pad (or paint, depending on
situation)
16. I have often found the need for a hefty heat gun (in lieu of a
reflow furnace, and also to remove components in mass...lol)
17. A 'L' shaped bench works better for me than a long one. Also, ppl
sometimes put pegboard on the back of benches to hang stuff..I don't
like that because I don't like reaching across my work. Personal
preference.
18. If you do serious work, I recommend mainstream test gear (HP, Tek,
Fluke, etc.). You can trust what you measure. I know cost is an issue,
which is why I'd get good used gear. For example, I'd get a good used
Tek 465B, 475 or 485 over the newer DSOs. Most of the time, I don't
need color, I don't need it connected to my network, etc. (But I do have
one just in case...)
I've build this bench many times in my head and even started it in my
basement, but never time to finish.
Good luck
John
