Buying a work bench for electronics (Europe/Southwest Europe) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ironcurtain
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 02:32:28 pm
content: Heya,I'm expanding my very modest home electronics lab and my current custom-made desk/bench (made from Ikea parts) is becoming obsolete. The shelving won't fit any deep equipment like PSUs nor moderately large (height-wise) tools like scopes.I'm looking for something that has shelving similar to this:Unfortunately after calling the distributor I was told the price tag oscillates around 1000 EUR. What are my other options?I found cheaper solutions like these could also work, but it's not clear whether I could expand the shelving with additional shelves or if I'm stuck with what they provide. I also don't like the first level being so close to the table level.Any tips welcome!

author: London Lad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 03:53:08 pm
content: I use the blue stuff (rapid racking) you can add shelves and position them where you want.You can also get them in a Formica top which is much better than the MDF version shown in your pic.They are not perfect but V good value for money

author: ironcurtain
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 04:45:53 pm
content: Formica? You mean melamine?As for the shelves, do they have matching structures? I mean, you can get the exact size for the bench (length-wise) and the height of your choosing?How do you attach them?I need to inquiry about the fancy ones, but it seems overkill for a hobbyist.Edit:You meant MDF. Still confused about how to attach the shelves... plus most of them are quite tall. This bench is 1675mm:http://www.rapidracking.com/rapid-1-heavy-duty-work-stations-281675w-29-with-full-lower-shelf_WS2-pbe.htmlI can't see any shelves available shorter than these ones:http://www.rapidracking.com/rapid-1-heavy-duty-281980h-x-1830w-29-blue-5-melamine-shelves_NR16665B-M-pbe.html?finalCatString=8689762748006000020%3B8689762748006000417&viewSize=30The added height of both is more than the height of my ceiling... Of course I know they could be sawed to fit, but seems less optimal. They come with rubber legs too, it does not seem to have threaded/drilled legs all the way down.Quote from: London Lad on May 16, 2014, 03:53:08 pm

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 06:23:11 pm
content: Quote from: ironcurtain on May 16, 2014, 04:45:53 pmSame stuff, just different brand names.Are you up for DIY or only interested in something premade you only need assemble?Premade isn't exactly cheap (new), but there are a lot less expensive alternatives than those aimed at the electronics industry. Shop tables/workbenches for garages as you've been looking at are one way. Used furniture, even a proper electronics workbench, would be another alternative if you can find something close enough you can go pick up (freight charges tend to get ugly). I found used office furniture the best source in my case, but it was a starting point per se in a DIY bench project.As per DIY'ing one, there's all kinds of options. Wood or steel for frames, premade or DIY tops (I prefer premade; found them to be cheaper, particularly if you want melamine), ... Comes down to skills and tooling available to you IME. Personally, I went this route. Built the frames out of steel, and bought used desk tops (restaurant table tops are another alternative as they're thick and sturdy, and can be had reasonably) for tables. Added on premade garage adjustable shelving supports to steel uprights that bolt to the tables, and bought premade melamine covered shelving board for shelves (only had to cut it to length, and strengthened it with some angle iron). Not sure about cost effectiveness for your location, but might be worth looking into if your comfortable with this approach.

author: gmit77
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 07:45:53 pm
content: build your own work bench which fit to your size requrement and then buy some ESD table mat and ESD accessoriesthey are cheap to ship due to the small size and weight.in case of need we can help!just tell me your top bench size and I'll send you some pricingciao

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2014, 11:32:02 pm
content: Quote from: gmit77 on May 16, 2014, 07:45:53 pm+1. You're not going to get exactly what you want at a price you can afford unless you build exactly what you need. Almost all the work space in my office/workshop is custom built on the cheap (compared to buying prebuilt) with melamine, MDF, 2X4s and brackets from the home improvement store. Only the 3' by 6' teacher's desk that holds my ham radio equipment is prebuilt and I got that for a song from a thrift shop. Think about what you want and draw scale to see if it will fit into your space. Plus, there is the satisfaction of DIY. There is a thread about what your workbench looks like --https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/whats-your-work-benchlab-look-like-post-some-pictures-of-your-lab/Go see what other people have done, including my own humble offering. In the immortal words of Nike, "Just do it!"

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 12:11:36 am
content: You can get a freestanding shelf that suits your equipment needs then put any sized plain work bench or desk in front of it. This is a really cheap and flexible solution.Some timber suppliers offer a service where they cut mdf to size for you. So if you have a source of right angle shelving and some tools and a hardware store nearby you can make anything. If stability is an issue you can attach the shelf to the desk.

author: theatrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 01:05:53 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on May 17, 2014, 12:08:16 amTyping this from a Jerker I've had for about 11 years now - I can second the endorsement.For the lab, I opted for a BenchPro bench:http://www.gotopac.com/Standard_Workbenches_K_Series_s/1460.htmI could easily park my car on it. A bit overkill, but solid and expandable.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 06:03:18 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on May 17, 2014, 12:08:16 amIf you pick one up bring some help to move it or to dismantle it.QuoteThat one got replaced by Fredde - as bad as Fredrik.

author: London Lad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 09:03:57 am
content: Quote from: ironcurtain on May 16, 2014, 04:45:53 pmI meant Formica but I guess melamine is the same stuff. MDF is what's shown it your picture, horrible for electronics type work unless completely covered.The shelves consist of 5 parts, front, back, 2 sites and the actual shelf. You can move them up and down into any of the key hole slots in the uprights.You can cut the uprights down with a hacksaw if you wish.Don't buy the ones with a floor level shelf as shown in your picture, it gets in the way of your feet!

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 09:17:00 am
content: Quote from: ironcurtain on May 16, 2014, 02:32:28 pmI've got a couple of the largest RapidRacking benches (WS3M-B, 2.4M) as shown - bought about 10 years ago - these aren't cheap but have been fantastic.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 11:51:04 am
content: It is not very difficult to create a wooden frame with a table top. For stability you could anchor it to the wall. If have such a setup for many years.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 12:02:40 pm
content: What I did, though it proved a bit more expensive than I intended, was buy a ready-made solid desk/table with three drawers and then use a thick pine board on top and built a shelf on this and added lots of sockets as well as metal shielding (under/behind the wood so I don't earth myself without meaning to). I also wired in a residual current device and a separate filter for all the mains sockets. Also an LED strip light under the shelf for good lighting if need be. There should be a photo attached.I think you want more and bigger shelves (I was restricted for space) but the main idea is using a solid standard table as a base will save a lot of DIY work.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 12:51:04 pm
content: Also worth awhile might be to look online esp. for auctions of bankrupt companies.I picked up an Erfi full metal ESD table for less then €100 couple of years ago, they cost new over €2000.In the north of europe these are auction companies like troostwijkhttps://www.troostwijkauctions.comI have no idea which companies do this in the southwest of europe but there must be a lot of these scavengercompanies out there, it is still crisis. Be aware of the extra auction costs of 20% sometimes more, set your price before and stick to it otherwise you sometimes get screwed by stupid people that sometimes bid much then it is worth. I even saw one day a Keithley 2000 multimeter bid of €1400 which is what they cost new.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 10:16:57 pm
content: Total cost of materials to build my bench was approximately $125 USD. My shelves are adjustable and there is a fixed shelf at the bottom. The bench is 34" deep and 8' wide. I have 3 Belkin 6 outlet surge protectors plugged into a large UPS, all salvaged from work. There are good options shown, but if money and space are tight, I still say build to suit.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 10:57:52 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on May 18, 2014, 10:16:57 pmVery nice.BTW, how have you kept the top clean from drips/splashes/splatter (looks like MDF to me)?I've got about that much just in steel (2x tables, one with shelving though).Building the main table is was cheap (~$120 all in, and only ~$30 was steel). Second was even cheaper ($50 for a used desk I used the top and drawers from, only ~$20 in steel, and a few cans of cheap paint). It's the shelving that's really run up the build cost (brackets, upright adjustable rails, and melamine shelf board). Paint too, but that's my fault (used hammer finish which is ~$6 per can, not inexpensive gloss black from dollar/discount stores used on the second table).

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:53:34 pm
content: Mostly being careful but now I have a 3 foot wide ESD mat so that helps. That was an older picture.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 03:54:01 am
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on May 18, 2014, 11:53:34 pmAh, that makes sense.Although my table will clean easily (melamine/formica), it can't take the heat. So 2 layer mat to the rescue in my case as well.

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 12:24:24 pm
content: To throw in some shots with a metal bench mid construction, I'm currently building one out of 40mm box steel, plywood worktop with an ESD mat on the top. The span of the one below is 5m and I've added in three diagonal supports. With these there's around 2mm of flex in the bench with around 220kgs of point load, so plenty strong enough for electronics. There's a fixed shelf below which has enough height for a desktop PC and my temperature chamberThe vertical bars are twinslot shelving wall units ready for shelves which can be reconfigured quickly.I completely agree with the GreyWoolfe-if you need to use all your space, building yourself is definitely the way to go, or at least modifying a base unit

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2014, 12:52:10 pm
content: I'm jealous, DaveI would have loved to build my out of metal as the smaller diameter box steel frame would let my under desk keyboard tray operate better. Alas, no welding skills and I am sure the steel cost a lot more than the wood that my bench is built out of. It looks like you will have an awesome bench when you are finished. Don't forget to post completed pics. I want to see it complete so I can be even more jealous

author: Dinsdale
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2014, 11:40:47 am
content: Wow, Dave, that's really nice! An aircraft carrier sized built-in bench! Is that an acetylene powered 'scope?My bench is a cheap DIY kitchen counter & cabinets. Actually has much more drawer and cabinet space than purpose built lab benches and didn't break the bank. Extra shelf space on the wall is standard brackets and pine board - lots of depth choices.At one company I worked for, I got to spec. my own lab furniture. I got two full-on benches with all accessories, and butcher-block surfaces. They were sexy.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2014, 06:33:48 pm
content: Quote from: gazelle on May 18, 2014, 06:23:18 amThe same system is sold in the US (and possibly elsewhere) as Galant. I have one at home and would recommend it, just be sure to go with the 'A' legs and not the 'T' legs--the A legs are more difficult to adjust, but make for a MUCH more stable desk. I used an 'L' shaped top with extensions on both sides and used a few oftheseand some melamine from from the hardware store to make an elevated shelf for my computer monitors along one side of the L. The other side has wall-mounted adjustable shelves (also from Ikea, because I was lazy and too impatient to build my own).I had originally planned to just build my own desk solution from scratch, but since I rent my home I didn't want to invest too much time and money into a custom setup that I might not be able to fit in the next place I live. The Galant system is very flexible so it will be fairly easy to adapt to a new space by adding or removing components, and considering the time it would have taken to build my own solution it was well worth the money I think.

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 03:43:49 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on May 20, 2014, 12:52:10 pmIt's less expensive than I first thought; around £250 for the steel for the 5m workbench and the second 3m electronics workbench that'll be facing it! Add £50 for plywood sheet and around £200 for the twinslot shelving and brackets, but that's optional... Funny you should mention the keyboard tray-one of the frustrations with my old bench was the 4" wood I had supporting the benchtop which got in the way of shelving and clamp on lights & vices.I like the description of "aircraft carrier sized"-am looking forward to getting my tools set up after two years without a workshop onto 8m of benchtop

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 06:15:52 pm
content: Quote from: DaveW on May 23, 2014, 03:43:49 pmI can imagine.Now the question is, how fast will you fill it all and need more bench space?