Custom electronics bench - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Tetzly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2019, 11:46:31 pm
content: I always wanted one of those industrial quality electronics benches for assembly, tear down, soldering etc...but the price of said desks is always so crazy high it was more just look and dream. So yeah, as the title eludes to, I decided to build one myself. I got a few school tables for cheap, these tables are 1 1/8" thick (about 30mm), and have hard plastic on the edges, they are very solid. I cut one up to make a shelf and two side support pieces. I pocket hole screwed the supports to the shelf. I made a frame for some pegboard out of 3/16" masonite that I cut out of one piece to avoid any joints, and installed that in the back with a pin nailer (finish nails and a hammer would work fine). I painted it all with some cheap "oops" paint from the hardware store. I added a small LED light in there, and hey...it came out pretty nice! Ultimately I will screw the assembled shelf structure down to the top of the desk from underneath, although it is very sturdy and solid just sitting on the table with no fasteners. The only problem is my wife wants it for her stamping and embossing stuff before I even had a home for it, oh well, I'll have to make another one.I cut all the material for this project with just a skilsaw, by clamping a straight edge on the material to act as a guide...my table saw is currently broken, but the cuts came out very clean and straight with patience, a few clamps, and a circular saw. I assemble it with a kreg Jig pocket hole tool, which I highly recommend to anyone, it's very easy to use and the results are fantastic...super strong, no glue(dis-assemble-able, is that a word? lol)...great for assembling work benches and desks, and it's pretty cheap.

author: Silver_Pharaoh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 12:12:44 am
content: Looks good man!

author: Tetzly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 03:28:22 am
content: Quote from: Silver_Pharaoh on February 25, 2019, 12:12:44 amThanks mate! I just put it in my new room, it almost looks too good to work on...lol.

author: ranthalion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 03:34:54 am
content: Nice! I'd like to see it loaded with projects and equipment.

author: Tetzly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 03:51:11 am
content: Quote from: ranthalion on February 25, 2019, 03:34:54 amThank you! I can't wait honestly. I have been working on a new work space for the last month or so and I am just about finished...(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/new-electronics-lab-layout-design-the-ultimate-space/).I'll post a video of the move in, although my equipment is pretty basic, I'm just an excited beginner and all. It should still be a fun video.

author: aiq25
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 04:34:15 am
content: Looks very nice. Good job!

author: austfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 03:36:58 am
content: Great work. I’d never heard of those Kreg tools before, but looks like I’ll have to add one to my workshop sometime soon.

author: Conrad Hoffman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 04:10:15 am
content: Very nice. Looks a lot like our benches at work You could put a small fan behind the rear panel to draw away solder fumes.

author: Tetzly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 05:35:59 am
content: Quote from: austfox on February 26, 2019, 03:36:58 amThanks sir. I got one of the basic 39 dollar kits for Christmas and used it for the first time on this project...and as a carpenter I approve big time. Any old C clamp works with this basic kit by the way, quick clamps work fine too....don't need to buy the special kreg one.Quote from: Conrad Hoffman on February 26, 2019, 04:10:15 amThanks sir. My new room has a built in fume extraction system, but I love the idea. I was thinking of things I could build into it, it's kind of tough not having ever worked in the field and still being somewhat new to electronics though. I was thinking integrated testing stuff...routing out area for custom flush mount DC power, custom digital display for metering or something.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 05:59:49 am
content: That looks nice!I am always amazed at what you can build with just a skilsaw. This is one of the most basic tools I have never owned or operated. I actually don't trust myself with one, but that might be my excuse for buying several other tools to get around not having a skilsaw.