How do you keep your bench clean and organized? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:08:54 am
content: My bench is really just two folding tables next to each other. There aren't any shelves. I want everything I need to be readily accessible, but I'm always having to choose between workspace and accessibility. I have all my test equipment on some old laptop docks, but otherwise it's just flat space with a drawer organizer and a few miscellaneous things, like a mug for tools. How do my friends here solve this problem for themselves?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:22:10 am
content: This might help.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/whats-your-work-benchlab-look-like-post-some-pictures-of-your-lab/

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:22:40 am
content: Yep, you need multilayer shelves to store equipment.As for "clean" meh, its overrated.Only clean when eitherA) There's zero space left to work inB) You finish a project and are ready to start another.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:27:50 am
content: For one month, I lie to myself and say it's clean enough. Then for one hour, I pick up everything large enough to stand out from the pile, then scoop the rest into the trash, while bitching loudly. That help?

author: Kostas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:34:56 am
content: I don't...

author: croberts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:39:28 am
content: When I was doing the installation of my LED lighting system I bought a Metaltech Baker Scaffold so I could work comfortably when doing work along the ceiling. When I'm not using the scaffold for that work I use it as a test bench. I plan to eventually have shelves supported by the end rails. The scaffold has four locking wheels so the test bench can be stationary or rolled to the work. There is a handhold in the scaffold floor (bench work surface) for removing the floor to change the heighth and I find that opening to be handy for quickly gathering up small parts on the benchtop. I just hold a drawer from the storage area under the opening and with a sweep of the hand the parts are in the drawer. I have attached some photos and as you can see I don't have much equipment (yet).

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:43:29 am
content: I just move stuff until I have enough room to do what I need to. Like how any modern OS uses otherwise unused RAM as disk cache, but immediately returns it for normal use as needed...

author: Anson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 03:47:25 am
content: I use my computer desk as a makeshift bench, very messy. I have a wife who likes to use the computer sometimes and two kids who like to knock everything off the desk. Kids knock it off wife puts it up. Bench is clean. Doesn't help with organizing though...

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 04:02:58 am
content: The best thing I ever bought for organization is the red Harbor Freight tool chest on the right side of the picture. these go on sale for $359.00 fairly frequently. This particular unit has ball bearing drawers and isunbelievablyhigh quality, at least as good as Sears/Craftsman tool chests. The high number of thin drawers is great for organizing all your tools in categories per drawer. I know many would buy a scope or other electronic equipment first with that kind of money but that is no reason to not show it.Example drawer

author: johnwa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 04:22:45 am
content: On the topic of cleaning, one system I have found that works quite well is to keep a large plastic container at the back of the bench. It is then possible to do a quick tidy up by putting away all the tools and cables, then picking out anything of value off the bench and putting it in the container. Anything left on the bench is rubbish and can be swept away, leaving a nice clean bench, ready for the next project. Eventually of course, the container starts overflowing, and then you have to spend a couple of hours sorting through itParts cabinets with little drawers are obviously good for keeping small parts in, and plastic containers within larger drawers are good for things like switches, relays, pots, etc. You do need to occasionally look through your storage system, and see which categories are close to capacity. These should be subdivided or moved into a larger compartment before they start to overflow.A cupboard close to the workbench is good for keeping less frequently used test equipment in. Any test leads with alligator clips can be clipped onto a wire coat hanger so they don't get tangled up.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:17:13 pm
content: Build multi level shelf like most people do. Place the most used tools closest to you and make a permanent location for them. Least used tools can go into drawers. Build up a system where you always return the tools to their original storage and position at the end of day. The idea here is to balance between tool deployment time and level of cleanliness.If you have to start another project, then get clear lunch box from supermarket and store related items in it. You can stack them up and they are transparent case so you don't have to label them. The storage boxes remind you of the numbers of projects you should complete. Also, it keeps dust away and prevent you from sneezing those 0402s away.Allow yourself 10 minutes time to clear your workspace before you wrap up for the day. I know a messy desk is normal but starting off with a clean desk everyday is a bless. 10 minutes is a very short time.There are ways to cheat, you can build drawers or cupboard with doors, stuff your items in there and shut the door, job done. Or like how NiHaoMike mention, shuffle stuff around until you got space. I believe this is how everyone get on with their messy desk, I lived the life before. This is a quick way if you have unlimited space.I used to have a busy desk, dust is a problem as I couldn't use the vacuum cleaner because there were small parts lying around. Since I started practice the 10 minute clearing routine, I have a desk I can wipe and clear dust away easily. This isn't really how you do it but it's more like a self discipline. You might not get as clean as robrenz desk but it gets better everytime you do it.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:28:52 pm
content: Group your projects up on your desk. Never put them away or out of sight. You will forget.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 02:11:14 pm
content: +1 on all of nukie's comments. Here are some more details.Inexpensive cardboard bins that I use to keep parts and projects organized. I use heavy packing tape on the face of the cardboard bins so you can write on it with a sharpie and then wipe it off with IPA.Folding desk top that may be a great feature for those with limited space. This is all built on a standard shelving unit.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 02:40:26 pm
content: I bought plastic bins because silverfish started eating away my boxes and books.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 02:54:32 pm
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 07, 2013, 03:08:54 amEvery month or so the pile of junk on my desk builds up enough that I get sick of clearing a space to move the mouse, so I move everything from the desk, back into my storage cabinet in some semblance of order (at least until I get bored with tidying and just shove the remaining stuff on a shelf), where it stays for a couple of days max until things start making there way back to forming a pile on my desk again. Rinse. Repeat.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 02:55:36 pm
content: Quote from: sleemanj on July 07, 2013, 02:54:32 pmI solved that problem with a laptop. Now I never have to clean!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 04:26:45 pm
content: Where do you put the laptop? You run out of space other than holding it.........

author: Radio Tech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 04:40:23 pm
content: My shop has 3 work benches. Each bench designed for a specific task. Most of the stuff I repair is outdated and ready available parts to replace with do not exist. So I save every piece of electronic gear I can salvage. So a lot of the time I am spent on the design bench making circuits to replace obsolete parts with. Things pile up fast!.This creates a huge problem in the storage area. Stuff piled from the floor to the ceiling. During the winter to come I plan on building a new storage area and stripping a lot of equipment to free up room. Already have boxes of parts stored in every nook and cranny. A lot of times I may have 4 to 6 projects at one time. So next to impossible to keep the benches clean and free of clutter.I had a bit of a cleaning spree last week while off work.

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 05:05:54 pm
content: All of my stuff is packed up getting ready to be moved, but in the past the storage I have used the most that is really cheap, easy to obtain, see-through so you don't have to guess what's in there, spill proof and easy to modify are these things:If you have a friend with little kids you can get the small jars for free, or just eat baby food for a week.and for tools on a desktop these work real well:http://www.cleansweepsupply.com/pages/item-def39000104.htmlThey rotate and are clear so you can see what's in them, and don't take up too much space. These work great for small parts in a limited space, if you have bigger stuff you'll just have to build shelves or have a place where you can add more area.And if you have a 3d printer or after you build one here's something that would be useful to print out, just drill a hole in your pill bottle lid and spin it to what ever value you want and dump it out, you can store most of the values you need in about five bottles:

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 05:11:00 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on July 07, 2013, 04:26:45 pmAtop the pile of crap, obviously...

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 05:16:07 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on July 07, 2013, 05:11:00 pmrecognizable ...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 07:42:17 pm
content: It's been breeding a bit since this was taken, and I've got more confident.

author: envisionelec
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 08:49:19 pm
content: About once a month, I push everything including bits of solder, wire and dust into a large plastic bin then start organizing from largest and tools to smallest. If I lose an important chip, I chalk it up to my irresponsibility and come up with a better method of keeping parts organized. What works for me is to give each project BOM its own bag or bin or even a full shelf of bins or bags. Keep in mind that my projects often contains dozens of line items and aren't part of my experimental stock.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 09:29:06 pm
content: I use a seperate bin for each project. I make a living designing electronics so I have to organise the projects well otherwise I'm toast. The only problem is that when cleaning up old projects I end up with some parts which I'm probably not going to use. I've put those in a box but I guess they'll end up on Ebay when the box is full.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 10:31:22 pm
content: Thanks everyone for the suggestion... I just went to Storables and got a scaffold shelf, and while I was there I made a new friend. Hah. I think it'll do me pretty good, combined with the plastic tubs I already have I might be able to get a handle on this.

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 02:42:21 am
content: I clear the way for my rolley chair using a broom and things towards the walls when I run out of room, then I clean when I have no desk space or I can't maneuver my chair.

author: rexxar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 05:44:41 am
content: General consensus seems to be "Shove it out of the way until there's no room for projects and/or self"My computer desk is also my workbench. There's more than one soldering iron burn in my keyboard, and innumerable bits of solder, wire, and screws that got shoved underneath it. It's a nightmare, really. Once there's no more room, or I need space for a big project, I'll sweep everything on my desk into a cardboard box for later sorting. Usually, the sorting never takes place, so I pick out the missing piece from the last project and throw the rest away.I also have a tendency to put a project to the side "just for a few days" while I tinker with something else. I have various half disassembled projects lying about the floor and my desk that have been there for months. Really oughta do something with those...

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 06:14:29 am
content: Quote from: rexxar on July 08, 2013, 05:44:41 amNever put it off to the side, group up the stuff, put it in a container/box and leave it where you are, otherwise you'll forget

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 06:15:38 am
content: Sadly I live in a small apartment. I also downsized an expensive storage unit so a lot of the stuff is in my living room leaving no room for me to mess with stuff. My bed is my workbench and everything gets dumped into a plastic container when done.I wish I had a real house but the overlords of the mortgage industry seem to think I can't afford a house with lower payments than my apartment.

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 06:17:07 am
content: Quote from: rexxar on July 08, 2013, 05:44:41 amconsider selling junk boxes on ebay for 5$

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 06:18:29 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 08, 2013, 06:15:38 amI have a two bedroom apartment, one of the bedrooms is an office/work area/cat prison when I'm trying to sleep. I'd like a garage or some such, but you know what? This'll do.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 06:27:33 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 08, 2013, 06:18:29 amYeah both rooms at my place are occupied by people and my apartment complex doesn't have any 3 bedroom units at all.We tried to move to another complex earlier this year but we didn't qualify because we made too much money.

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 08:40:27 am
content: Step 1) Check if current state of bench fit definition of "Tidy".Step 2) If not, define "Tidy" as current state of bench.Step 3) Profit!

author: MacAttak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2013, 11:35:46 pm
content: I guess I'm the oddball here. My workbench is a single standard-size desk. Everything is organized and tidy. When tools are not being used they are put away. The only things that stay "out" on the workbench at all times are my soldering station, workpiece magnification/lighting arm, small bench PSU, and a multimeter.I typically try to work on only one project at a time. And I either finish it and store away the leftover parts, or I box it up and put away the box while working on another project.If I don't do these things, then my wife is highly likely to "clean things up" for me. She won't throw anything away, but I sure as hell won't be able to find much of it again. Her idea of "organized" is not consistent with my own.This EE workbench desk is entirely separate from my work desk that is loaded up with computer stuff (including triple 24" monitor layout, two laptops, and two tablets). Oddly, my electronics workbench is significantly more tidy than my "office desk" that I use for normal work (software development).