EEVblog #640 – New Bench Build - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 11:38:59 pm
content: Dave builds another bench for the EEVblog lab.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 11:50:49 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 13, 2014, 11:38:59 pmquestion:does anyone else administer the"eevblog" eevblog and youtube accounts, or do you do a lot of talking about yourself in the 3rd person?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 12:09:42 am
content: Quote from: deth502 on July 13, 2014, 11:50:49 pmNo, it's me.I speak in the third person in those instances because a) it's fun, and b) it pisses off a few people who hate it, which is even more fun

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 12:30:30 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 14, 2014, 12:09:42 amno better reason than that!

author: dnaleromj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:08:19 am
content: What height are you benches?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:10:08 am
content: Quote from: dnaleromj on July 14, 2014, 01:08:19 amThis one is 900mm legs + 30mm top, others are 920mm + 30mm.

author: synapsis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:18:51 am
content: Sagan throws up the metal horns instead of his thumb!METALLLL!

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:49:12 am
content: Quote from: synapsis on July 14, 2014, 01:18:51 amI prefer to think he's showing his support for the University of Texas. (However I still support the Metal theory as well!)Hook 'em horns!/Mrs. Stonent graduated from there.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:53:52 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 14, 2014, 01:49:12 amSorry to hear that, married to a Texan as well, they can be a handful to say the least.But I digress, I like she is a handful, opinionated and never backs down.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:59:54 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 14, 2014, 01:53:52 amWell she was born here, I moved here when I was about 1 year old so I consider myself a Texan as well.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 02:01:34 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 14, 2014, 01:49:12 amIf that's Mrs Stonent then you are punching above your nerd weight

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 02:14:43 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 14, 2014, 02:01:34 amNo, she got a degree in education, not cheerleading.She's rather spend time reading Jane Austin novels. So I guess a computer nerd married a literature nerd.That was just a picture that came up when I googled "Hook 'em Horns"

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 02:19:33 am
content: Don't be ashamed, nothing wrong with role-playing Bevo!Edit: before someone takes it wrong, Bevo is the mascotThis is my wife's favorite shopping bag, and she doesn't know how she is going to tell her father that our daughter wants to study agriculture so she will be an A&M Aggie

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 05:06:08 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 14, 2014, 12:09:42 amReported you to the moderators for trolling.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 08:06:24 am
content: Hi Dave,I can't help thinking if you eBayed the rest of the old Tek scopes and other stuff in the background, you would not need the new 'offline' storage area. Now if only I some practiced some more of what I preach... My mission for week, add one new eBay auction per day.BTW Are we going to get a guided tour of the new storage area :-)

author: _Sin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:57:48 am
content: I winced when I saw the join of the bracing pieces... looks like someone didn't take the thickness of the material into account - measure twice, cut once Dave!

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 11:13:19 am
content: Quote from: _Sin on July 14, 2014, 10:57:48 am

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 12:06:47 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on July 14, 2014, 05:06:08 am

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 12:26:14 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on July 14, 2014, 08:06:24 amGetting rid of that stuff would only bring me to "full". The plan is to actually have spare rack space for WIP stuff.Plus there is home stuff in there too.The lab racks are currently full and I do need to get ebay a lot of stuff to free up space rather than just dump it in the storage room.QuoteNo. It's just a dark and gloomy 12sqm, nothing the least bit video worthy.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 12:50:01 pm
content: During the good work I think someone unplugged the Dropcam, the window says that it's not online.Opinions differ a lot when it comes to bench height, I know that Dave prefers to stand whilst working but others prefer sitting. Your alternatives are therefore bench stools and keep the nominal 900mm height or make them about 700mm from the floor, about the height of an office desk (my worktops are 30mm thick).Edging around the bench to stop stuff rolling off, yes or no?Don't forget to leave space underneath the bench for a fridge, a beer whilst admiring the pile of repaired equipment is a nice way to end the day.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:02:24 pm
content: One thing that struck me - was the 270-degree 'walk-around' access for Dave, (until the junk piles up!) - screams out to add another camera directly overhead for cutaways to overview shots - so we can get an idea of dimension and context within larger teardowns or demonstrations.It may also be cool for DJ to do his scribble drawings on the flat surface, just sliding pages in or out of frame if he needs to digress or elaborate on a detail.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 01:43:54 pm
content: Quote from: SL4P on July 14, 2014, 01:02:24 pmShot some video on the table today, and I just used my usual inverted tripod for a top-down shot.But yes, a tripod mount hanging from the roof would be good, if that is easily possible with drop ceilings.Problem is it needs to come down to almost head height so I can see the screen and be close to the mic.In this respect it's easier to use my existing benches and have the camera handing from a flex arm on the shelf.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 03:15:34 pm
content: Why rent when you can have the dumpster room for free, then go down and make amazing discoveries of thing you never knew you had.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 05:24:33 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 13, 2014, 11:38:59 pmAre you planning to build a 19" rack system? I think I would put my rarely used instruments in one of those (if I would have that many). And it would be nice to see a home-made version of that.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 05:37:38 pm
content: damn ! i need one of those autorouter t-shirts !

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 06:05:24 pm
content: I think Chris is selling those.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 08:19:46 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on July 14, 2014, 08:06:24 amits always easy to go over someone elses house and ask "why do u have all of this shit?? you should get rid of most of this" but its a completely different story when its YOUR shit.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 08:57:27 pm
content: Lab camera now back up and running, and at 06:54 there is nobody around. How Dave manages to walk around there barefoot I will never know.

author: mwilson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:43:48 pm
content: Does anyone know if the bench surface Dave uses (laminated pine [or whatever wood type is locally abundant] in approx. those dimensions) is readily available in the United States at a place like Home Depot or Lowe's? Looking online I can't seem to find anything like it... the closest is if I search for a butcher block slab but those seem to be more expensive and don't seem to have the nice depth that Dave's benches have (two or three feet deep just isn't enough to have analog oscilloscope with enough work area in front of it).

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:54:22 pm
content: Solid core wood doors (without any pre-drilled knob holes) are available at Home Depot and Lowes and make good bench tops.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 12:36:08 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on July 14, 2014, 10:54:22 pmhttp://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100064572?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=wood+door+slab+unfinished&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=100064572#.UMQ5W6lQDA8&AID=11210757&PID=6147012&SID=1abgggf9q4qhx&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147012-_-11210757&cj=truehttps://www.google.com/search?q=solid+core+door+workbench&sa=X&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=ZHfEU-e4G4a68AG5vYGwCA&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=709

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 12:44:56 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on July 14, 2014, 10:54:22 pmsolid core with door know holes drilled are often available at construction sites for free. plugging a hole or 2 isint hard. ive got a few work benches like this around.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 12:48:06 am
content: Quote from: mwilson on July 14, 2014, 10:43:48 pmdaves says his top is 900mm, which is about 35 1/2", which is less than 3'

author: JoeO
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 01:20:38 am
content: Quote from: deth502 on July 15, 2014, 12:44:56 amActually the door knob holes make a convenient place to run cords through to the floor.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 01:56:53 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 14, 2014, 02:19:33 amI'm an Aggie, but my best friend Tiffany Yep is a Longhorn. Aggies and Longhorns can coexist quite well...

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 03:55:48 am
content: Quote from: German_EE on July 14, 2014, 08:57:27 pmWalking barefoot in a lab is easy with surface mount components. DIP's and TO3's are fun, the trick is to keep your toes low.

author: nitro2k01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 10:10:46 am
content: When I saw the "infinite bench" illusion plan, I got an idea. Make the mat slightly too long put it up against the wall. This should give a bigger span of useful angles for creating this illusion "perfectly". Of course, assuming good lighting conditions so there are no shadows.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 01:49:13 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on July 14, 2014, 08:57:27 pmThey were installing the new fibre link in the building, so the net was down overnight.I should be able to upgrade to an even faster plan now.It's carpet, so rather comfortable until you bang your toe or step on something. The good outweighs the bad.

author: tjb1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 03:49:23 pm
content: Quote from: mwilson on July 14, 2014, 10:43:48 pmGrizzly sells many sizes of nice tops -http://www.grizzly.com/products/Solid-Maple-Workbench-Top-72-Wide-x-36-Deep-x-1-3-4-Thick/G9919I am pretty close to the PA warehouse so its not bad to buy items but shipping is a bit much.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 05:33:54 pm
content: I just use plain 22mm or 19mm shutterply, or go hunt up an old kitchen counter top. You can use doors ( they are under $20 new for hollow core ones) and they work well. I made a few worktops using melamine counter tops with a bull nose on one side, and as they are 50mm thick they can be quite sturdy. They are hard to cut as my skil saw only goes 48mm deep, but a 2 pass cut is fine in most cases before assembly, and leaves a smooth edge as well.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 07:40:19 pm
content: Only 3/4 inch but should be ok. both 4 ft by 8 ft, so I can make two 8 feet long by 2 feet deep:$23.98http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-3-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-White-Melamine-Panel-461877/100070209$32.25http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-3-4-in-x-49-in-x-97-in-Medium-Density-Fiberboard-M11161249097000000A/202332600

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 08:38:00 pm
content: Quote from: tjb1 on July 15, 2014, 03:49:23 pmim about an hour south. i go there often.

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2014, 07:03:31 pm
content: Osdillodope! Awesome!Sagen's cute got a great smile,.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2014, 08:22:24 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 15, 2014, 07:40:19 pmMelamine is crap. I would never build anything with it.MDF is ok for some things. It can work for a benchtop if there is good structural support beneath it. It would not work well in the design Dave used in his video. It needs to be sealed with a good polyurethane or equivalent.

author: nixfu
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 05:57:28 pm
content: Quote from: mtdoc on July 16, 2014, 08:22:24 pmI did an OIL rub into my MDF bench tops as shown in this eevblog thread and it works fine. Makes the MDF much stronger once it cures, and makes it a little smoother and nicer feeling as well. Of course we all use esd rubber mat on our benches anyway.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/whats-your-work-benchlab-look-like-post-some-pictures-of-your-lab/msg466356/#msg466356

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 08:07:32 pm
content: Quote from: nixfu on July 17, 2014, 05:57:28 pmhttp://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_112740/article.htmlUsing good quality oil is obviously a mustQuote

author: aroby
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 09:59:42 pm
content: Quote from: mwilson on July 14, 2014, 10:43:48 pmIkea have good countertops. I have two birch tops in my work area. They are not as deep as Dave's, but that was because I don't have the space. I think Ikea does sell two widths.Anthony

author: nixfu
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2014, 12:56:21 am
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on July 17, 2014, 08:07:32 pmOMG...that is funny.Just for the record if of of "you younger guys" is reading this... DO NOT use motor oil. Use this or something similar that you will find in the paint/stain section of your hardware store. You will not find this type of oil at the auto parts store.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2014, 07:41:22 pm
content: Reminds me I must re oil my table, I use furniture oil to do this on the unvarnished cherry wood. Gives a matt finish which has the added bonus of being insect proof. A good thing to have here in the borer belt. A coat every 6 months and it has a nice deep matt finish.

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2014, 11:46:25 pm
content: That's a cool dad hehehe, nice!