Compact electronics workstation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tbj
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 12:15:17 pm
content: Thought I would post something I'm working on. I'm quite heavily into electronics as a hobby. I did convert the spare room into a workshop when we moved to this house:However, we are currently trying for a baby, so the mancave must go! Hence, I need a new workbench that is compact (to fit in the corner of the living room) and hides away all the ugly stuff when not in use.Concept:Features required:- Loads of cubby holes and shelves, to fit projects (big and small), boxes of bits, tools, instruments, meters...- Space to screw my big parts drawers (2 of them) to.- Plenty of power outlets and good lighting- Space to hide the workbench PC (ITX) and amplifier (bottom right on the drawing above)- Shelving for the other half to keep her books and files on (she's a teacher)OK. On to the more accurate drawings.Carcass is built using sheets of veneered 10mm ply (I can get this cut to size at the timber merchants as I do not own a table saw).Worktop is a standard 600mm kitchen worktop - 2m long.Carcass (shelves and doors will be added when built):Cutting diagram to give to the timber merchants:It will be braced by 2x2 batons placed as follows:- on each side under the top shelf- four in each of the bottom 'cupboard' section, as these must be rigid as they support the most weight.The backing will just be a sheet of thin veneered hardboard, it does not act as a brace itself, the 10mm ply, worktop and shelf form the main structure.Just thought I'd share this; I hope to go and get the wood cut this weekend (off to buy the worktop later this week), so will share my progress.

author: Gall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 12:45:08 pm
content: Looks good.Mine is quite similar. But I don't like doors and thus used roll-down curtains instead.

author: sprocket
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 01:57:29 pm
content: Every one to their own liking. But certainly not my taste, looks way too much like a pencil pusher cubical, and I hate cubicalsAlways a sad day when a man have to give up his mancave, the last bastion of manhoodGood luck with the family thoughThat being said, I think there is one thing you will regret, your table workspace is going to be cramped and small. Workbench space is always at a premium, at least it is too me, so you taking up a good quater of your potential workbench space for a cabinet is something I'd consider not doing.Try and look for those insert you see in kitchen modules, the pull out types, for the lower cabinets, when your workspace is going to be as small as it is, getting to your stuff easy is going to be importent, and will just anoy you if the doohickies you want is barried in the back on the lower self on a cabinet.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 02:01:12 pm
content: I agree with the above points.I'll also suggest going with thicker material. 10mm ply is.. flexy. Bracing with bits of timber is a bodge.Also, get that monitor up off the desk. Get an arm in and you'll free up a lot of space.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 05:07:08 pm
content: Last step is miniaturization of all your tools i would think, first a small scope like the DS1052E and the smallest proper soldering station in town the FX-888Quote from: Monkeh on November 27, 2012, 02:01:12 pmI agree, indeed. 10mm is way too thin for anything.