EEVblog #228 - New Lab Progress... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 01:48:56 pm
content: The center of that room is calling out for a Pool Table to compliment the arcade machine

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 01:52:45 pm
content: Quote from: caroper on December 23, 2011, 01:48:56 pmYou mean another work bench with a green felt top?Dave.

author: samgab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 02:04:34 pm
content: You mentioned bean bags... Perhaps a projector and a blu-ray player/PS3 for one of the white walls...For in between builds and teardowns...

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 02:09:07 pm
content: A sofa would be nice!Alexander.

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 02:16:42 pm
content: I would put a big whiteboard on the wall and/or a smaller one on wheeled frame that would fit near the "video corner". And maybe some kind of permanent camera mount for the former, it would save time setting up the camera every time the camera is moved somewhere.And thanks for mentioning those Border IKEA shelves, I was looking for some vertical storage system for my new house, I have very limited space there.

author: Anks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 02:32:18 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 23, 2011, 01:52:45 pmYou mean abit like mine

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 02:32:58 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 23, 2011, 01:52:45 pmWe did it in one of our offices.Have a nice dark stained top made to fit over it and call it the Board Room Table, great for meetings with Sponsors, suppliers etc.But on a Friday afternoon the Top comes off, The kitchenette becomes a bar.A few cold ones over a Game of Pool is a great way to close off the work week and welcome in the weekend, You can even avoid the rush hour traffic.CheersChris

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 03:18:48 pm
content: The center is certainly reserved for a chip printing machine.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 11:43:33 pm
content: I think I would get something like a mobile desk with castors that you can lock. So it can be stored up against the wall or brought out into the middle of the floor. Why? Well I imagine there could be circumstances when doing a demo, a teardown or similar, when it is better to have the camera facing you and looking down at the work.On the subject of lighting, I have heard good things about metal halide lamps. They have a better more consistent colour spectrum than LEDs and fluoros. Ideal for a work area, or for filming with.

author: steff
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 11:50:00 pm
content: FWIW, if you're going to do the quadcopter, it'll be very handy to have a bench that's more than 90cm deep, closer to square and accessible from all sides. You can't beat 360-degree access for physically building stuff.

author: Chet T16
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 12:13:37 am
content: I agree with Zad, you might want to do a cookery show style blog someday, or at least have the option.Been eyeing up the ikea site today...

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 01:39:54 am
content: Quote from: BoredAtWork on December 23, 2011, 03:18:48 pmDidn't you see it in the video?, it's there, I already have oneDave.

author: Freighternut
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 03:19:13 am
content: Nice work Dave.How deep are the instrument shelves above the desk?I am about to embark on a bench build in my soon to be built lab. Measuring up my instruments, I figurethat I would need at least 350 mm. Both my Agilent 34410A Meter and the TTi QL355T PS require at least 320 mm includingroom for the power cords etc. I may keep the power supply on the bench as it is quite heavy.Keep up the good work. I vote for a couch and beer fridge in the spare space, great at the end of a busy day beavering in the lab!Roger...

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 04:39:34 am
content: I had to laugh at the bit at the end about trying to blag a spectrum analyser and a vector network analyser. Not sure quite what someone who never touches RF would do with those - they should clearly send them to me insteadMaybe the amateur radio exam syllabus would give a good structure for a set of RF electronics videos. Just saying

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 05:47:49 am
content: Quote from: Zad on December 24, 2011, 04:39:34 amAnd I'm going to do RF videos without those nice RF tools, how?Dave.

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 05:55:37 am
content: Dave why you don't apply the bench with water based lacquer, i use it all the time. It has no smell and is dry to touch in 10 minuttes.Your benches will degradation and wood will be sensitive to any mechanical damage (especially soft pine) and if you spill something on it it will go in the wood creating an ugly show.

author: SgtRock
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 08:18:21 am
content: Greetings EEVBees:--My experience is in Roof Design, and the itch in my little finger is telling me that those work bench tops could sag, especially if a 50 pound instrument were left in the middle for a day or two. I think if Dave does not want his work bench tops to sag in the middle, he should install an edge frame support all the way around the top. The long runs should be 2x4 (I do not know the common metric equivalent) and the short edges should be of nominal 1x4 (please substitute OZ equivalent). The long center line should have some additional support. I recommend 1" or so square steel tubing under the top along the center longitudinal axis. It need only be supported at the ends, no attachment to the top is necessary. Doubling the end edge support (provided the doubled edge supports are screwed together up and down every 8 inches or so) with a notch (in the inside member only) to support the tube seems easiest. This arrangement would only be visible from underneath the bench, and has a relatively low (high) profile to avoid banging the knees, ouch. , but an "A" brace (not as elegant) could also be used to carry the load to the legs.In short, as built, with point like support only at the for corners, I think you have a trampoline just waiting for the bowling ball to demonstrate General Relativity.--I welcome any comments pro or con, from anyone who may know more about workbench design, than I do. If any one knows better, I would be more than happy to be wrong about this one.--Also can anyone recommend a water based, low appearance factor, protectant for that raw wood. I my opinion, he is bound to need it. Hacklord's comment came in while I was writing this. More comments are still welcome."Measure twice. Cut once"Norm Abram 1950 -Best RegardsClear Ether

author: samgab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 10:25:06 am
content: Quote from: SgtRock on December 24, 2011, 08:18:21 amHa, in Metric countries like Ozzy and NZ we use that for construction too, but we call it"4 by 2"

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 10:30:35 am
content: Well SgtRock i completly overlooked that detail and you are right. Without making a propper support Daves beches will become U shapped in a year or two. But however he keeps most of his instruments on shelf above the table but anyway he should do that. Im sending a picture of my new bench supports, we finished it just few weeks ago. I had a smaller bench, same system for few years and about 250 kg on it, they never bent.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 10:32:16 am
content: Dave,You should seal all your bench wood because depending on the air-con/heaters in your new lab you may find the wood drying out and twisting/buckling in the process.Ian.

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 05:20:55 pm
content: Where is your trusty Rigol scope, Dave?Or did I just not look close enough?Has it been replaced by the Agilent?Cheers from Germany,Florian

author: Joshua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 06:56:06 pm
content: Quote from: LEECH666 on December 24, 2011, 05:20:55 pmI'm guessing he's keeping that at home. Surely he will keep a scope at home

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 10:50:23 pm
content: Sounds reasonable to leave better scope at home lab

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2011, 05:02:45 pm
content: Oh the decadence. Haha ...Yeah actually that makes sense.I just felt like asking, since I didn't see it.Cheers from Germany,Florian

author: chochodave
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 25, 2011, 08:59:14 pm
content: Hello Dave, This has previously been mentioned ( I Think ?). Your pine shelves will sag over a period of time. My suggestion is to find some strip angle iron to go along front edge of shelf. Being iron or a light stiff metal your multimeter magnets holders will have something to hold on to. Also, If you can find a C-Shaped strip for shelf edge that would be even better. The stiff strips along front edge will keep you from having to install brackets under shelves taking up space. Whew!!! Now, that was a rant on shelf edges.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2011, 10:56:15 pm
content: Quote from: hacklordsniper on December 24, 2011, 05:55:37 amSounds good. What brand?, and where can I get it from in Oz?I looked at dozens of different products at Bunnings (big local hardware store), and every single one of them had dire recommendations for good flow ventilation etc when applying.Dave.

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2011, 04:37:24 am
content: There's some stuff that is used for flooring that works well. It's a 2-part acrylic compond that is a satin finish and is very durable. The brand of stuff I used was 'Bona', and is available from several places in Sydney (I know of one paint place in Collaroy that has it).BTW, are you leasing the new space or did you buy it?

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2011, 09:08:04 pm
content: Rather than get a Makerbot thing, how about a laser cutter? I believe AdaFruit made quite a bit of $$$ laser etching laptops, that could be a nice bit of income in quiet times, and a handy way of making your own enclosures.

author: PeteInTexas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2011, 09:21:51 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 25, 2011, 10:56:15 pmThey all have dire warnings but how inconvenient is it to coat them outside and leave them out for a day or two?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 30, 2011, 09:34:03 pm
content: Quote from: PeteInTexas on December 30, 2011, 09:21:51 pmVery inconvenient.Dave.

author: PeteInTexas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2011, 09:44:33 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 30, 2011, 09:34:03 pmIt would be awhile before the draw backs of not coating them manifest themselves. And by then you will likely want something different.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2011, 11:27:26 pm
content: You can treat the wood with mineral oil, or Liquid Paraffin B.P. as it is called in Australia. The B.P. means that it is food grade. Available from any chemist in 200mL bottles for something like $5, and it it almost odorless and it is non-allergenic and non-toxic. It can be mixed with beeswax, but the beeswax will have a slight odor. Probably not objectionable though.I gather that mineral oil sinks into the wood pretty successfully and dries quickly. It is used a lot on wooden cutting boards and children's toys. Does not go rancid which is a potential problem of the vegetable-based oils.Richard.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2011, 04:07:17 am
content: Strange you should mention beeswax, I was only thinking about that the other day in relation to someone who is sensitive to modern chemicals. My dad used to make turpentine + beeswax polish to restore old furniture, I loved the smell of it! I'm not sure it is a perfect choice for lab furniture but it works fine with domestic woodwork.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2011, 04:47:47 am
content: There are a number of options using turpentine, but I was avoiding that because of the fumes.Mineral oil and/or beeswax will not be as tough as paint or polyurethane, but that may be OK as Dave has the antistatic mats for a lot of the assembly/disassembly work. It is enough to make the bench and shelves water resistant.

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 03:52:38 am
content: Here's the link to the water-based 2-part polyurethane floor coating that is very good. It's low odour and dries reasonably quickly, although you'd want to leave it a few days to really harden fully (as with any coating).http://www.bona.net.au/HomeOwners/Products11/Traffic2.aspx?cat=CoatingsI guess you are sharing the bulding with dentists, doctors, chiropractors etc, so odour would be a problem!

author: steff
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 04:41:55 pm
content: I can highly recommend Osmo brand wax/oils. My other half's whole flat has oak flooring we did with it as well as the kitchen work tops. Not hard to apply, smells of linseed oil rather then unpleasant solvents, seems to last very well. You could probably make something pretty similar just by dissolving a wax in a small amount of a reasonably mild solvent and a lot of something like boiled linseed.

author: simmonmt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 10, 2012, 04:51:00 pm
content: What's the brand name and model number for the ESD mat? I see the link to the Oritech site, but they don't list the manufacturer -- assuming, of course, that Oritech doesn't make it themselves. I'd like to see if I can find that mat from a supplier here in the US.

author: plunger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2012, 12:00:41 am
content: Quote from: simmonmt on January 10, 2012, 04:51:00 pmI was just watching a video on some matting yesterday. 3M brand though.

author: jens75
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 10:20:56 pm
content: Quote from: McMonster on December 23, 2011, 02:16:42 pmThe shelves are actually called Broder. Broder translates to brother in english

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2012, 12:59:08 am
content: Quote from: jens75 on January 18, 2012, 10:20:56 pmI know, it was just a typo.

author: ronwoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2012, 09:00:34 am
content: Or you could put say, some kind of formica like top on the benches. Then again, who cares if the workbench gets stained and dinged? Adds character, right? But that's just me.

author: Jimmy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2012, 12:46:26 pm
content: Dave Just paint them on a friday afternoon before you take off and it should be rite most aircons vent to fresh air somewhere

author: jipihorn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2012, 07:41:07 am
content: Hi,Is somebody know if the ESD mat kits from Oritech (like the HTM2406B) are the same kind than the roll version ? There is no information on the web site, although the roll version is well described.Good ESD mats are quite expensive (and difficult to find) here in France and international shipping costs are usually ridiculous (the last one was $146 shipping cost for two 600x1200 mats from Canada...). But as it seems that Oritech offers free shipping even for international orders...Thanks in advance,J.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2012, 09:02:58 pm
content: The finish material that you need here in the UK would be labeled low VOC content and would tell you to wash your brushes in water, brand names here are Ronseal and Sadolin both of them come in clear, stain or colored finish.They both touch dry in twenty minuets. have a very low odor and clean off while still wet with water.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2012, 10:30:47 pm
content: Quote from: Anks on December 23, 2011, 02:32:18 pmI think your wife/mother is not happy with this.

author: RRobot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2012, 06:47:25 pm
content: Here in Canada, my local Ikea says they are discontinuing the Broder system or at least not stocking the current parts, by October. Its already hard to get the 204 cm posts which tie the system together. They may be mistaken, but I stocked up anyway. Love the Broder system. Don't know if this applies to the rest of the world.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2013, 12:46:25 am
content: Dave, what model shelving did you use? I'm specifically interested in the metal shelving and supports that you have in the back. I know you said you got it from Ikea (and there's one near me) but it'd be much easier if you know what model you got.Of course that was a couple of years ago, so I understand if you don't remember.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2013, 12:48:36 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on June 03, 2013, 12:46:25 am"Broder"

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2013, 12:49:32 am
content: Excellent, thanks.