Workbench contest - operational, entry-level electronics workbench for < 200 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 10:22:59 pm
content: QuoteLots of fine print and I do not know what the prize ishttp://www.nutsvolts.com/pages/the_workbench_challenge_2015?Maybe if there is interest in this - we could get Nuts and Volts to have a higher limit next year. It would be nice to see a level that would include an oscilloscope.

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 09:58:49 am
content: They've updated it with the prizes nowQuote

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 05:59:47 pm
content: Quote from: crispy_tofu on September 28, 2015, 09:58:49 amNice - When I first saw this, I thought they meant actually building a workbench, ie tables, shelves, screws, nails, etc. But now I think they mean equipment, like meters, wires, soldering iron, tools.Does anyone know which it is? But it seems this subject is not popular on this forumToo bad because there are a lot of talented people here that could put something together (on paper).I think I will start a post on a multimeter for this, that should get some response (after I make sure what is going on here)Notice one of the prizes is a "kit" valued at $197 - I wonder if this is a hint? I think I will submit an entry using this prize

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 11:33:58 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on September 28, 2015, 05:59:47 pmYou should do that! HaahI actually just submitted my take on it. Kind of a fun challenge!

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 11:55:09 pm
content: Quote from: alexanderbrevig on September 28, 2015, 11:33:58 pmCan you share you selection?

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2015, 11:12:01 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on September 28, 2015, 11:55:09 pmI guess it won't hurtI would appreciate that people don't simply copy it though$49.9 Oscilloscope & first projecthttp://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Digital-Storage-Oscilloscope-DIY-Kit-with-Panels-p-515.html$100 Toolshttp://www.adafruit.com/product/136$5.95 Solderhttp://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/smd-4/solder-wire-63/37-tin/lead-no-clean-0.020-1oz./1.html$24.95 Partshttps://www.sparkfun.com/products/13110$16.9 Arduinohttp://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Seeeduino-Lite-p-1487.htmlTOTAL $197.7REST $2.3

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2015, 02:48:00 pm
content: I'm so going to lose this contest. I'm about to rebuild my desks and redo the mains wiring. I already have all the materials and I'm quite sure I spend $200 alone on the wiring and outlets

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2015, 07:00:05 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 29, 2015, 02:48:00 pmAt first I thought the same as you - but I am sure now that they mean only electronic parts, not "building" something

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2015, 07:46:24 pm
content: QuoteI thought about this after I asked. But this post has low reads and good members so I hope not.I thought about the same scope but passed on the kit part. I do not think a kit will pass the muster because of the "beginner" thing. Some other good selections.The toolkit almost includes everything - good pick.I think it would be fun if Dave would come up with a contest. Can you imagine how much fun that would be. We would just have to talk him out of using used stuff.Did you enter other than Twitter or YT?thanks

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2015, 08:45:22 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on September 29, 2015, 07:46:24 pmI sent an email with the list. I did not enter for the part 2. Also, the non-kit version of the Oscilloscope is cheaper (but the you don't have a clear first project laid out which I think is a good idea when starting out) so the individual newcomer could choose to simply swap it out. It was probably a mistake selecting the kit for the competition. Anyways. I entered just for fun

author: XynxNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 06:44:32 pm
content: The terms of this challange are too vague.What's an entry-level electronics workbench?As a kid mine consisted of a fixed temperature soldering iron, some solder, a side cutter, a fixed power source, and the equivalent of todays 5$ multimeter.It was great, surely entry-level and up to my needs in those times...For 200$ I could have gotten at least 5 of those benches...

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 07:15:55 pm
content: Quote from: XynxNet on September 30, 2015, 06:44:32 pmI agree - this is why I started another posthttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/what-do-you-think-%27electronic-workbench%27-is/If you have time, how about enter the contest and share your entry with us.thanks

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 11:48:03 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on September 30, 2015, 07:15:55 pmYou should too mate

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 12:17:29 am
content: Quote from: alexanderbrevig on September 30, 2015, 11:48:03 pmCouldn't be better than the prizeParallax Starter Kit (Retail Value $197) consisting of:Basic Soldering KitPropeller Activity BoardAssorted 3-Wire Extension Cable 30-PackWS2812B RGB LED Module 10-packCapacitor Care PackageEmergency Resistor KitDigital Multimeter DVM810Circuit Overlay Board

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 07:49:52 pm
content: What you need is a $20.00 DMM, a $50.00 soldering iron, solder, wire, protoboards, wire stripper/cutters, tweezers.And an internet-connected computer to order parts, look at datasheets, make schematics and boards.Prediction:Winner will include stuff like:Bus PirateArduino-anythingOpen-source-anythingI'd be scouring Adafruit, Sparkfun, and Seedstudio for open source consumerish products.