Clean desk and organizing tools in a dusty environment - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mindentropy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 10:23:47 am
content: Hi,I live in a dusty environment where significant dust layers form on surfaces if I don't clean for a week. Due to this it is difficult to keep my test equipment, boards and soldering stations on the desk. It becomes annoying to move all the equipment back and forth from the cupboard every time I want to use it.I have a problem where if I don't have my equipment out in the open I lose complete interest and motivation.Could people share ideas on how to keep the desk organized and clean without much effort in an environment similar to mine?Thanks.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 10:31:08 am
content: Quote from: mindentropy on May 23, 2022, 10:23:47 amTHAT is the problem. Put it away and forget it, or get used to dusting it.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 10:31:14 am
content: Perhaps a cabinet with removable or roll front to house the equipment on your desk. Bonus is you can keep stuff you don't care about getting dusty on the top to hide the dust you'd otherwise have to sweep offMight have to consider airflow if the kit gets hot when on, though.

author: SmallCog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 11:15:34 am
content: Throw a sheet over the bench when you’re not using it.Maybe consider methods to clean the air, for both your hobby and health.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 02:06:56 pm
content: Quote from: SmallCog on May 23, 2022, 11:15:34 am+1 on both suggestions.An old plastic table cloth or even just a sheet of Visqueen should work. Very large (house sized) heavy duty sheets of Visqueen are CHEAP in stores that carry home building supplies. They're placed on the ground before that slab is laid and are used to prevent moisture from coming into the building from the earth below it.Spend the money and buy a decent room air filter, preferably one with a HEPA filter, your lungs will thank you.Where is all of the dust coming from? You need work on eliminating it at it's source.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 02:13:39 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/dust-cover-for-workbench/

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 02:15:57 pm
content: Air cleaner with HEPA filter. Robot vacuum. Total of ~ 500 EUR or so.But its better to get rid of the problem.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 02:54:35 pm
content: Curtain up your work area so minimise free air movement that bring in the dust. Put a air cleaner inside the curtain, and another one outside as well. Then put sticky mat at the entrance of the work area opening. Don't and resist doing dusty work inside the "clean" zone.

author: mindentropy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2022, 08:17:42 pm
content: Thanks for the ideas.I think a clean thin bed sheet to cover my equipment when I am not using would do the trick.Most of the dust comes from gusty wind and also high traffic next to my home. My work area window has curtains but I still see a layer of dust on my table and that would form on my boards too if left unused.