Bench cable management suggestion? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: chipwitch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 01:18:52 pm
content: I'm in the midst of a long drawn out move. Moving from a house in a warm climate to a cow pasture with 4 distinct seasons. Only a small portion of my shop is heated for our northern winter and I have to share that space with a pantry, paints, assorted chemicals (things that might otherwise freeze), etc. I've gone from having a large bench down to just 6 ' and one end of that will have a 3D printer on it. My old bench, I used to keep the soldering iron on a shelf about 16" off the bench. That bench was also about 36" deep, the new one is only 30". Because the bench is so small, I'm now finding the soldering iron cable to be a real nuisance. The old bench, it was only a minor annoyance on occasion. I tend to only use the SI for frequent/brief repairs rather than hours at a time soldering up an entire board otherwise it would be a big deal to coil up the cord each time it was used.So, I was wondering if any of you had suggestions on how you manage the SI cable. I'm particularly interested to see pictures of small bench setups, if any of you are willing to share.

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 02:03:05 pm
content: How about an elastic bungee cord from the ceiling ?You don't say if your iron has a base unit or not. I have a small bench too about the same size with no shelving but then no 3D printer either, it's a pain, I have to clear one project away before I can work on another .......I have component draws all along the backwall, soldering iron, anglepoise & bits on the left and tool tubs on the right, sorry no pics!

author: chipwitch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 02:32:22 pm
content: I forgot to mention it's a hakko 936I considered some kind of retractable solution, like a bungee, but that seemed like something else you'd be fighting with. I don't mean to make this sound whiney (whingy for my non-US friends). I realize it's a rather minor thing to deal with... it just occurred to me that the cord is a nuisance and that if there was a more elegant solution, someone on eevblog would be using it. Cheers, for the input!

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 02:35:08 pm
content: Something else I have seen many years ago possibly on a ironing board is a coil spring wrapped around the wire with one end secured to the "bench".Here's a picture, nothing special and no clever tricks I am afraid, just a corner of my living room as it's too damm cold to use a shed outside![ Specified attachment is not available ]

author: chipwitch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 03:03:50 pm
content: Oh yeah! I remember those! It seems like that might be in the way too, but it does get the cord up off the bench. I could almost see the power unit under the front of the bench and maybe a hook to the side to swing the cable over to the side when not in use, but my bench has drawers that hang down 9" below the bench surface. There are many workable configurations, I'm sure. I just wanted to see if anyone had implemented some method more than just setting it all on the bench.

author: chipwitch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 09:01:08 pm
content: Yes, that is a very tiny space! I guess I shouldn't complain. Thanks for sharing the piccy.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 05, 2021, 01:22:47 pm
content: If you come up with a workable solution, post it here. I have the same issue. On the half of the workbench I have my soldering equipment, I also repair company equipment. The long cables on my Hakko FX-951 and Metcal MX-500 are always getting hung up on the equipment being repaired as I rotate it on the lazy susan I have for getting to the front and back. For me, the soldering equipment sits on the first shelf up from the desktop. I have pondered it at times but haven't come up with anything useful. Underneath the workbench is not viable due to storage and computers sitting there.

author: chipwitch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2021, 02:20:19 pm
content: Actually, I have an idea that I'm pretty sure will be perfect. I'll be working on it today. As soon as I get something, succeed or fail, I'll post it.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2021, 01:21:31 am
content: Quote from: chipwitch on February 04, 2021, 01:18:52 pmBe careful where you step.QuoteTime for a house expansionThat of course is costly but your only other avenue is to think in 3D. The 3D printer for example doesn't have to sit on the bench it can be elevated above the bench either on a hutch like support or a wall mounted shelf.QuoteHave you considered battery powered soldering equipment. If your soldering is very infrequent you may be able to tolerate that most battery powered solutions leave a lot to be desired. The nice thing is you can have such soldering irons in a range of capabilities, some with integrated batteries and others with plug in batteries.QuoteWell as suggested above get rid of the cables is one avenue. The only other idea I have is to mount the iron controller and stand under the bench. Even better with the under the bench mount would be if it is on a pull out or swing out drawer that could effectively expand your bench space.In any event that 3D printer has to go, it can't be on the bench. One day you will get pissed off at the space it takes and it will go flying to its new location on the floor. You might as well say you have a 4 foot bench if you leave it on the top.

author: chipwitch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2021, 02:28:02 pm
content: When I say "cow pasture" I mean that is all that was here. I currently live in a camper. I have one small heated room in my shop where we store food and other things that might be damaged by the cold and humidity. "Expansion" takes time. We are working on it. But that wasn't my question.If there was another location for the 3d printer than the bench, don't you think I would have considered that? Moving the 3d printer is not an option at this time. Besides, it is WAY more useful than my electronics lab. While they may appear to be toys unworthy of bench space, they are serious product design tools. They're even being used in manufacturing to produce parts on a large scale. The notion, hyperbolic or not, that I would get "pissed" off and fling my 3d printer to the floor because of the space it uses on my bench is ridiculous. Why would you say that about someone you don't know? I realize you're most likely projecting how *you* would feel and react in the situation, but making the assumption that that applies to me as well is just a bit offensive. I don't get pissed and throw things *ever*.Cordless SIs are an interesting concept and would probably suffice for my infrequent needs, but..... I've had battery drills since Makita's 7.2v. While I've always found them useful, I've never found them to be a suitable replacement for corded tools. However, a new friend of mine introduced me to Milwaukee's 18v Fuel cordless tools about a year or two ago. This past Christmas I took the plunge and bought a bunch of them. They are certainly nearly equal to corded tools in all categories except economy. Still, my initial poor impression of battery tools, rightly or wrongly persists... especially wrt heating elements.Thank you. While I appreciate all your suggestions, I was hoping to have a greater understanding of how others are using their SIs. If y'all are leaving them on your bench, a shelf, under the bench, cordless etc, that is all useful information. Maybe y'all just accept the cable as a necessary inconvenience just like I have forever? I actually expected to find more people (other than GreyWoolfe) who, like me, found the cord to be a nuisance. But now that's just *me* projecting.

author: KT88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2021, 01:25:42 am
content: Something like the benchtop lamp shown in the photo further above (post#3) might work: remove the lamp head and replace it with the iron holder. A longer cable might be required though...CheersAndreas