Equipting a test bench

I also have carts...lots of carts.

Very effective use of space.

I also like the door idea for benches....thanks for mentioning it.

What do people use for parts storage/

TMT

I bought a lot of these:

I got 125 boxes in total for about US $33 including shipping. The only downside is that these aren't anti-static.

Dump the old power hogs. ;-) Test equipment is cheap. Floor space isn't. You can't reach back 4' so that space is wasted. The stuff would be better on the floor under or on shelves over.

Good grief. If your test equipment is that old (read: heavy), it'll end up on the floor on such a rickety bench. 3/4" ply is strong on edge, for cabinets but isn't strong at all in the 'Z' axis. You'll need too much support under it to bother. Solid core (not the cheap luan crap) doors will easily span 5' without center support.

I use 30" as a rule of thumb because that's all I can comfortably reach. Anything beyond that is wasted. I also used to use 3/4" ply (two layers - one is *not* enough) for tables, but found the rear part to be useless. I built a desk out of a 36" door once. That too was too deep to be of use, hence my limit of 30". 30" desks/benches work out quite well. Notice that 30" is about the limit for commercial products.

Depends. Home Depot sells containers that are only a couple inches thick that have several compartments inside. Like a flat tackle box thingy. They have a lid that is on hinges and has snap lock mechanisms. I use that for screws and such.

I use those for non-esd sensitive things. For electronic parts, I use an ESD dissipative multi-drawer cabinet. Even for non-ESD sensitive electronic parts. That way nothing you work with at the bench has any charge. All are nicely at ground potential. They are not that expensive and are no different than any other asset you have around. Having them for your IC chips and such is worth it, so why compromise by trying to lay person together a pro level electronic work bench? So what they cost $15 more than the clear polycarbonate does? It is worth it.

ls

Test equipment is NOT cheap.

Show us otherwise...both digital and RF.

TMT

Folks here have given *many* examples of cheap, and good, stuff available on eBay. With the economy as it is, now is a perfect time to get rid of that crappy old s*it. Do try to keep up.

Doors are available in standard sizes up to 36". Larger than that they get pretty expensive. The Ikea slabs are available up to 1M. I'm even thinking of going down from 30" to 24" for my desktops to save even more floor space. LCD monitors don't require the same depth as CRTs.

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LOL...I do.

Do you always move your lips when you type?

Why don't you give us some examples instead of being a smartass?

TMT

If you did you wouldn't act so stupid.

Because you drool on the keyboard doesn't mean everyone does.

No one will ever accuse you of being a smart anything. Do read a little or try eBay, even.

What a dumb s*it.

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Gee whiz...you are making me blush.

Do I get dinner and flowers too?

TMT

Thanks to everyone who contributed...postitively.

As for the trolls...when do I get my dinner and flowers? ;

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You should. You embarrass your mother.

Sorry Bucko, the terminally stupid aren't my type.

Totes? Got a picture? 24" deep drawers with a 22" top?

I hang spare cables over the clothes hanger bars in the "computer room" closets. I have them arranged with the "interesting" end out so it's easy to tell cables apart.

When you are six feet under, you will get flowers (maybe), and be dinner (for certain).

As for the trolling... That moniker is yours today, retard boy.

TMT is a well known troll on news:rec.crafts.metalworking.

...and rec.woodworking, but there are a lot like him there.

LOL...FYI...Mikey is a well known winger who is still stinging from the brow beating he gets when advancing his Neocon agenda.

I take it as a compliment that he stalks me around Usenet.

Mikey...I am surprised that you know which end goes in the electrical socket..did a liberal show you?

I suppose you are celebrating our President Obama getting the Nobel Prize. ;

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Ahh...another one of the Neocons who frequent the Usenet...and I have stepped on.

I suppose you too are celebrating our President Obama getting the Nobel Prize. ;

Hardly. You're just another Usenet asshole, like Proteus, Slowman, and the drunk speeder.