Hi all, seeing as I now live in a big enough place that I have a spare room for my computer and electronics junk. I thought I would "build" a new electronics tinkering bench This is a sort of parts list at the moment, of things that I want to use, I'll probably make a video actually setting everything up Feel free to give suggestions on what to change Ok so for the desk I thought I'd pop my ikea cherry and get this simple desk: http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/S29929640/#/S59932556 It just so happens I can get a pre-cut piece of ESD matting the exact same size as the top of the bench! http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261472363917?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT Speaking of ESD matting, I am going to tie it to ground using the earth pin on the power outlet, I can order a special modified plug that has an external lug for attaching the earth point too but they are like $30! So I'm thinking of using a normal plug and obviously just using the earth pin (the special one sold by mektronics still has metal pins for live and neutral anyway.. As for lighting, this is an issue because I don't have any overhead place to mount a tube light or anything (desk is infront of a window) Anyone know of flexible desk lamps that take GU10 bulbs, I want to have 5500k lights to make things easier for photos and such Also for fume extraction, I want to actually have some hahah This "hakko" one looks alright http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-HAKK...806880?hash=item3d2ae74de0:g:JF0AAOSwal5YI95e Don't know if I trust ebay filters though! Also going to be upgrading my multimeter to this re-branded Brymen: https://www.eevblog.com/product/bm235-multimeter/ later on I want to get a proper bench PSU, anyone used one of these cheapies? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lab-Adju...024865?hash=item1a18406c21:g:Y3EAAOSwYIxX858j 3v@10A max Tools I already own: Genuine Hakko FX-888D with some good hakko tips Rhino Desoldering machine: China Hot air station (don't use iron anymore): But yeah any recommendation of what other tools I should get would be a huge help, I need new screwdrivers haha Also on the lookout for some small PC to use for various repair jobs, console modding and what not but thats something I'd have to look at hahaha thanks for reading
If you are using a regular plug for the earth connection, make sure to put a 1M resistor in series. Having one hand connected to ground through a low-impedance connection would be very bad if you accidentally touched something live. The 1M would limit the current down to safe levels.
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2016/11/garage-workbench-made-ridiculously-simple.html Check out this guide for making a workbench, though I would just replace the shelving units with table legs.
Yeah I should had added that in the OP, do you think a 1W would be alright? It's for my office in my apartment so need too keep is simple and clean, Plus I like to sit down to work on things
Yeah, even a 1/4W would be fine - if you connect a 1M resistor directly across 220V it will only dissipate about 50mW.
The table in the OP does not look very stable as a workbench, even for your home office setup. Something with at least a lower shelf anchoring the legs together a better approach to keep from breaking off. If you are committed to that design, perhaps add wood beams (high to clear a chair just in the front) anchoring the legs together?
I have a similar one (but custom built and with slightly thicker legs) and it's actually rock stable. But of course that Ikea desk is built to a price... if it's too bad you could try wedging it between a wall and a shelf maybe. (Well, that, or just take advantage of the generous return policy...)
i've seen some videos online where people have loaded these up with computers and stuff and they seem pretty strong but if I see anything better while I"m at Ikea I'll get that.. They usually have desks and stuff set up on display right?
You really want a sturdy bench. If you can stretch to a second hand cantilever, superb! If not, you could always consider kitchen worktops and build a frame. If you're in a position to secure it to the floor, all the better. That doesn't look sturdy enough for a workbench, really. Go and look at a proper cantilever workstation and you'll see what I mean. Sit on both and have a good wobble. The ESD company would smile... Ikea would ask what the hell you're doing, trying to break it? Oh, and bear in mind that you don't ALWAYS want an ESD bench. "Hmm, this motherboard is temperamental... best take it out of the case and put it on my bench... oh shit, it's a conductive bench!" So a removable mat, or even one that only covers a certain area, can be useful. The good thing about (a lot of) proper workstations is the pegboard and/or shelving they often come with, to go above the bench (great for test gear). And lighting. Adequate lighting when soldering is essential. The modular ones are always cool as you can start with a bench and work your way up, get a corner unit going etc. An earth strap plug (one of the proper yellow ones) is £10 in rip-off Maplin (like 18 Aussie Dollaroonies) or more like £6+VAT from Farnell - don't skimp, get the right gear for the job. I would be very wary of such a cheap PSU. Especially where they don't list the manufacturer, it's stamped made in China and 110v only. Check out what Dave at EEVblog has to say on the matter before getting something shonky (here's a cheap and cheerful, but more expensive than that, review). There are plenty of tutorials for reasonable DIY bench PSUs, mind you. They're common in electronics magazines - you know you'd be getting something reasonable and should even be able to buy the PCB. If you're just doing fairly basic repairs (e.g. consoles where there's usually a single voltage supply), they're not really necessary... but they do become nice to have later on, sure. It's certainly worth going to reputable dealers over eBay. You're far too near China. Umm... where's the scope? And the logic probe? I guess it depends on what you're going to do, but basic bits of kit, really. And a logic probe is dirt cheap - make one yourself, even.
About the benchtop PSU: Unless you think you'll need overcurrent protection or odd votlages, you could just use an old one from a PC. Look for an "ATX breakout adapter".
This is the desk I am using at the moment for my PC, it's really strong and the same bench size as the ikea one, I was just trying to save monies. This setup is going in my office in my apartment, so it has to look tidy (no peg board), I don't know if having two matching desks would look silly or not either hmmm For lighting I've been thinking maybe using some adjustable floor lamps (the ones that point down) and fitting them with high CRI LED's or CFL (which I already own some 150w 5500k ones) http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/kirby-desk-jbkirbydsk#!specifications I thought ESD mats were dissipative on the top not conductive?? I've worked with smaller mats on larger desks before and found it to be a pain, things sit wonky if they are half on the mat and it wears the top of the desk uneven. Most of the desks I've been looking at have that paper finish on the top, esd mat cleaner eats that stuff up I can't find a yellow AU one.. As I said Mektronics (who supply a lot of service centers) only have the off the shelf plug, it just has the earth with an extra screw point. I don't know how I'm going to go about attaching the wrist strap, I may run two earth wires from whatever plug I use (each with a 1meg resistor), one going to the mat and one going to a banana plug block. I'll take a look at that, thanks for the suggestion I also work on phones so having an easy way to see true current draw really helps But yeah I wasn't set on that PSU I just meant cheap ones in general I could go for a used one but then I'd have to have it calibrated I do want to get both a logic probe and later on a scope, I'd want to learn how to use them correctly first
Peg board is super tidy - that's the point! Look at all that wall space not going to waste because there's a nice peg board. Better still, those units often come with power channels, so you don't have to fiddle about on the floor plugging everything in all the time. You'd be better off with the type that clamp on the desk. Better still if you're going that route, a magnifying light... just make sure it's a decent one. Can be both. I'm not saying have a tiny area, but half a desk or something is usually sufficient. Your version of Farnell do them... but mostly UK and Euro plugs!! What's the point in that?! Use the correct ESD cord. If you need it to be calibrated, you'll have to have a new one calibrated, too. Regularly. Turn on. Probe.
