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Hey Ben Heck, Help me build out my project shop...  please!

e14 Contributor

I have decided that it is time to remove everything in my garage, and replace it with the necessary itemes required to have a super cool "Ben Heck Style" workshop or projectshop.  I know I will be required to get a 3d printer, and possibly a laser cutter, but what models are recommended?  and furthermore what other "stuff" should I add to my wishlist.   I have set up a bank account so that I can begin to add funds for the "budget", that has been approved by the financial partner (wife) and as soon as I get some parameters, I will be able to set the actual numbers for that "Approved budget"  (hehe...)  

 

Anyway, I would love to get the recommended items and a primer on how your workshop design has been improved over the years, so that I can start at a most productive place..

 

Thanks!

-Your fan, Scott

  • 0

    Scott,

     

    Welcome to element14. This sounds like a interesting project. You seem very serious about it.

     

    Some basics to have:

    Benchtop power supply

    Discrete electrical components

    Wire

    Any electrical device you throw away, keep. Harvest it for parts.

    All the common hand tools

    Power drill and Dremels

    A 3D printer is a big maybe.

    CNC router or Mill and a manual Mill (I vote mill. You have do more work with it.)

    CNC or manual Lathe

    Computers & printer

    Dry-erase board

    And an Internet connection

     

     

    Though, honestly, you do not even need half of that to get started with project.

    I would start with answering one question; what do you primarily want to make?

     

    Want to design a circuit? Use a circuit simulation program. (multisim)

    Want to make a mechanical device? Start by drawing it in 3D, and put it together virtually. (solidworks)

     

    Cabe

    http://twitter.com/Cabe_e14

  • 0 in reply to Catwell

    Thank you...   This is good news, as I have most of this already..   Must get the CNC and 3dPrinter, though...  I have an old plotter, I think I will try to make one or the other with it..   Way too many electrical parts lying around...  

     

    No particular projects, besides the many I am drawn to each day...  lol

     

    Thanx, will post pics as it comes together..  

     

     

    Any other ideas, please feel free to post, other may find it useful as well...

     

    -Scott

  • 0

    I think your project will tell you what you need, tools should help you build your project. If you buy tools and then think what you want to build, your designing skills may be limited by the tools you have, or you may end up with the tools just sitting around collecting dust.

     

    My suggestion is to define the parameters of your projects, and then buy the tools based on those parameters, also you will have to buy some things as you progress.

     

    --

    Victor

  • 0 in reply to e14 Contributor

    I agree with Victor. It is better to work backwards from the types of projects you want to do to know what tools you need. Ben started out doing this stuff in a spare room in his apartment and paid for time on a CNC machine and laser cutter when he needed that. The projects he was doing defined what he needed.

     

    For example I would love to get a laser cutter but I just don't have the volume of work to justify the cost plus I can pay Ben to do some cutting on his machine if something does come up. On the other hand I may build a laser cutter because I do love building machines, actually much more than I end up using them.

     

    More important than anything, when your just getting started, are the basic tools. A decent soldering station, multimeter, an Arduino or two, hook-up wires, proto-boards, cordless drill.

     

    As far as 3D printers go I would take a look at thingiverse.com to get a feel for the kinds of things people are 3D printing. Make sure to note if a project has examples of things people printed. There's a fair number of items on thingiverse that were never actually printed. See examples of 3D printed stuff to see if that matches what you plan on building.

     

    The other advice I have on 3D printers is don't buy based on cost, buy based on quality of prints. Look at examples of what people have printed. Talk to owners. Also remember there's more than Makerbot out there making 3D printers. They have great marketing but there's many options. I am a person fan of makergear.com although they don't get any of the press coverage.

  • 0

    Chris is right, you should get equipment "when you need it" not "when you want it"

     

    That said, a 3D printer is a good entry level CNC tool. Even a Makerbot costs significantly less than even the cheapest laser cutter, or mid range CNC.

     

    It also doesn't create fumes or dust.

  • 0

    i dont know if ben or chris would agree with me but in my personal bedroom "shop" i use a hand held electric jigsaw i consider it an essential basic tool