Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 42 replies
  • Subscribers 531 subscribers
  • Views 2045 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Time for a spring clean? How's your workbench looking?

cstanton

Whether you're going for minimalism with a tiny desk , or you're deciding to finally get rid of that altoids tin of resistors, spring time can be an opportunity for a bit of a spruce up and a clean.

Are you perhaps considering a project to help keep your desk tidy? (Hmm, that sounds like a good idea)

Or are you looking to pick up some new equipment? I realised that I haven't checked out kickstarter for a while and that used to be a good place for something new and innovative.

What's your plan? Same old, same old? Or time for something new?

For me, I need an actual workbench!

  •    - You can build a workbench in a day.  Some plywood, a few 2x4s and lag bolts will get it done.  Add a sheet of white masonite bathroom paneling on top for a nice clean waterproof work surface and there you have it.  I built a cool U-shaped one in my first apartment at school.  Bolt on a long power strip and a small vise on the corner also.

    I have 4000 sq ft of lab at work to keep tidy (never happens), and a few rooms, garage, and basement at home that have been accumulating boxes of stuff for many years.  It's time for a garage sale.

    I remember when one of my father's friends gave me a dozen boxes of old ham radio parts and tubes and coils and stuff when he moved to Florida when I was only 10 or 11 years old.  Now I know why he gave it all away - he was just cleaning his basement.....

    They say you live your life in three modes, the first third of your life is wanting stuff, the second is accumulating stuff, the third is trying to get rid of stuff......

  • in reply to JWx

     I really don't have time to fiddle around with my live inventory.

  • in reply to rsc
    rsc said:
    You can build a workbench in a day.  Some plywood, a few 2x4s and lag bolts will get it done.  Add a sheet of white masonite bathroom paneling on top for a nice clean waterproof work surface and there you have it.

    Thank you for this suggestion.

    Renting and being in England is not accommodating to do any of this Smiley. Thankfully, I have my local Hackspace.

    rsc said:
    the third is trying to get rid of stuff......

    I'll admit that sometimes I feel like I've skipped to the end.

    rsc said:
    I have 4000 sq ft of lab at work to keep tidy (never happens), and a few rooms, garage, and basement at home that have been accumulating boxes of stuff for many years.  It's time for a garage sale.

    Impressive! I admit I am partly downsizing, and it's definitely still useful to be able to pull out of a drawer something that I need rather than ordering it from amazon :D

  • in reply to rsc

    @rsc - I’m definitely getting into the third stage although I would modify it to “the wife trying to get you to get rid of stuff” Sweat smile

  • in reply to ralphjy

     Truer words have never been spoken.  My wife as well.

  • in reply to kmikemoo

    Perhaps just liken your stuff to their growing collection of handbags Handbag and shoes High heel that are taking over the house...

    PS Just don't blame me if you then have to buy a bigger house though... Slight smile

  • I wouldn't describe my work bench as a disaster, although many others would. 

    The working envelope is however in a perpetually challenged state of apparatus and parts encroachment.

    Nobody would say it looks good - some might even say the word frightful was invented to describe my bench - my camera would probably balk at taking a picture.

  • in reply to beacon_dave
    beacon_dave said:
    Perhaps just liken your stuff to their growing collection of handbags  and shoes  that are taking over the house..

    We have a collection of hobbies.

    Which has the upside of "Oh I need to do..." a task, and usually find we have the equipment to do it, but the downside of "where do I put all of this equipment and its associated consumables!?"

    Storage is always at a premium. We've allowed some Lego into the house, but we both had to put a stop to that one :D 

  • in reply to ralphjy

    Nothing to be afraid of here, at least you can see the oscilloscope screen:
    image