Electronics Workbench

[smithellis]

I assume this counts as a tool - I'm looking for an electronics workbench for my workshop. I've seen some at Lowe's/Depot, but they are small and relatively flimsy - and seem expensive for the value.

I'm not looking to build/hack one together - I have projects to work on that are more important to me than building a workbench. Anyone have a recommendation? I need lighting, electrical outlets, sturdy place to mount a vise - and a reasonable price tag.

Thanks!

[pstemari]

Good, cheap, fast: pick two.

The commercial benches I've seen have been in the $500+ range.

A solid core door, 4 4x4's, some brackets, and a Wiremold will run <$150, and you'll be able to jump up and down on the result with impunity. I suspect assembly time will be less than the typical piece of knocked-down furniture out of a box.

[mikeselectricstuff]

In a day you can get some wood and easily build something exactly the right shape, size and height for your space and needs - this will be time well spent.

[AvalonBeer]

Yup, a solid core door is the best tabletop. I generally prop them up with a pair of two drawer file cabinets. It's usually a good idea to paint or varnish the top to control splinters. If you want to get fancy you can glue on a sheet of formica.

[mikeselectricstuff]

banned worktops are cheap and good surface-wise, although they tend to have a curved front edge which makes things roll off too easily.

[Philly]

I used banned worktop. I Love the curved edge, stops the sore arms when leaning on it.

[andyx]

I just use an adjustable height 72"X30" plastic folding table. Behind it I have track mounted shelves to keep most tools and frequently used gear. I have a 16 outlet trip-lite power strip mounted on the wall. I also have a second smaller table which has a Dremel drill press and assorted incomplete projects and/or parts or salvage that are waiting for a purpose. My CB vice works fine on my plastic tables, but even a real vice could be mounted with some plywood and clamps. I've found that the heavy duty plastic tables work great and get more stable with some weight on them. For lighting I use a floor rolling magnifier with a light. I like being able to scoot it where ever I need it and use the telescoping arm to position the light and use the magnifier when soldering.

The shelves with the folding table(s) also makes it easier to take over a spare room by telling the significant other that the table can be folded up and put away when guests visit. Before she/he knows it the place is solid electronics from floor to ceiling.

[WildBill]

I know you said you did not want to build one, there are a lot to choose from, this is just one example, looks to have everything but lighting for just over 100 bucks, to add the lighing, you can get 2 folding lamps and use the clamps that come with them to attach to the top shelf, not sure that counts as building, this does have outlets and looks like it would hold a vice.
http://www.amazon.com/TENNSCO-Workbench ... s_indust_1

Alternatively, a short visit to Home Depot and well under 100 bucks plus a few hours work will get you a very good workbench, personally I never liked metal benches, so I went with 3/4" ply (about $18) - cut, a can of spray on glue for flooring ($2), 10'x2' pieces of soft plastic flooring cut to length from a roll ($8), few 2x4's, some plastic edge molding (cleans up the edges) and a few plug stripes on the back lower table on a 2x4 backstop. Plug strips were the most expensive parts, I do have two lamps I can clamp to the top shelf when I need more light and there is a small flor light you can't see under the top shelf, as well as additional plug strips mounted under the main bench area. It is 5' wide by 4 feet deep, and you can make it what ever height suits you, I stash more parts and tool bin under on the left and right. I put up shop lights in the ceiling and as you can see that is a no flash picture with just one bank of lights on. Seems you can never have too much light.

Excuse the mess I am in mid-project on something not going as well as I would like at the moment... As you can see you can get a lot on it and at 3/4" ply and 2x4 support you can make it any size that suits you.

Good luck which ever way you go.