Setting up a new bench - need some seasoned advice

[Gainzilla]

Hey guys,

I'm going to be buying a house within the next month or so and will have the opportunity to build a shop bench. I'm going to be using it as a multi-purpose bench, so I'll need to be able to do some light wood/metalworking, as well as do the majority of my amp/pedal building.

I don't plan on making a ton of sawdust, and could plan on some kind of DIY dust collection. I do plan on getting some things I've always wanted (table saw, router, small drill press, etc. I'm really excited about this project. The catch is, I'd like to do it on a DIY kind of budget. I'm looking for general guidelines, dos/donts, etc. Anything specific I should be thinking about for such a bench?

So far I'm thinking:
- should be tall enough to work comfortably when standing, but also work well if seated at a bench and soldering.
- some kind of shelf. I've goot an old oscilloscope that I'd like to keep off the bench. Plan on getting other necessities like bench too supplies, dummy loads, etc, and would like to keep those out of the way but accessible
- Tool storage?
- Amp building supplies and component storage?
- I don't want to inhale fumes anymore. Any cheap but effective solutions for this? Computer fan in a window with a flexible hose?

I know I just threw a ton of stuff out there, but any info would help. Even if it's just the top 3 things to keep in mind, or maybe you've got an awesome bench plan you'd like to share.

Thanks in advance!

- Bryce

[Firestorm]

I'd be thinking more than one bench (I have three, plus totally separate places for table saw and router table). Keep one space for amp and pedal building, something with drawers for some tools, wire, solder, miscellany. Put a peg board behind it for screwdrivers and pliers and cutters/strippers. Put the drill press on another bench (or spring for a standing one). If you're like me, the cleanest, most pristine surface will get piled with crap in two projects or fewer.

[stretch2011]

I agree with firestorm.

[Phil_S]

A wood working bench is a stand up affair. I'd say ~34-38" high depending on your body size. An electronics work bench is better for sitting in a chair and that's normally 30" high. In addition, the kind of dirt you make on a wood working table isn't really compatible with electronics work. I think you'll find that you've got to clear the wood working stuff to work on electronics (and you'll be standing up) and vice-versa.

There are tons of youtube videos on woodworking benches and I highly recommend you spend some time watching. There are ones with vices and there are ones without. Some can be made inexpensively and if you are clever about the supplies, you can reduce cost considerably.

For an electronics workbench, I suggest a used furniture store. Look for a computer desk, no drawers, but maybe a large shelf underneath, and with hutch type shelves above.

[The New Steve H]

Sooner or later you will want to sit, so avoid my mistake. Before you build the bench, find a good stool or whatever, and have it handy when you do your design. Make sure your knees don't hit anything, and that your feet have a place to go.

Someone suggested I make a bench with a replaceable MDF top. I didn't do that, but I think it's a good move. It's nice to know that what you do to your top doesn't matter.

Make sure the top doesn't have crevices stuff can fall into.

I have seen electrical power strips and outlets at foot height, knee height, and crotch height. I would avoid crotch height. They will poke you all day, they'll be in the way, and I actually saw a guy catch a scary arc to the zipper once.

Foot level is nice because if you step on a cord, you're not likely to yank it out, but you will definitely step on cords a lot, and you have to bend over to use the sockets.

[gingertube]

Don't forget power outlets with a RCD.
Cheers
Ian

[boots]

I've been thinking I need a separate bench just for disassembling and reassembling amps that I am repairing. Sometimes you need a lot of room to do that. A big table with lots of room and good light. And then a separate bench for doing the actual wiring/soldering, with a good magnifier light.

I think the disassembly/reassembly table would be a huge improvement for me. I will be putting up a new garage this summer with a separate shop room, so I am also thinking about how best to arrange everything.

Of course, the woodworking/cab making area is a different thing altogether. The more room, the better.

[Phil_S]

What Boots says, good light is really important. The older you get the more light you need. It is good the florescent bulbs are out of style -- the color temperature was awful anyway. I'm partial to incandescent bulbs. I recently bought a battery powered LED lantern (couldn't resist) and that thing is really bright and very handy. Look into some LED lighting.

[boots]

LED's are amazing. Very bright, low power consumption, they hardly ever go bad. A single LED bulb hooked to a 9V battery will just about blind you. I can't find anything wrong with them. We have been slowly phasing all the light bulbs in our house over to LED's.

Now I need to figure out how to get an LED that fits my magnifier lamp for my workshop!

[xtian]

I use a pair of OttLites:

http://www.amazon.com/OttLite-957PN4-Cr ... B0057A67BE

The bulb is fluro, but it's a really nice daylight color, and strobing is minimal (I don't notice).

[sliberty]

I have a table standing jewelers lighted magnifying glass.
I also have the headband style jewelers magnifying glasses, the ones that flip up out of the way, and pull down to be used.
Both come in pretty handy.
Also, if you don't already have one, build the Aiken dummy load, and keep it handy. I also keep my Weber style audio probe and a little powered speaker on hand for tracing through amps with an audio input signal, usually produced on my iPhone (I don't have a real signal generator, but there's an app for that )
.

[TUBEDUDE]

I'd recommend you do the woodworking in a different area than the electonics bench room. Maybe in a laundry room, or garage.

[Bob S]

It's a trap.
The more benches tools & storage you get, the more stuff you will bury them under. Again & again.
I know this.

[boots]

Good point about the woodworking in a different area.

Also, never do metal work (drilling, grinding, etc.) anywhere near your speakers - the tiny metal frags will end up stuck to the speaker magnets.

[Gainzilla]

Thanks for all the great ideas, guys! I've got about 30 days before we close, so theres time.

One idea I had was to build a portable woodworking station and do all that outside. I found a great tutorial to build a portable table saw, scroll saw, router box. Folds up super compact, and is on wheels.

I'm definitely planning to use the dummy load. I built an audio probe, and use it in combination with one of those battery powered Marshall half stacks and my iPhone (signal generator app).

Also, great tip about the lighting. My current light is sub-par. This is one area I really want to improve.

Thanks again for all the great ideas.

Cheers,

- Bryce