Back in April I posted about a goal I had for this year: setting up a decent workbench for myself in a corner of my (minuscule) home office. As the year comes to an end, I think it’s time for an update.
Did it happen exactly as planned? No…
Did I make progress? Yes!
So what happened?
We’re in limbo right now. We live in a rented apartment, which the owner has put on the market for sale. That means at any given day we may get a 30-day notice to vacate. I simply didn’t feel it was worth it to go all the way with getting rid of stuff to make room for a bigger table (it will inevitably happen when we have to move) and buying the table/bench (that would have to fit the exact dimensions of the space available here, possibly not being the ideal size for the next place) just yet.
I did make some improvements: I doubled my work area (with an additional table – another dinner tray table! – I use when I’m working on something) and I added a few items to my set of equipment. I got a digital multimeter (my old one is analog, which I still keep as I read it can be useful to show changes in values) a bench-top power supply, hot glue gun, several large breadboards, much needed tools and a myriad of parts.
All in all I don’t have the workbench I had envisioned (yet), but I have a bigger workspace, much needed new equipment and a lot more parts to play with!
On a related note, I came up with ideas for two bigger projects I want to work on which will be ongoing, in addition to the small stuff I build for learning purposes. I’ve placed quite a few orders from DigiKey, Jameco clearance center and CuteDigi lately, that I’m sure my husband now fears I have a shopping addiction… I am excited to start working on these projects and sharing them here. Stay tuned!
My current setup:
The work area:
And storage:
How about you? What is your workbench setup like? Are you planning any improvements and/or additions in 2012?
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+Natalia F Norman
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow,
Thanks for sharing your work space. This reminds me of my dad so much. I had a flash back. My father was a director at National semiconductor where he worked for over a decade as an electrical engineer. He always was tinkering and i remember all the little bits and pieces in the garage. His workspace. diagrams.
Good luck on your inevitable move once the owners sell the place. I don’t envy you. :O
Thanks for stopping by. One day the entire garage shall be mine…. mwahahaha…
Evil. Where will your significant other park the car?
Nice. My workbench is a sort of a virtual, portable concept which can only manifest on any flat surface for which I’m able to shove a bunch of junk out of the way. I’ve been dreaming of a proper electronics workbench for awhile now. Your post is part of my recent motivation to purge stuff I don’t need to free up space. Somehow, by juggling the remaining mountains of crap around, I hope to make room for a real, permanent, electronics bench somewhere… So far I’ve managed to acquire approximately 1/2 of the garage but… since I want to stay married, I must yield to my dear wife’s desire to park her car inside
Michael, I’m so glad I’ve inspired you to get rid of the clutter in order to create a permanent workbench for you. Increasing my work area was only possible for me after some serious decluttering, so I can relate.