diy Hobbyist Workbench - How to Setup Safe at minimum Cost?

[Dandy]

Hi to all,  I think it’s nice to share the know how to fellow hobbyist  who will setup an Electronics Workbench,  re-setup or overhaul his setup- this thread is for us, sharing, experience and get to know the minimum requirement to make our working bench safe for our hobby and for ourselves.

When I was young once, I read the following article from Alexan EE, EEPC  (I cannot remember the exact article tittle)
1.    A Guidelines on Working Bench, safety about Electric Shock
2.   Handling Sensitive device including recommended bench and protection /ESD grounding
3.   Neglecting Standard which Risk your life

Also read some article and recommendation
4.   Equipment needed in electronics building
5.   How to succeed in electronic kit building

Those were the days when Internet is  just a dream to me.   Now, things can be easy with Google, but sometimes, it do not answer  what I need, or the setup is not what I need or too expensive.  Some I searched, others  links cannot be open or broken link

http://www.jaysonjc.com/diy/how-to-set-up-an-electronics-labworkshop-at-home.html

http://ask.metafilter.com/22518/Electronics-workbench-recommendations

What I remember is that,  those Article from EE/EEPC targeted the common hobbyist like me (who do not have bulky wallet).,  too bad, I lost my copy,  I hate those insects in my stock room in Baguio City, worst is that, the temperature makes the paper easily destroyed.

I see the thread here about setting up a ESD free workbench,    http://www.electronicslab.ph/forum/index.php?topic=34653.0

[Dandy]

Now, I got this new table, waiting for action,  what should I do?


While waiting, researching,   let the mini Aquarium rest on it,  its nice to bring the ocean and see the fish  into you electronic working area.


while the soldering iron is waiting for action for some project for the 2nd half of 2012.



Critical  Question :
a)  ESD :
Baguio City is cold place (well, hotter than before, 20 years ago), it is happening that ESD build up on human body.  This could be the explanation why some IC do not work at first time or damage sometimes  in some project we built.

b)  GND Systems
If I am at the 4rth floor, how to connect or how to have a  good GND?  What is the proper way to connect it,   connect to where?

c)  Soldering
How to connect the GND of my soldering to common GND in “b” above.  Maybe consider also leadfree soldering tip and soldering lead?  Or should I continue to use the non –leadfree?  Any benefits?
 

[Gwenda]

To answer your questions:
  a)  Only MOS ICs and components are susceptible to ESD, like CMOS, FETs, most micros, etc.  ESD is damaging only if there is a voltage potential between you and the part you are going to hold or work on.  To dissipate ESD, you can wear a wriststrap tied to your (conductive) work area.  Or touch a grounded object before you do your work.
        I see that your new workbench is non-metallic.  That could be a problem.

  b)  You can maybe get good grounding from a GI pipe, but it's not a guarantee.  Or look for the an A/C receptacle if the 3rd slot is actually grounded.  Use a neon tester to check.

  c)  It is sometimes not good to directly ground a soldering iron tip.  Put a 10R or lower resistor from the tip to ground.  This is an electrical safety precaution.  It's up to you and your wallet if you would want to comply with RoHS (lead-free soldering).

[glutnix_neo]

Personal preference ko pa rin ang non lead free kasi mas madaling maghinang.

Pwede kayo bumili or gumawa ng smoke absorber and the working area must be well ventilated. A mask would also help when you're soldering.This one looks cool,




hehehe, of course hindi ito ang tinutukoy kong mask.

[Gwenda]

Ay naku naman,,, lead-free soldering should not be our worry for our hobby, altho it helps, a little.  Kasi the concern is the disposal of these leaded materials when the time comes.  Dito sa Pinas, we are so polluted that for our use, konti lang ito compared to the toxic problems nationwide.

[_basura_man()]

kahit yung wood materials muna na mesa ok na,pwede ding lagyan ng static mat.meron na sa deeco 350 ata kaso maliit lang,sa bahay i use 3 maliliit na mesa covered with static math saka if walang paglagyan pwede yung nabibiling plastic container sa japan home center then lagyan ng aluminum foil,kung may kakilala kayong may mga static bag,ayus na ayus yan if wala pwede ding bumili ng aluminum trays dami sa supermarket nyan.

Heto set-up ko sa mga nagsisimula:

1.Bench-preferred ko yung kahoy para iwas ESD,madaming computer bench na medyo malaki fro 1K to 3K,mas ok kung madaming drawers mas maraming mailalagay abot kamay,pag madaming tools pwedeng isabit para makita mo kaagad minsan mahirap maghanap kaya mas ok kung nakaayos.

2.Computer chair-wood sana kaso mahirap maghanap ESD nanaman problem, mas ok siguro mag-invest sa ESD strap mura lang naman.

3.Blower Fan/particulate mask-smoke absorber sana or fan diretso sa binta masakit din sa ilong yung lead fumes.

4.Soldering Iron station,temp controlled,SMD tip,medium tip at High Power Tip(chisel type),mas ok madami kang tips para sa pagrerework at paghihinang ng SMD,meron hakko clone sa e-gizmo mas madaling uminit kaysa sa original hakko,sa quiapo naman AEOLUS meron din clones ng Hakko soldering station,better to invest dito para di maworntout yung PCB mo due to uncontrollable temp.

5.Soldering lead 1 spool/soldering wick 1 can-para madaling magrework at di ka bili ng bili ng kokonting lead better to invest 1 spool.

6.Stranded wire AWG22 at Solid Wire AWG22-mas ok kung ibat ibat kulay like Black,Brown,Red,Orange,Yellow,Green,Violet,Gray and White the better,maganda kung madami at nakaspool pero pwede ding at least 3 types muna na kulay at least 5meter each para di maantala sa kakabili ng wire.

7.Hot-air(optional) at capton tape-gamit din sa pagrerewok lalo na sa SMD at BGA types na board.

8.Resistors-common-values/Capacitors-common values,pwedeito ilagay sa plastic container di naman ESD sensitive mga ito.

9.Desk Lamp/Third Hand Too with manifying glassl-para sa critical na pagaasemble/rework.

10.Camera with macro(optional)-mas ok kung nakazoom kung mag FA ka sa masyadong complex na board.

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before you rock sir dapat 1/2" thick glass on top muna kawawa yong mesa  

make some space for pc w/ 24" monitor dapat katabi mo ito sa upuan ng mesa for instant google, ckt sims and mcu softwares habang rorampa saka dapat katabi rin ang drawing table for sketching a model  

[_basura_man()]

invest din sa extension sockets na durable like omni at panther they have built in breaker at surge protector pero mas recommended ko yung panther na metallic enclosure at may breaker/surge protector at mahaba pa i think may 3-5 meters extensions,yung experiment ko dyan is yung plantsa nakatiwangwang lang parang nakalimutang bunutin,eventually magtitrip na yung breaker kapag nareach na yung rated current ng breaker

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importante nga yan ilagay sa may leg ng mesa idikit ang 2 X 5  3prong universal sockets with 5 Amps mcb/(gfci) protection para iwas shockwaves  

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Ay naku naman,,, lead-free soldering should not be our worry for our hobby, altho it helps, a little.  Kasi the concern is the disposal of these leaded materials when the time comes.  Dito sa Pinas, we are so polluted that for our use, konti lang ito compared to the toxic problems nationwide.

 i luv lead plates for anti hi- power wave penetration 

[Dandy]

4.Soldering Iron station,temp controlled,SMD tip,medium tip at High Power Tip(chisel type),mas ok madami kang tips para sa pagrerework at paghihinang ng SMD,meron hakko clone sa e-gizmo mas madaling uminit kaysa sa original hakko,sa quiapo naman AEOLUS meron din clones ng Hakko soldering station,better to invest dito para di maworntout yung PCB mo due to uncontrollable temp.

7.Hot-air(optional) at capton tape-gamit din sa pagrerewok lalo na sa SMD at BGA types na board.

9.Desk Lamp/Third Hand Too with manifying glassl-para sa critical na pagaasemble/rework.

10.Camera with macro(optional)-mas ok kung nakazoom kung mag FA ka sa masyadong complex na board.

Salamat po sa sagot.   #4 saka #7,  balak ko iyong 2-in-1 SMD Soldering Station,  soldering iron saka hot air,  wala ata dito sa Baguio naghanap na ako sa mga store dito,  sa Raon mayroon ba, pabili kaya kay ate richa sa tsina.  More and more SMD na kasi, kaya anticipating na kailangan itong rework station. 

#9 and 10,  definitely kailangan ko iyan,  ito hindi maganda sa tumatanda humihina ang mata.

Still researching kung paano i-connect ang working table sa ground,  iyong totoong ground, di pa din ako nakabili ng green color na ESD mat.

[Dandy]

one of the versatile and most usable tool on hobbyist bench is the digital meter or multimeter.  What is the best digital meter for :

1.  hobbyist - general use, dapat mayroon na  testing sa capacitor at inductor, iyong iba mayroon na Temperature

isama na din ang applications sa
2.  precission - for precise measurement up to 5 digits.
3.  Testing with Automation na mayroon na din data log capability

[Super zHero]

Linoleum flooring material ba ESD safe?  Kasi iyon gamit ko protection layer sa workbench ko?

[Dandy]

parating na ang ESD mat ko mula sa mga friend sa Tsina,  List  of outstanding Problem :

a)  Paano i-connect   ang ESD mat sa GND
Parang may mga connector ito na ikaka bit doon sa ESD mat para effective.  iyong sa akin wala itong connector, di napasama sa order

b)  I connect ang GND  kung nasa 4rth floor ka ng building

c) Wala ako lucky para makita pa ang topic na ito sa EE magazine :
1.    A Guidelines on Working Bench, safety about Electric Shock
2.   Handling Sensitive device including recommended bench and protection /ESD grounding
3.   Neglecting Standard which Risk your life
ito kasi, pang hobbyist ang setup (could be also profesional setup).  Help for those who have copy, salamat.

[Super zHero]

I recommend Fluke with true RMS reading for your choice of DMM.  Expensive but you won't regret it.  Agilent is also a good choice but more expensive.

As for getting a ground from your location, read yung post ni Gwenda last July 5.  I hope it works.

[Dandy]

I recommend Fluke with true RMS reading for your choice of DMM.  Expensive but you won't regret it.  Agilent is also a good choice but more expensive.

Puwede i-consider ito sa precission measurement, pang hobby lang puwede na sa akin ang UNI-T o Victor brand, UNI-T price is 3~4 times cheaper than those of Fluke

[Dandy]

hi to all,  as an additional info, follow at http://www.1diycentre.com/articleHOBBYistworkbenc.html

working on how to get a good GND,

To answer your questions:
  b)  You can maybe get good grounding from a GI pipe, but it's not a guarantee.  Or look for the an A/C receptacle if the 3rd slot is actually grounded.  Use a neon tester to check.

[♪ ♫ ♫ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♫ ♫ ♫]

grounding mat sa buong mesa?  di ba mas ok kung grounding strap lang sa kamay at insulated ang surface ng mesa.

[Dandy]

just use the ESD mat.  When I work with sensitive ICs (MCU, DSP, Nand Flash, etc),  I just need first  to touch the metal case of my PC or our faucet to discharge any accumulated charge from my body.  I changed the retractable foam chair with a plastic chair.

Sorry mga Sirs, maybe the website where I post my update is down that time, here one again the link:
http://www.1diycentre.com/articleHOBBYistworkbenc.html

[♪ ♫ ♫ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♫ ♫ ♫]

one of the versatile and most usable tool on hobbyist bench is the digital meter or multimeter.  What is the best digital meter for :

1.  hobbyist - general use, dapat mayroon na  testing sa capacitor at inductor, iyong iba mayroon na Temperature

isama na din ang applications sa
2.  precission - for precise measurement up to 5 digits.
3.  Testing with Automation na mayroon na din data log capability

yong clamp ammeter na ac/dc multitester. madaling sumukat ng amperahe hindi na kailangan pang e series yong tester saka iwas putok ng tester  you may try this http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=26&prodid=77