workbench

[Roger D Johnson]

I would like to cover the top of my wooden workbench
with something to both protect the top and radios
I'm working on. Something anti-static would be ideal.
Any ideas out there?

73, Roger

--
Remember the USS Liberty (AGTR-5)
http://ussliberty.org/
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[michael taylor-3]

On Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 5:02 PM, Roger D Johnson <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I would like to cover the top of my wooden workbench
>  with something to both protect the top and radios
>  I'm working on. Something anti-static would be ideal.
>  Any ideas out there?

Well my basement workbench had a sheet of 1/8" hardboard (aka
high-density fiberboard)  covering the workbench's pine top left by
the previous home owner, and I've found the hardboard easy to keep
clean and durable enough to handle my electrical, and light mechanical
work (i.e. Dremel rotary tool) typical of amateur radio building and
experimenting. It's loose, but large enough its weight holds it in
place, and easily replaceable if I do damage it too severely. About
half of the hardboard is covered with an anti-static mat, and the
other half I can use for soldering, etc.

I also happen to have a second workbench outside for larger wood
working or metal work, so the basement one is only used for "fine"
work. The excellent setup was not my ingenuity but is due to the
previous home owner (a retired machinist / millwright). My point
being, that your cover selection may be influenced by any secondary
(or primary) tasks your workbench may additionally have such as
lawnmower repair, or wood finishing (stains, sanding, etc.) area.

-Michael, VE3TIX
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Andrew Moore-3]

>  > I would like to cover the top of my wooden workbench
>  >  with something to both protect the top and radios
>  >  I'm working on. Something anti-static would be ideal.
>  >  Any ideas out there?

If you're trying to protect a nice finish underneath, a couple warnings:

1) some rubber mats might an leave a permanent mark or discoloration
on a wooden surface depending on how it's finished, what sort of mat
you use, etc.  Not sure why, but maybe something to do with whatever
chemicals are on the mat and how they react with with the surface.

2) wooden board on top of wooden desk will no doubt catch some grit
inbetween and ruin a nice surface.

If you care about what's underneath, maybe put down a big thin felt
pad, and lay your rugged work surface on top of that.  If you don't
care so much about the desktop, great - you've just found your
surface.
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Ken Kopp-3]

Here's a tip for care of hardboard (Masonite) bench
tops I learned a l-o-n-g time ago ...

Occasionally pour a bit of clean motor oil in a puddle
on the board and then rub it in with a rag,  You'll easily
see when it's "even".  Wipe away any excess ... if there
is any ... and you'll have a bench top that's far less likely
to scratch and gouge from equipment moving around.

No, it's not April 1st yet ... try it!

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
       [hidden email]

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[WILLIS COOKE]

I have used the Melamine coated board on bench tops in
the past.  It is easy to clean and does not absorb
water or chemicals easily.  It is a little more
expensive, but can last for years and looks quite
nice.  I cut it to size and hold the corners in place
with small nails.

--- Ken Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Here's a tip for care of hardboard (Masonite) bench
> tops I learned a l-o-n-g time ago ...
>
> Occasionally pour a bit of clean motor oil in a
> puddle
> on the board and then rub it in with a rag,  You'll
> easily
> see when it's "even".  Wipe away any excess ... if
> there
> is any ... and you'll have a bench top that's far
> less likely
> to scratch and gouge from equipment moving around.
>
> No, it's not April 1st yet ... try it!
>
> 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
>        [hidden email]
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
>
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Vic K2VCO]

WILLIS COOKE wrote:
> I have used the Melamine coated board on bench tops in
> the past.  It is easy to clean and does not absorb
> water or chemicals easily.  It is a little more
> expensive, but can last for years and looks quite
> nice.  I cut it to size and hold the corners in place
> with small nails.

This is what I used, but I attached it with double-sided tape because
the table that it is on has a nice surface that I didn't want to damage.

I attached an aluminum yardstick to the front (also with double-sided
tape). This comes in handy for cutting wire to length, but it's also
connected to ground via a 1 meg resistor. My wrist strap and a couple of
alligator clips are similarly connected.
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[DW Holtman]

Hello,

If you put a coat of India Ink, it will make Masonite conductive enough to
make a home brew ESD mat. It must them be grounded. This is according to a
QST "Hints and Kinks" article from Jan 2000. If anyone would like a copy of
the article, let me know. I cannot put an attachment on forum mail.

Best,
DW Holtman
WB7SSN

----- Original Message -----
From: "Vic K2VCO" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 10:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Hardboard (Masonite) bench tops

> WILLIS COOKE wrote:
>> I have used the Melamine coated board on bench tops in
>> the past.  It is easy to clean and does not absorb
>> water or chemicals easily.  It is a little more
>> expensive, but can last for years and looks quite
>> nice.  I cut it to size and hold the corners in place
>> with small nails.
>
> This is what I used, but I attached it with double-sided tape because the
> table that it is on has a nice surface that I didn't want to damage.
>
> I attached an aluminum yardstick to the front (also with double-sided
> tape). This comes in handy for cutting wire to length, but it's also
> connected to ground via a 1 meg resistor. My wrist strap and a couple of
> alligator clips are similarly connected.
> --
> 73,
> Vic, K2VCO
> Fresno CA
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com 

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com