[ARC5] A Boatanchor Bench, Pre-Chaos

[David Stinson]

Some of our folks asked for details on my bench,
so
clipped this from a letter, in case you find it
interesting:

73 OM DE Dave AB5S

("it's so clean")
Oh, it won't stay that way long.  
Left side: 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/D4XvxaGivR46r1rr2
Test equipment most often used is facing the
bench-
Power supplies, freq counter, audio generator,
less often used tester gear is stacked behind it.
Lower shelves are for power hand tools.  

Bench has the "Holy Trinity" every BA Fixer
must have at hand:  Meter, Scope and Cap Tester.
The "Ready Bin" on the bench has "constant use"
hand tools,
 the kind you use constantly during a project like
hemostats,
 tweezers, small flashlight, small dykes and small
needle-nose. 
 If an item isn't used every 5 or 10 minutes, 
it doesn't belong in the "Ready Bin."
The shelf above doesn't go the whole way across
because that
area is for "tall" projects, like an ART-13 on its
side.

Right Side:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/B746g1SozBvf7HQ52
Hand tools, power supplies, chemicals and service
monitor. 
Bins for Tuning tools, Slot and Phillips
screwdrivers, Hex/Torx/Bristol, 
nut drivers, pliers-Vice-Grips, plus bins for
box-end, drill bits,
less-often used hand tools in back.  28V and 12V
bench supplies 
on one shelf, bottom has other test equipment like
tube testers.

 My Daddy tried and tried to teach me how to
keep-up with the 
tools and keep a "clean" workbench:  "When you
finish with a hand tool,
even if you think you'll need it again in a few
minutes, put it back in
the respective bin.  Between stages of a project
(i.e. replace a part,
hook it up for testing is the "next stage), clear
all the tools off the 
bench and into their bins unless you need them
that moment.  Do 
it every time until it's a habit.  Yes; you will
be retrieving some things 
a few minutes later, but you will be rewarded with
a clean bench and
tools you can find.  And if you're grabbing that
same tool every three 
minutes, it should be in your "Ready" bin,
anyway).

Alas, despite my good intentions and attempts to 
form better habits.  I remain a bench slob. 
 My only solace is my dear father's admonitions
about workbench
 order, he also often "honored in the breach" ;-)
 Shortly before he passed from this life, he and I
were in his workshop
(which we built along with my younger brother in
about 1976- 24x24 ft.).
He was showing me his various projects and telling
of his plans
for them.  I acknowledged and encouraged, all the
while knowing
that he could not finish even one in the short
time left to him.
But that dark shade over my heart he lifted when
he pointed to 
the general chaos around him and said:  "I'm going
to get the biggest
laugh looking down on you kids trying to figure
out what to 
do with this mess!"   I miss him every day, and
was so blessed to have
had a real father I admired.

OK- Your bench!