[Elecraft] Anti Static Bench

[Mark Goldberg]

I agree with the previous responses. ESD material does wear out,
especially in my dry climate. It has to be replaced once in a while.
In commercial operations is is tested on a schedule and discarded if
it does not pass. It has to be conductive enough to keep parts from
damage and resistive enough to not allow a shock.

I would like to offer another option.

Home Depot will sell you workbench legs, I bought these but they have
several sizes. They were shipped free

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Edsal-33-in-Adjustable-Height-Workbench-Legs-ABL30/204417821;jsessionid=E3520EC0F5BF7CC72323A1EF2F5C2DE0
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Edsal-5-in-x-72-in-Work-Bench-Stringer-ST72/204417825

I then laminated 1/8 masonite on a solid core door, routed the edges
and put oak edge banding on just for grins to make the bench tops. I
also but blocks under the legs to make it taller for a stand up bench.

Take a look at my qrz.com page for pictures.

It saved a bunch of money over a standard lab type workbench and I had
fun making it. A standard countertop or similar would go on the legs
easily, they just screw onto the bottom. The legs are very sturdy. I
just put ESD mat on the work surface area. The edge banding was not
the best idea, it tends to chip easily. I connected my ground system
to the metal legs, maybe it helps as a counterpoise, maybe it makes no
difference.

73,

Mark
W7MLG


On Sat, Jan 23, 2016 at 6:28 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX <rmcgraw at blomand.net> wrote:
> Places such as LOWE'S and HOME DEPOT carry stock counter tops. Usually in 4
> ft, 6 ft, 8 ft and 10 ft lengths of several different colors.  Standard
> depth including the back splash is about 25".    I have used one for years.