[Elecraft] Anti Static Bench

[Edward R Cole]

In my hamshack (spare bedroom) I have my electronic workbench which 
is a 4-foot Sears workbench with tool cabinet to which I extended the 
top with a 3-foot piece of particle-board shelving held up with big 
shelf brackets to the wall.

I built my KXPA-100 kit with anti-static matt lain on the bench top, 
yesterday.  If there is suitable prop on 20m today, I will check into 
the Elecraft Net with it driven by my K3/10.  Have not, yet, 
connected the KX3 via the optional control cables.  I was surprised 
that the amp was driven fully with only 3w from the K3/10 on HF; 
takes 8w on 6m for 80w.

Also surprised with its size; very suitable partner with the KX3 (or my K3/10).

73, Ed
PS: we were shaken up early this morning by 7.1 earthquake about 80 
mi sw of us.  Mostly stuff knocked off shelves and loss of utility 
power for a few hours.  It did snap the drawer runner for one of my 
drawers in the bathroom.  There was a 6.4 earthquake 2-seconds later 
5-mi from the first so we got the combined jolts - lasted about a minute.

From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Anti Static Bench
Message-ID: <56A42211.6020208 at embarqmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

Rich,

I agree with Alan - there is no information about the "ESD qualities" of
that top.

You may have better luck if you contact a local cabinetmaker and ask him
to build a top using laminate (like a kitchen countertop) to whatever
size you want.  Then get a proper ESD mat from a good supplier and place
it on the workbench top.  That is what I use, but I built my own (I ran
a custom woodworking shop to 10 years, so constructing such a workbench
was not a chore for me).  The ESD mat does not necessarily have to cover
the entire workbench, only the working area.

I suspect the total cost will be less than the workbench top you were
looking at.

73,
Don W3FPR



73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     dubususa at gmail.com