[time-nuts] Test Equipment Tables

[Ralph Smith]

You can make a lighter, stronger, more rigid tabletop using torsion box construction. Use 1/2 plywood for the top and bottom. Use 1x1 strips of a hardwood such as poplar to crate a lattice spaced at 6 inch intervals in between, glued along the lengths of the lattice. I use brads during construction to ensure the lattice stays in place while the glue cures, but the structural strength comes from proper glue bonds along the lattice.

Ralph

On Jan 24, 2010, at 10:03 AM, Bob Camp wrote:

> Hi
> 
> If you are looking for massive tables on the cheap, you can indeed build them. Have the local Home Depot rip some plywood to an appropriate width and glue four sheets one on top of the other. 2x4's or 4x4's make fine legs and support structure under the table top. I have 16 feet of it sitting in the basement. No test gear on it at all. Other hobbies seem to have taken over the entire space...
> 
> The only real drawback is that it's a build in place item. You aren't going to take it with you when you move. There are various versions of that table scattered all over the US. 
> 
> Bob
> 
> 
> On Jan 23, 2010, at 7:48 PM, Mike Feher wrote:
> 
>> I also had similar problems with my 8 ft tables for my test equipment. I
>> found at Home Depot replacement fold down legs. I bought some, and installed
>> them right in the middle of the tables. No more sagging problems. I had to
>> shorten the legs somewhat as they were a few inches too long. But, have
>> supported hundreds of ponds for many years now with no sigh of
>> warping/sagging. 73 - Mike
>> 
>> Mike B. Feher, N4FS
>> 89 Arnold Blvd.
>> Howell, NJ, 07731
>> 732-886-5960
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
>> Behalf Of John Miles
>> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 7:38 PM
>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
>> 
>>> Another important aspect of the electronic test bench is the furniture.
>>> 
>>> I started with the cheapie particle board "fold up legged" tables and
>>> very soon
>>> learned they could not hold much weight without significant sagging.
>> 
>> If you have the space, you could do what I do, and bolt multiple folding
>> tables together with 'L'- and 'T'-shaped flat metal brackets.  The idea,
>> besides adding surface area, is to dampen the tables' tendency to wobble.
>> This adds a surprising amount of stability and load-bearing capacity.  It
>> completely eliminates the need to add a center leg, which is otherwise
>> pretty much mandatory when using folding tables.
>> 
>> With cheap folding tables, you don't have to feel bad about drilling into
>> your workbench or otherwise marring and gouging it.  Every few years, or
>> when you move, just throw the old folding table away and spend $39.95 on
>> another one.  Voila, a brand new workbench.
>> 
>>> Many industrial equipment catalogs will give you an idea of the
>>> accessories possible.
>>> Shelves, drawers, electrical outlet strips.etc.
>>> 
>>> An effective infrastructure will allow the test bench to gradually grow,
>>> as the budget allows.
>> 
>> Also, HP/Agilent equipment racks are sometimes available on eBay.  These are
>> nothing like the relay racks or server racks that you commonly see in data
>> centers.  They are *stout*.  They're very expensive when new, but almost
>> free for the shipping when bought used.  I used generic shelving units to
>> hold test equipment for a long time, but once you use real racks, you won't
>> go back.
>> 
>> An Agilent E3662A/B rack can hold up to 81 EIA units of gear weighing up to
>> 1800 pounds.  I have three in my living room and wish I had more...
>> 
>> -- john, KE5FX
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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