Hi, I have a regular desk in my room. It's were I sold and fix electronic stuff, but many times, my desk is "full" of traces of solder, little balls of solder, tiny cables...

Should I use something like a cover metal plate or something like that, so my desk does not get dirty?
I was thinking about something like this:

That metal plate would cover almost all my desk table, where I would put the soldering iron station and all the stuff so I could solder over it.

Do you have any better advice or tips to transform a regular desk (intended for people to read or study) into a temporal work space?

 

Try Glass.
Thick tamper proof glass.

 

First of all, a conducting surface such as your metal plate is about the last thing you want to use. I am not sure what country you are in but Google soldering mats and you will come up with literally hundreds of sites. Find a good anti-static mat that fits your size and needs. If you want to go on the cheap side, find al old used mudflap from a highway tractor (transport) and it will suffice until you are ready to get the real deal.

 

Yeah, better, a soldering mat. I just found a blue one. It's $50, what the heck!?

I guess I could buy one under $10, right?

 

Simple two steps:
1. Put soldering equipment on the desk.
2. Done.

 

Simple two steps:
1. Put soldering equipment on the desk.
2. Done.

Hahaha, very funny, duh... but I was actually looking for something worth buying, such a soldering mat. I didn't know they existed 'till now.

 

hi,
I make a thin plywood base, say 3 to 5mm thick, big enough to provide a work area.
Fit a 3 inch vertical piece of wood along the back edge and 2 inch pieces along the each side, so it looks like a open fronted drawer.

The vertical pieces of wood are to stop bits rolling off into oblivion.

If you want to use your desk as a desk, just lift off plywood base drawer, with all the electronic bits on it and place it elsewhere while you use the desk.

E

 

hi,
I make a thin plywood base, say 3 to 5mm thick, big enough to provide a work area.
Fit a 3 inch vertical piece of wood along the back edge and 2 inch pieces along the each side, so it looks like a open fronted drawer.

The vertical pieces of wood are to stop bits rolling off into oblivion.

If you want to use your desk as a desk, just lift off plywood base drawer, with all the electronic bits on it and place it elsewhere while you use the desk.

E

Oh, thank you, but wouldn't a wooden base get burnt?

I mean, you're not supposed to touch any base with the soldering iron tip, but...

Anyways, I think it's a great idea and the most economic one.

 

I use a rubber doormat with course upright bumps on it.

It provides electrical isolation and prevents small nuts and screws from disappearing off to the floor.

 

I cut out a large rectangle of corrugated cardboard the size of my desktop from the box the flat-screen TV came in and use that as my work surface. Works great, and it's still in good shape after 5+ years.

 

I bought this kit some time ago:

http://www.apogeekits.com/antistatic_mat_astmg1.htm just the mat

http://www.apogeekits.com/esd_workstation_abws2.htm Full Kit

I has a very nice setup for using not only an ESD mat, but all the stuff to use the ESD wristband.

$55 seems stiff, but you will be much happier have at least one layer of protection from zapping parts.

Just so you know, I bought these for the workstations at work as well. They have now seen years of heavy use by a number of people including the sometimes-careless summer interns. They are quite durable.

ETA: Wrong part number, gave the mat, not the kit

Moderators note: corrected the first link

 

Hi, I have a regular desk in my room. It's were I sold and fix electronic stuff, but many times, my desk is "full" of traces of solder, little balls of solder, tiny cables...

Should I use something like a cover metal plate or something like that, so my desk does not get dirty?
I was thinking about something like this:

That metal plate would cover almost all my desk table, where I would put the soldering iron station and all the stuff so I could solder over it.

Do you have any better advice or tips to transform a regular desk (intended for people to read or study) into a temporal work space?

I second the glass suggestion. Anti-static concerns are another question.

 

Personally I would not recommend glass, with a little rubbing with fabric, your sleeves etc, it can build up a high static charge.
E

 

You could go this route...Never tried it myself.

 

You could go this route...Never tried it myself.

That is a blown fuse waiting to happen.

 

Get a 16" X 16" ceramic tile from Home Depot for your soldering area. Should be $5 or less.

 

I made my bench top out of masonite http://homeguides.sfgate.com/masonite-sheets-99455.html to be replaceable. It hasn't been replaced in nearly 1/2 a century. I also use a rubber mat of unknown origin.

The electronics benches at work used Formica. It will scratch, but it's easy to keep clean.

You can also save your (small change) and get some of the Panavise products. http://panavise.com/index.html?pageID=1&id1=1&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=1&--SECTIONSword=ww

 

That is a blown fuse waiting to happen.

Hey I'm in the fuse business. I need more repeat cost-numbers.

 

Use a silicone baking mat. They are rated for up to about 500 degrees F. However, I've never burnt one even with the soldering iron set to 700 degrees F.

Search <silicone baking mat> on Amazon to find lots of these mats. They are available for about $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Sili...479570569&sr=1-6&keywords=silicone+baking+mat