My Workshop

My workshop is divided between an electronics/computer area and a mechanical work space with power tools. My photo studio is on the other side of the basement in order to keep it as clean as possible. I am always adding equipment and tools to my workshops and some days it seems I need more room, especially for storage of materials.


Electronics Workbench

The electronics workbench is separate from the mechanical work area in order to provide a cleaner work area and to create an anti-static environment. The workbench is equipped with common test equipment found in an electronics shop including an oscilloscope, voltage and current meters, power supplies, RF generator, audio generators, RF frequency meter, soldering unit, and small hand tools.

A wide electronics workbench about sever feet long which provides an anti-static environment for repairing computers and other electronics using common electronic test equipment and small hand tools.

Electronic Parts Storage

An important part of any electronics workshop is a supply of common electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, transformers, and solid state components. This is where those parts are stored in a somewhat organized method. Some parts are old, but it is surprising how they often come in handy. Hanging on the closet door is a poster of one of the robots I experimented with in 1985, the RB5X. Unfortunately the company went bankrupt, but the left over parts were purchased by another company, who still offers educational versions of the unit for sale.

Shelves of book are seen with many small part drawers sitting on top that contain electronic parts. There is also a storage closet with a personal robot on the door.

 Mechanical Workbench

The mechanical workbench provides a space to assemble and repair all types of projects. In addition to the workbench, there are many hand and power tools including an assortment of routers, saber saws, hand drills, a table saw, and drill press. The shop also has many hand tools collected over the many years for performing all types of mechanical and electrical work.

A large workbench for performing mechanical repairs and assembly including a wide range of power tools including a table saw and shop vacuum.

Lathe and Vertical Mill

In the summer of 2019 I finally took the plunge and purchase a lathe and vertical milling machine. I had always wanted a lathe since I was in junior high school and learned how to machine on a South Bend 10 inch lathe. This lathe has a 4-inch swing since it is a mini-lathe. The vertical milling machine is also considered a mini-mill, but it has plenty of power to do work one just about anything I would have in the shop. I purchased them from the Little Machine Shop in California. I am still relearning how to use them and plan on doing some builds down the road. Always wanted to build a little steam engine from scratch. Both machines will come in handy for repairs, which I have done several since the purchase of them. 

A small photography studio with soft box lights on either side of a white backdrop used for photographing items for sale on eBay.

Photography Studio

My photography studio is very basic. I have the choice of using strobes or continuous light, depending what I am photographing. I have several types of backdrops from black, gray, to white. I use a table top platform for taking photos of eBay items and for demonstrative illustrations. The area is large enough that I can take portraits, but usually use a larger space with my portable backdrops or outdoors along with portable strobes.

A small photography studio with soft box lights on either side of a white backdrop used for photographing items for sale on eBay.