Electronics Workbench
http://brianzawesomeblog.blogspot.ca/2014/03/mobile-electronics-workbench.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Portable-Workstation/?ALLSTEPS
I want to build 3 separate pieces. One just for carrying parts. One for tools, soldering in particular. The last is for breadboard prototyping.
Tools and Parts
This box contains the following tools
- wire spools
- multimeter
- Wire cutters
- jewelers screwdrivers (I could get another like my backpack)
- needle nose pliers
- tweezers
It also has all of my parts boxes. I can group the parts by type and write the grouping on the side so that I don't need to see the parts top down all the time.
Advanced Breadboard
I saw this (look for "circuit design trainer") and I'd like to build one. Slightly angled platform with space for 3 standard breadboards. Breadboards have tabs in the side to link them, we'll use that to hold them in place. That also means they can be swapped out, so I'll get ~6 of them. The board will have one global ground bus and 3 Vcc bus, each with it's own power switch, fuse, adjustment and voltage display. The board will have one standard barrel connector. There will be ground and Vcc terminals for each breadboard rail, though they will be shared by adjacent boards.
For peripherals, LEDs, buttons, switches, pots. The peripherals will have 2 terminal groups, between the bread boards. The LEDs will be in two banks - high and low. I'll put a linear regulator in current limiting mode for each of them (probably an LM723).
Terminal layout, everything is 3 wide. I'll put the labels under the center board, and assume I won't need all 3 very often.
- LEDs 6 high, 6 low
- POTs 3 pots, 3 each for 9
- 4 Buttons, 8 terminals
- 8 switches 16 terminals
Total: 45x3
A breadboard is only 60 terminals long, so it would almost make sense to just use a breadboard to wire this up.
I can put a storage spot in the side for jumper wires.
I'd like the structure to fold up, the peripherals on the "wings", leaving enough space inside for parts. But I don't know how thick it would be and I'm not sure how the wiring would work with the hinges.
Prototyping Box
- soldering iron
- fume extractor
- magnifying lamp
- ac outlets
- clamps
- solder spool
- heat shrink tubing
- rotary tool
I found a cheap rotary tool for $10 at harbor freight, thought this one might be better, particularly with the flex shaft. The box should have the means to use the tool as a Mini-Drill Press or as a mini-table saw (with a cutting disc) for cutting and drilling pcbs.
I like the designs where a flap folds down as a work area, then the box opens with two front-facing doors.