What's your test bench experience like?

[Phils Arcade]

Haven't posted a workshop update in a while due to other things getting in the way, but here's a wee pic where my test bench is going to be. I've 5 double sockets on a surge protected ring main and the upper and lower double sockets, on the main ring.



So now looking for ideas on the best way to set up a test bench. This will be for game PCBs as well as chassis and power supplies. Raster and vector games. Interested in the experience of what works and what doesn't. How do you store components, parts, boards, etc...

Also what's the best way to store arcade game PCBs? I've a couple of hundred of the things, working and non-working.

Pics of your test environment are most welcome.

 

[Georgian2]

No matter how big it is, sooner or later will be full and stay full.

Ikea billy book shelf is great and fits most pcbs. You put a lot of shelfs in it or store them vertical.

 

[Phils Arcade]

No matter how big it is, sooner or later will be full and stay full.

Ikea billy book shelf is great and fits most pcbs. You put a lot of shelfs in it or store them vertical.

So many to choose from, lol.
Yeah, do need loads of storage space and easy to get to.

 

[Lurch666]

No matter how you start,it will end up like this.
Function over form. That's my motto.

 

[Georgian2]

So many to choose from, lol.
Yeah, do need loads of storage space and easy to get to.

This is what I mean. https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/billy-bookcase-white-10401931/

You can fill it with more shelfs and store at lest 16-17 games. It gets quite expensive with the amount you have. An diy might be a better solution.

 

[Phils Arcade]

No matter how you start,it will end up like this.
Function over form. That's my motto.

Looks a lot like my setup about 30 years ago, lol.

I've still got my analogue oscilloscope somewhere in a box along with breadboards, components, etc... Have to hunt it out and surprise myself what's there.

 

[Phils Arcade]

This is what I mean. https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/billy-bookcase-white-10401931/

You can fill it with more shelfs and store at lest 16-17 games. It gets quite expensive with the amount you have. An diy might be a better solution.

Looks nice, but could get expensive. I've got a fair amount of plywood offcuts from the building work, I'll probably just end up making my own. Biggest boards are probably the Atari ones, Star Wars, Asteroids, Centipede, etc...

 

[TheDaddy]

Wish I had more room



But does what I need it to realy. Not in there as often as I would like, Again been months since I did a PCB repair !

Dave.

 

[Phils Arcade]

Wish I had more room


But does what I need it to realy. Not in there as often as I would like, Again been months since I did a PCB repair !

Dave.

Never have enough room, lol.

Think we all have the truth tables somewhere, even though we should know them all by now, lol.

 

[Phils Arcade]

A guy in marketplace is selling a number of these style storage units which should be good for storing electronic components. He previously used them for small Lego parts.

Heading up later this morning to take a look.

 

[TheDaddy]

A guy in marketplace is selling a number of these style storage units which should be good for storing electronic components. He previously used them for small Lego parts.

Heading up later this morning to take a look.


View attachment 19488

They have these in Aldi (Special buys) , I have like 4 or so of then ! (Grab a pic when i can) They were super cheap around a tenner i think. I looked everywhere else and they were silly money. It is a must have if you are repairing. I even have stock software running so I know what parts I have an where they are ! lol, Sad i know.

Dave.

 

[Phils Arcade]

They have these in Aldi (Special buys) , I have like 4 or so of then ! (Grab a pic when i can) They were super cheap around a tenner i think. I looked everywhere else and they were silly money. It is a must have if you are repairing. I even have stock software running so I know what parts I have an where they are ! lol, Sad i know.

Dave.

The guy had 7 of these and 2 plastic container drawers so nabbed those as well. The plastic ones should be good for I.C.s in those anti-static foam sheets.



Also looking around for filing cabinets for all these manuals, etc...

Still aways to go, but getting there.

 

[TheDaddy]

Oh thats a good haul !!! They look new !!

Dave.

 

[Phils Arcade]

Oh thats a good haul !!! They look new !!

Dave.

Apparently he bought them during the pandemic when we weren't allowed outdoors, and started a Lego building business creating custom items and photos using Lego blocks.

He organised the smaller Lego pieces into these. Once we were all allowed to go out again he went back to his normal job and these have been left idle.

He had 15 of them, and I grabbed what was left.

Have to see what to fill them with now. See @Retroman839 has a number of ICs that might make a start, lol.

 

[TheDaddy]

Yeh i keep filling mine up , I have a load of dead bords and every now and they I will have a few hours of stripping some chips off them. Start with Ram then move to cpu's.

Dave.

 

[Phils Arcade]

Yeh i keep filling mine up , I have a load of dead bords and every now and they I will have a few hours of stripping some chips off them. Start with Ram then move to cpu's.

Dave.

What do you do with the boards once you have them stripped?
If they're arcade boards, I'd take them off your hands.

 

[TheDaddy]

Bad games like SF2 boots , never strip originals unless completely shot. Cant remember last time i stripped an original to be fair.

The place i used to work at had draws of brand new TTL and they were chucking them out so had plenty from there as well.

I dont even think i have fully stripped any board as yet. Will stick them to one side when i do though. But trust me if they worth fixing i will. I was fixing bootleg Tetris and selling for £25 at one point , was costing me £35 with parts ! Lol

Dave.

 

[Phils Arcade]

I dont even think i have fully stripped any board as yet. Will stick them to one side when i do though. But trust me if they worth fixing i will. I was fixing bootleg Tetris and selling for £25 at one point , was costing me £35 with parts ! Lol

That's a money maker right there, lol