> >...
> > It starts as an empty room, so I have the chance to prepare 
> everything  
> >before even the walls are re-finished.
> 
> A series of "panic button" switches to disconnect power 
> supplies in a hurry can limit the amount of smoke-release 
> when things don't go according to plan.  Perhaps have 
> particular sockets fed by these (colour coded or labelled) so 
> that other items don't get switched off, such as magnifiers / 
> lamps, test equipment, computers.

You can buy magnetic switches.  This idea is you can only turn them on when
power is available.  If you have a blackout, the device doesn't restart when
the power comes back on.  Quite handy for things such as tables saws and
drill presses.  They're a bit pricey, so you might just have one to feed all
of the sharp/hot/spinning things.

Normal panic switches (e-stops, e for emergency) are quite cheap.  Look in
woodworking type shops for these.


> Some jobs that need close visual inspection but don't take 
> long (say drilling PCBs) may be better done standing up, so a 
> higher-level work area would be useful.  Your central vacuum 
> should have a port there, to extract drill waste.  It could 
> also be used to hold down PCBs being drilled, by having holes 
> through the table.  Did you know that MDF is porous, and 
> small pieces can be used as a sacrificial support and will 
> "transmit" the vacuum to hold the PCB while you drill?  Paint 
> or varnish the parts (edges at least) where you don't want 
> the vacuum to act.

And put the compressor outside!  Damn noisy things.  You can use a
compressor as a vacuum pump, just hook it up to the inlet side, most have a
threaded hole for this, with no connector fitted.  Failing that, pull the
compressor out of an old fridge.  Not sure if they have the suction for a
vacuum table.  Good for silicone RTV moulds though.  Auto shops will sell
you vacuum hose, used on carburettors etc.

Rather than buy a big compressor, get two small ones and plumb them
together, or just use the tank off an old one for extra storage.  Good for
spray painting where volume counts more than pressure.  (Old wardrobes make
good spray cabinets.)  And use ABS piping, not PVC if you want cheap shop
air.  PVC fails with sharp bits going everywhere.

Tony

-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist