Room for Activities

I used to have my microscopes on my dining room table, but when I moved in with my girlfriend I realized I needed a proper space for science. I started by doing searches online for “microscope desks” and “laboratory workspace” and came across a couple of websites that included interactive 3D design tools for making your own custom laboratory bench. The bad news was the workbenches were well beyond my budget. The good news was that I felt confident that I could build one myself.

I wanted something heavy, adaptable, and comfortable. I decided to build it out of a type of steel channel that’s often used in construction and commonly referred to as “strut”. The strut I used was twelve gauge galvanized steel, and while it wasn’t the easiest stuff to work with, I have zero regrets using it. Here’s the initial design I came up with:

I placed my microscopes and other equipment on a big table to figure out how much space I wanted and decided on a 30” by 60” work area . I also wanted shelving for storage and the ability to mount a computer monitor. After making a detailed parts list I purchased my materials and tools, and did some research on how to make clean, square cuts through twelve gauge steel.

Once I had everything laid out, I started making my cuts. I used a portable bandsaw, and after I made a few test cuts I got the hang of it. Cutting the steel was both surprisingly easy and not-surprisingly messy. After I had my pieces cut, I used a metal file and galvanizing spray-paint on the cut ends. Then I painted all of it matte black.

Final assembly didn’t take too long. I laid out the ‘top’ on a concrete floor to ensure a level work surface and used a framing square to check the inside angles before fastening everything together with 3/8” bolts and brackets. Next were the legs and braces. Shout-out to my socket wrench. Without you, none of this would have been possible.

For the top itself, I wanted something respectable for an amateur scientist and went with a phenolic resin top. Phenolic resin is both chemical and heat resistant, and it looks fantastic. I found a company in Brooklyn, New York called JHC Fabrication that makes custom tops for laboratory furniture. They were great to work with, and within a couple of weeks of ordering I had my 30” x 60” top along with matching 12” x 60” shelves.

It was immensely satisfying to see my design come to fruition, and I couldn’t wait to put my microscopes on it.

I finished this project in the fall of 2023, and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change anything about the design. It’s plenty sturdy enough to be suitable for micro-photography with long exposure times, it has just the right amount of space, and it can easily be adjusted or customized further if needed.