Recently tidied up my bench to make room for a few new pieces of equipment. I considered wood shelves but decided that I really wanted something I could easily adjust the height if I rearranged equipment.
So, thought of using the adjustable wire shelving stuff that is common as stores. I measured the items I had to determine the width/depth that I needed each level to be and went shopping. Ended up with the following. I've been using it the past week and am very happy with the setup.
All my hand tools (pliers, scissors, screw drivers etc are in a tray that sit on the shelves on the right so within easy reach while sitting (in a comfortable adjustable office chair <- important and don't skimp on $ for this - adjustable height as well to get an optimum height at the bench). Less often used test tools (LCR meter, IR fun etc) are in a tray as well. In the empty location on the top wire shelf I have another plastic tray that has various test jigs, leads, coax leads etc).
The construction of the wire shelves ensures that you'll have at least an inch or so of airflow over the top of each instrument. I did have to put a sheet of cardboard (packing that the shelves came in) since the small feet of the DSA and scope would squeeze between the wires of the shelf. The top level equipment sits well (flat bottoms) so no need for any cardboard there. Lots of air flow.
The shelving uprights have adjustable feet on each corner, so easy to trip up the bottom height and level it since in my case the ESD mat is under the front feet but not the back feet.
I'm learning to enforce my own rule that I put things BACK into the trays ASAP after use so that the work surface remains tidy!
cheers,
george.