Ben Heck's Popular Portable Work Bench Gets a Facelift in the Latest Episode of element14's 'The Ben Heck Show'

CHICAGO, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- element14, a collaborative social community and electronics store for design engineers and electronics enthusiasts, and modding guru Benjamin J. Heckendorn, a.k.a. Ben Heck, debut a redesign of Ben's portable work bench that offers the ultimate modding-on-the-road convenience in the newest episode of "The Ben Heck Show" airing today.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110307/CG57359)

In his quest to build the perfect portable work bench, Ben's redesign focuses on hinge positioning, a new bracket system and streamlined tool placement to build a suitcase-sized box that unfolds into a neat and tidy workspace. Ben walks viewers through the assembly process once all of the parts are routed, including quick hinge installations, some countersink drilling, and attaching the arm chambers, and then portable work bench "Mark 2" is ready to go.

"It was invigorating to design an all-new version of my portable work bench," said Ben. "It's those little extras that make all the difference – from hidden compartments, to custom tool slots and a built-in PC power supply. This new design ensures I'm ready to make the world a better place, one tool at a time, wherever I am."

The pinball machine wars continue as Ben and team finalize the flippers and micro switches and go over geometry basics for the Rapid Pinball Prototyping System (RPPS).  In addition, viewers interested in building their own portable work bench can visit element14 to download detailed plans or register for a chance to win Ben's original work bench.  

"In this episode you get a closer glimpse into Ben's psyche as he approaches his original custom design and makes it even better," said Alisha Mowbray, senior vice president of marketing, element14. "The result is a pretty tricked-out portable workbench that should satisfy even the most discerning modder."

About "The Ben Heck Show"

"The Ben Heck Show" is a bi-weekly online television series dedicated to the science, art and mindset of system and hardware modders with a global audience of design engineers, students and electronic enthusiasts (e.g., tech geeks). Each episode spotlights Ben's mods of popular electronic devices while educating viewers on the underlying technology powering each of Ben's featured projects, and offering his unique insight regarding hardware modification techniques, tools and design tips.  Sponsored exclusively by element14 and produced by leading Internet TV network Revision3, the show continues to gain support from loyal fans with over 1 million views since its debut in September.

About element14

element14 is the first collaborative community, research portal and store for design engineers and electronics enthusiasts. The website provides product data, design tools, technology information and top brand components to seamlessly facilitate the design process; users can consult industry experts and collaborate with peers around the globe. element14 is sponsored by Premier Farnell plc (LSE: pfl), a leader in multi-channel distribution and specialty services for electronic design engineers, trading throughout the Americas (Newark), Europe (Farnell) and Asia-Pacific (element14). The company has group sales of 795.3m pounds Sterling and over 4,100 employees globally.

SOURCE element14