The Model cave/workshop ideas

RX7850

Being able to design and build a hobby room has  got to be one of the more  self gratifying  aspects of the hobby and hopefully it will be for you as well.  I used kitchen cabinets in my remodel and highly recommend them. They are sturdy , versatile and offer great ergonomics. Look for deals on Craigslist as they can be found for free or next to nothing. One of the best deals going is Ikea, they have a discount area for returns, scratch and dent as well as discontinued stock. Everything that they carry can be found there along with a steep discount. I purchased brand new in the box cabinets for $10. For counter tops  I used matching cabinet side panels that were $5. For lighting I went with LED, What ever type of light you choose to use just be sure to go with a daylight emitting light source with 4000K (minimum)  rating but  no higher than 6500k. Plenty of counter height outlets is a must. If you are looking to save a little money 15 amp outlets  and 14gauge wiring should suffice. If you plan on using some high current draw devices now or in the future then  20 amp. outlets and 12 gauge wiring is the way to go. One thing that I wish I had done was to have one or more of the outlets wired to a wall switch so I could shut power off to specific devices for when I  am away from the bench. Other things to consider:good insulation , not only for heating and cooling purposes but for the quiet solitude . HVAC planning is a good idea. I know I can't stand a room that's less than 65 deg. when trying to  build. Just try to plan ahead ( A place for everything and everything in its place  ) should be your guide.  Have fun with it. Enclosed are some pics of my shop/ slice of solitude.

 

I'm  NOT jealous, I'm not Jealous , I'm not jealous ....sniff,snork....

..   I Am jealous

Being able to design and build a hobby room has  got to be one of the more  self gratifying  aspects of the hobby and hopefully it will be for you as well.  I used kitchen cabinets in my remodel and highly recommend them. They are sturdy , versatile and offer great ergonomics. Look for deals on Craigslist as they can be found for free or next to nothing. One of the best deals going is Ikea, they have a discount area for returns, scratch and dent as well as discontinued stock. Everything that they carry can be found there along with a steep discount. I purchased brand new in the box cabinets for $10. For counter tops  I used matching cabinet side panels that were $5. For lighting I went with LED, What ever type of light you choose to use just be sure to go with a daylight emitting light source with 4000K (minimum)  rating but  no higher than 6500k. Plenty of counter height outlets is a must. If you are looking to save a little money 15 amp outlets  and 14gauge wiring should suffice. If you plan on using some high current draw devices now or in the future then  20 amp. outlets and 12 gauge wiring is the way to go. One thing that I wish I had done was to have one or more of the outlets wired to a wall switch so I could shut power off to specific devices for when I  am away from the bench. Other things to consider:good insulation , not only for heating and cooling purposes but for the quiet solitude . HVAC planning is a good idea. I know I can't stand a room that's less than 65 deg. when trying to  build. Just try to plan ahead ( A place for everything and everything in its place  ) should be your guide.  Have fun with it. Enclosed are some pics of my shop/ slice of solitude.

I've got kitchen style cabinets and countertop in the garage, installed by the home's previous owner. The only issue I have is the lower cabinets-- you can't comfortably roll a chair up to them to use the counter as a workspace due to the cabinet fronts, and the storage space isn't that easy after a certain age to get into (when it seems like everything you're after is in the BACK of the lower cabinet requiring lots of stooping and kneeling). And to use the counter from a seated position, you're either banging your knee on the cabinet front or sitting sideways. Just something to take into account when you're building. Otherwise they're great, especially the hanging cabinets, which are really convenient for storage. If I were going to do it over, I'd install a column of drawers every 4-6', with a counter and the hanging cabinets. But that's me. Your mileage may vary.

Sharkbait

You forgot the Electron Microscope, a box of spare talent & a big tube of Stickability... 

Kitchen components, solid (Flat & Level) workbench, Powerpoints, lighting, spraybooth ventilation, sink/washdown area.

A decent chair, tool & paint rack/draws, space for pc/entertainment, storage space, display cabinets, library space, beer fridge ... 

The ship Corvette. LOL.  Lots of good ideas around and being as the basement is totally unfinished it is a blank canvas so to speak . Just have to avoid "Mission Creap" I can see myself going over the top - were do I put the forge, sandblasting booth, 3D printer, cyclotron,  lathe, and a whole gamut of stuff I neither need nor know how to use. One friend just suggested using new or used kitchen systems - should be easy to find used ones as new kitchen installs seem popular in my area - lots of time to plan and research as I do not get home until late April. A friend told me he has "a guy" who has the skills and knowhow to do the whole thing, fiinish basement, install workstation  at a good price.

sharkbait

One of my dreams is a 1/72 Corvette so I contemplate a large bench area - thinking of a 3 sided u shaped design.

Lots of electric ect perhaps even a seperate sink.

Go nuts!

Thanks.

Ummmm, do you mean a Chevrolet Corvette, or a ship-type corvette? I wouldn't think a 1/72nd scale Chevy would need much space at all. A ship, in the other hand, in 1/72nd scale.... HUGE!!  Good Luck on getting your bench built! Sounds like it's gonna be a doozy!!

How about installing a 4 inch dryer vent hole, leading to the outside for your airbrush booth exhaust? I wish I had done that. Instead, I use a template that I wedge in my opened window.

Thanks guys!

If you go down to the 2nd page of our FSM Ready Room, you'll find an entry about work spaces with almost 100 responses. I'm sure you'll get some ideas there with photos.

Good luck and enjoy it,  Terry

Ditto for the sink...our "new" home has one by the model area, and it is very nice.  I find work areas at different eye levels are very handy, whether accomplished by adjustable seating or bench height.  One thing I lack that I would add if possible - some type of screen mount, either on the wall or a swing arm.  Spend good money on comfortable, supportive seating too!  Enjoy...I envy you!  Post pics when you're done.

I have had a U-shaped work area with 3 workbenches for years, and highly recommend this configuration.  Also, I have a laundry type sink and water at the end of this configuration, and have been highly satisfied with this setup.  I use hanging  fluorescent shop lights (3) over the area and a bench mounted magnifier/light combo on an articulated arm above one the benches.  Fits all my needs!

A sink is a HUGE benefit, cleaning, rinsing, steeping.....

Have you considered using daylight fluorescent tubes (5000>6000K if I remember correctly) for lighting, these are often not that expensive in the common domestic sizes & usually available from stock from most electrical factors / outlets?

The third leg to the desk sounds like a good idea - you could put it on lockable castors so that you can make the "U" shaped desk as narrow or wide as you require, depending on the task in hand.

Sharkbait,  there have been loads and loads of posts on this subject on the Forums.  There was one not too long ago where a member redid his entire basement starting with the wall studding and dropped ceiling to everything else.  I would suggest the "Search the Community" feature for pics that you could check out and take ideas from.  I have done that over the years and have made changes to my "Model Room" over the years as I see something I like and have room for or would save me room for something else.

Blacksmithn gave you what I believe is the #1 thing you need.  It just always seems that there are never enough outlets.  There are strips with 10 to 15 outlets on them that can be mounted almost anywhere on, around, or on the underside of the bench.  The drawer he suggested could have a couple of those dividers like in kitchen drawers.  I have one under mine.  Paint shelves are a must too.  I had mine in a drawer until I saw one of the members set-ups with shelves.  It's a lot easier to look for a bottle on a shelf that having to dig through a drawer full for the one you need.

Hope this helps a bit.  Keep us up to date on your progress.  Were always interested in seeing someone else's work area.  

Jim 

Ditto on plenty of accessible electrical outlets nearby. This is something I lack and I miss them every day. Put them up by the work area, so you're not crawling about on the floor when you need to plug something in. I'd also suggest a large, shallow pull out drawer (like a desk drawer) with slots for things like xactos, spare blades, screwdrivers, files and other assorted implements of destruction. And, of course, plenty of shelving for paints. I made mine out of 1x4 pine, then added a 1x2 strip on top at the back for a dual tier shelf which fits the Vallejo and Privateer Press paints I mainly use (also fits Tamiya and every other model paint I've on hand).