Workbenches

I make my own benches now to a simple plan I developed.  For the pedestal/drawer units I buy two of those plastic drawer cabinets from office supply stores.  They are frequently on sale (and Walmart now carries them).  They have casters on bottom- that allows me to roll out the bench if I drop something and it goes under one of the cabinets.  I have a six drawer unit on one side, a four (bigger) drawer unit under the other.  Those casters sure were nice during my recent flood.  Bottom drawer stayed below water level so nothing in bench got wet.

For a top, I buy two pieces of 1/2 inch particle board 2 foot by 4 foot.  I trim them to 20 inches, since I find I cannot reach comfortably to the back of a 24 inch desk while sitting.  I also buy some 1 x 2 pine, and lay up a rectangle around the edge of the bottom piece, with a couple of beams in center, then add a couple of beams in middle to stiffen this bench top.  Now, just fastening that top to those cabinet units results in the benchtop being too low, so I make two squares from 1 x 4 stock, and fasten one to each cabinet unit, then put benchtop on top of those.  The extra four inches (actually three and a half) brings top to comfortable height.

I fasten a piece of pegboard to back of benchtop to make a tool rack. I cover the top surface with white contact paper.  Easy to replace after too many paint and glue spills.

Don this sounds cool can you post some pix?

I don't know what they were originally for, but I found 2 of these at the Re-Store (I've since attached the second one on top of the first).  You look handy with wood, and may be able to make something similar.

I built this from the clearance wood section at Home Depot. Made it big enough to grow into

Yes, there are some great layouts here.  I like those styles of paint racks, and I like the peg boards.  Maybe the best approach would be to figure out how much paint rack I need, and add some room to grow.  Then, I can use the unused room for peg-board.    

I'm not a big fan of drawers.  I put something in a draw, then forget I have it, then I buy a new one.  It's a nasty cycle.    

I sort of assign my drawers.  One drawer has measuring tools, one has spare glue and other adhesives, another has wire and threads, etc.  Organizing them means I know what drawer to go to.

I did include a photo with my description. It shows up when I view the message today, so it should be visible.

Yes Don, 

I can see the photo.  It looks like a nicely laid out bench.  I like the peg-board.  I'm going to try to include a peg board area.  

Thank you,

Chris

My workbench is a drafting desk from Ikea. I also have an IKEA small metal drawer cabinet under the desk. The cabinet has all my paints and supplies. Next to my desk I have several plastic drawers cabinets stacked up holding more supplies.

Chris,

Nice job! I am curious: how did you secure the legs of your assembly desk? 

Thanks!

scaler

Chris,

Nice job! I am curious: how did you secure the legs of your assembly desk? 

Thanks!

 

There is a rectangular frame just under the surface board.  The frame is slightly smaller than the surface board, and the legs are are screwed to the frame.  Also, the frame is connected to the surface board with brackets on the underside of the board and inside the frame.  

-Thanks for looking,

Chris 

Weird-Oh, 

Clear out the storage and give her the upstairs!  It'd be great, you'll get the whole outbuilding!

You gentlemen have offered some great inspiration.  

Don Stauffer, I mimiced your bench layout with the pegboard infront of the work area.  

Cdn Colin and Tempest Johnny, I took inspiration from your paint racks to make one of my own.  It's not exactly the same size, but the spacing between shelves is definately important.  I know it has been stated to leave room to grow into, and that is a great way to look at it.  However, I thought it best to make a rack that I can remake and design modify when needed.  This rack fits all of my Tamiya, Polyscale, and mixed paints.  I have a some Vallejo bottles and spray cans that may need something with more space between shelves.  

This is how the new additions fit on the new bench.  

And, this is the whole modeling area.  It's my corner of the house.  Truth be told, all the rarely used modelling stuff is stashed in plastic bins on the shelves under the paint booth.  There are also some weird odds and ends in that little toolbox next to the paint booth. 

Next, I will think about lighting.  Should I get a flexible light on an arm that I can reposition?  Should I get a fixed light directly above the build space, maybe mounted to the top shelf on the new backboard?  Any thoughts on lighting?  

ridleusmc

You gentlemen have offered some great inspiration.  

Don Stauffer, I mimiced your bench layout with the pegboard infront of the work area.  

Cdn Colin and Tempest Johnny, I took inspiration from your paint racks to make one of my own.  It's not exactly the same size, but the spacing between shelves is definately important.  I know it has been stated to leave room to grow into, and that is a great way to look at it.  However, I thought it best to make a rack that I can remake and design modify when needed.  This rack fits all of my Tamiya, Polyscale, and mixed paints.  I have a some Vallejo bottles and spray cans that may need something with more space between shelves.  

This is how the new additions fit on the new bench.  

And, this is the whole modeling area.  It's my corner of the house.  Truth be told, all the rarely used modelling stuff is stashed in plastic bins on the shelves under the paint booth.  There are also some weird odds and ends in that little toolbox next to the paint booth. 

Next, I will think about lighting.  Should I get a flexible light on an arm that I can reposition?  Should I get a fixed light directly above the build space, maybe mounted to the top shelf on the new backboard?  Any thoughts on lighting?  

Thank you for your input,

Chris 

 

 

 

 

 

I may do the swing arm first.  Maybe I can use such a light to add light to both my paint booth area, when needed, as well as the new assembly area, when needed.  Shadows have been an issue with models in the booth.  That may help me get a sense of where I need to apply additional stationary lights later.   

Thank you for sharing your experience with the subject,

Chris

That's a great setup, Chris!

I built mine when I finished off my basement. Knowing what I know now, I'd have done things a little bit differently. Making any changes would involve a fair amount of work, as it is all "build in"...I'm certainly capable, but just too dang lazy...and, it still works for me, so I don't really NEED to make changes.

As it sits, right now...

The drawers on the right were taken from my old desk/bench that I had up in the loft. (the desk top...1.5" slab got repurposed as a butcher block, out in the garage...I "process" my own deer). I use a piece of 1/4" glass as my working surface. You can mix small amounts of paint right on it...stick tape to it, to cut strips, lots of "pro's" to having it. Clean up with a few swipes of a razor blade. I love it!

I used to keep all my paints, other than basic colors(Testors, that you see on the bench rack), by my paint booth, in the utility side of the basement. Nowadays, since I'm using more and more of the MM enamels, I built a rack to have them handy by the bench.

I'm just about ready for a MK2 paint rack.

I like the glass idea.  I checked the LoweDepot website, and it's not expensive.  I also like those display shelves.  

-Chris

ridleusmc

I like the glass idea.  I checked the LoweDepot website, and it's not expensive.  I also like those display shelves.  

-Chris

 

The glass is nice! Mine cost zero dollars, as it was left here from the previous owners.

My display shelves were a new addition, this Spring.

Right, left and the one in the doorway...

The one in the doorway...at the bottom of the steps, goes down to the floor. I don't like having models below waist level, so I filled those shelves with books and mags.

Then there's the main display...built in, when I built the room (stash cabinet underneath)

It even has its own lighting!

fermis

 

 

ridleusmc

I like the glass idea.  I checked the LoweDepot website, and it's not expensive.  I also like those display shelves.  

-Chris

 

 

 

 

The glass is nice! Mine cost zero dollars, as it was left here from the previous owners.

My display shelves were a new addition, this Spring.

Right, left and the one in the doorway...

The one in the doorway...at the bottom of the steps, goes down to the floor. I don't like having models below waist level, so I filled those shelves with books and mags.

Then there's the main display...built in, when I built the room (stash cabinet underneath)

It even has its own lighting!

 

I currently use the dining room table as my work area.  But that has gotten to be a bit of a pain.  I have to stop, clean up, make dinner, clean up after that, then drag everything back out.  It's a bit crowded as well.  I've already upgraded my container for supplies, paints and tools twice. 

I thought of a solution though.  With winter time fast approaching my time to paint outdoors is dwindling.  I had to figure out a way to be able to airbrush in the house, and not bother anyone with fumes. 

After discussing it with hubby, the next few days will be spent setting up a new workspace in my bedroom.  I'm going to make a small spray booth, and have it vent out our bedroom window that we never use.  It's had plastic over it for several years now.  I have an old desk up there with 6 drawers in it, and it's never used either.  I just have to figure out a lighting solution.  So tomorrow will be spent gathering supplies to make my new area.  I'll be sure to post pics.

Fermis, that is an AWESOME model room.  Wow!  I want one too.    

Keyda, you'll love having your own dedicated building area.  Kudos for having the patience to use the dining room table for your builds.  I know it can't be easy.  

-Chris

There are some nice Setups on Display here. I set mine up near the Kitchen and Dining area/Lounge. This way I can still talk to my Wife when I am Modelling and she is watching TV.....Cheers Mark

I took over the closet in one of our spare bedrooms. 

The bench itself is formed from two cabinet sections purchased at the ReStore with a table top of 3/4" (IIRC) plywood. The shelves are from Lowes as are the cabinets on the right, that came from the clearance section at Lowe's.

The paint rack is a HEAVY steel unit that I picked up at a yerd sale, probably 25 yers ago. It holds most of my Modelmaster and other bottled paints.

The Humbrol/Revell/Xtracolour tins sit on the small drawers on top:

Mickey points the way to the "ready rack" for the paints currently being used.

Cheap lighting reflectors from Wally world hold CFLs give plenty of light. I use grow lights as they seem to be closer to natural light and are easy on the eyes (IMO):

There have been numerous changes over the years as I've modified the space from time to time to try to better accomodate my needs. I've put most of my resin bits in those plastic drawer unsits on the shelf above the bench.

And to help keep peace in the house when I'm not using said (usually cluttered) space, I can close the doors:

Chris, great job on work new work area! You made it very functional.

Gentleman. I'll soon be creating my new work area, and will use many of these great ideas in the planning.

This is my messy work area

My paint booth is actually an old chemical booth I snapped up from the lab where I worked.  Works great, can get the large 1/48 scale planes in it no probelem.

Here's my workbench. It was taken a little over a year ago after we moved so there a few more builds on the wall and the top is far more cluttered. I built it from a 4x8x1/2 sheet of ply cut to 3x7 with a hickory stair hand rail running down under the center for support. The top is some white laminate glued on for smoothness.

I'm really liking the set-ups here.  Our hobby breeds creativity, and that is evident in the workbenches.  

Surfsup, I like your L-shaped layout.  It looks like that set up gives you plenty of room to work and store.  

DDonSS3, You had to be creative to fit your space in the closet, but it looks very nice.  Mickey Mouse readying your paints looks like fun.  

Wolfhammer1, That paint booth is brilliant.  I've never had such a score at work.  

Modelcrazy, Those glass shelves look outstanding.  The white laminate worktop must make it easy to find parts.  Is it easy on the eyes?  

-Chris

Ok, so I finally got time today to start moving stuff to my new work area.  It's not much at the moment.  I picked up a few things for the paint booth, and I'll get to setting that up soon.  I'd like to at some point make a rack to put the paints on, and hang it from the wall.  I think it would look better than them all being crammed in a drawer.  But for now this will work better than my set up at the dining room table. 

Good looking new set-up there!  Congratulations on your new workspace.