Help with new modelling space

First light and lots of it. Look for bulbs with full spectrum as they make it better for our type of application.

Setup your workbench in the manner to which you plan to use it...standing or sitting. I prefer standing but have a suitable drafting table chair to sit when I need too.

Also have easy access to such things as paper towels for emergencies. I have two dispensers, one over the bench and one over the paint booth.

Ventilation! Lots of ventilation.

JeffW

 

Also, I remember that long ago there was a thread where we posted pics of our model space. I really enjoyed looking at the pics. I tried the search, but could not find anything. Can anyone direct me to it?

Thanks,

-Jeff

 

Here's the link to the start of the thread.  It was titled, "Does Anyone Have Their Dream Work Space?"

/forums/t/82349.aspx

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the input.

Never thought about modelling while standing. I am going to experiment some in the next few days.

Again, thanks for taking time to respond.

-Jeff

If you stand, pickup an anti fatigue mat. They make a huge difference during long sessions.

Entertainment...radio...television...computer (opt)...phone (opt) w/speakerphone! Corded phones are dangerous near a workbench. Cordless ones have a habit of slipping off the shoulder at a critical time.

Cup warmer! Keeps the hot beverages hot while you work away. It also serves as a decal water warmer.

A workbench tour.

Two things are of the utmost importance - adequate work space and lighting.  You can never have enough of either.  I picked up a 6' fiberglass folding table from one of those wholesale clubs for $50.   It's resistant to chemicals and if I cut into it, I don't care - unlike if it were a nice wooden desk.  As for lighting, I prefer one of those draftsmen type swing-arm lamps (with a daylight temperature CFL).  I love that I can position to anywhere I need it to be.  It can be as close to, or as far away from, whatever I'm working on, as I need it to be.  I can change the angle, so I never have to work in shadow.   I also use a spotlight from my photography station, to use as a general fill light.

The right-most 2 feet of my table is my photography station.  I have 2 blue foam-core boards as a background, 2 hi-intensity lights (with daylight temperature bulbs).  Just pop the camera on the tripod and I can shoot away.

In front of me, I have two multi-tier lazy-suzan-type dealies.  One is pre-partioned for smaller paints (1/3 oz Tamiya, Testors and Model Master).  The other is more generic with larger partitions.  In that one, I keep all my 1/2 oz Tamiya paints and all my tools.  For example, one partition is for sanding, another clamps, one for glue, one for cutters and one for miscellaneous (knives, pin vises, pounce wheels, chisels, etc.).   I know exactly where everything is and since, on the generic one, the tiers spin individually of each other, everything is easy to get to.  I also have a hotplate that I use as a decal warming station.

Then, on the wall with the window, is the spraybooth.  I just picked up a dryer vent, so I can spray in the colder weather and stay nice and warm.

I should take a picture, especially now, since I'm just between builds, so everything is nice and neat LOL.

-Fred

 I did a built-in desk, with drawers from an old desk on the right. Used high grade ply, stained and urethaned, and a 1/4 piece of glass as my main work surface. I love the glass, and wouldn't do it any other way now. Cleans up with a few swipes with a razor blade. I built in little shelves in the corners and a paint rack in the middle. I also built into the wall, a cubby hole for a TV, which is hooked up to the tv that faces the main room.

So, in addition to lighting and ventilation, I highly recommend a good size hunk of glass!!!

Gerald,

Thanks so much for the link, it's just the kind of thing I was looking for.

Fred,

Yes! Pictures please! Sometimes seeing how someone else organizes gives inspiration. I've been working so much that I have not had time to get into my shop.

Fermis,

I agree about the glass. Heading to the glass shop is on the list of things to do.

Thanks again guys, for taking the time to reply.

-Jeff

Jeff,

Here is mine. It is a wood workbench kit that I bought years ago and I cut a piece of 5/8" Melamine covered particle board to go on top. I have two plastic containers with drawers for airbrushes, paint, and other things as well as my compressor on the side of the bench. I used a forstner bit and bored holes in the edge of 2 x 4's and painted them white to hold my tools.

It's not perfect but it works well for me and my computer desk is opposite it so I have quick access to both.

 Holy CRAP!!! 12 A/Bs!!!!!!!

Here's my rig

Jeezelouise, Mike!  I thought my 3 A/Bs were overkill, LOL

Hey Jeff, I'll try to get some pictures snapped, this weekend.

-Fred

Yeah, I think you need to buy some more airbrushes!

fermis

 Holy CRAP!!! 12 A/Bs!!!!!!!

 

Actually there are 14 as the Sotar and the Renegade Velocity are in the boxes at the back of the drawer.

Gigatron

Jeezelouise, Mike!  I thought my 3 A/Bs were overkill, LOL

I am going to be on that show, "Hoarders" soon.

double post

Hey Jeff, here's the pics of my studio.

This left side shot shows my two display cases (with an additional two in the cardboard boxes on the wall), the spraybooth, the air compressor, my storage shelf, the workspace and a bit of the photography station.

The right side shot better shows the workspace and the photography station.  You can see the tripos leaning on the right side wall.

-Fred

And tripple post

Here's my bench.

I found a fly-tying work bench in a fishing catalog for just over $100.  It looked better than and old card table covered with newspapers.  Particularly sitting in a corner of the den.

I liked the two wing tables on each side.  One is great for instructions, the other for any number of hot or cold beverages.

It doesn't take up a lot of space, it is workable and my wife doesn't think its an eyesore!

Gigatron

Hey Jeff, here's the pics of my studio.

This left side shot shows my two display cases (with an additional two in the cardboard boxes on the wall), the spraybooth, the air compressor, my storage shelf, the workspace and a bit of the photography station.

 

The right side shot better shows the workspace and the photography station.  You can see the tripos leaning on the right side wall.

-Fred

 

Wow Fred! That is a sweet setup!

On your photography spot though I would like to make a suggestion. Bend one piece of colored construction paper lengthwise for your background and you will not have a visible line between the two sheets as you have now to worry about in your photos.

PS Where did you get the glass cases and are they expensive?

Thanks, Mike .

I tried the construction paper trick, but I couldn't get a hold of a single sheet long enough, so I always ended up with a seam  (or two), somewhere .  Then I tried looking for a large, single piece of paper to make a seamless backdrop, but all the places by me only carry them in neon colors - again , LOL.  So now, if it really bothers me, it's a two minute fix in photoshop.  I just select the area and use the patch tool - couldn't be faster.  But I do appreciate the tip

The cases are Ikea Deltofs.  The website says $60, but my Ikea ups the price by about $10 and then claims some legal loophole.  But, I showed them and purchased 4 when they went on sale for $20.  So now I have 4 in my studio and 2 in the basement for further expansion.

-Fred

Thanks Fred. The only problem with cases like that is that they don't hold many models though.

I found some real nice ones online but I am not paying $500 for a case.

It really depends on the size and type of kits you build, I guess.  With creative arrangement, you can get 3 smaller 1/48 planes to a shelf (like the mustangs and FW-190 sized craft).  You can get 3 or 4 (again depending on the size) tanks to a shelf.  I could probably get 4 1/35 M4A3 tanks on one shelf.

And if you're really crafty, you can actually weld in new shelf support brackets.  I have seen people double the number of shelves in the case.  If I knew how to weld, I'd do it in a heartbeat. 

Right now, I don't have a lot of kits, but thatnks to the last sale, I do have plenty of shelf space.  So I'll probably go one kit per shelf, until I run out space.  Then, as space requirements change, I'll double up.

-Fred

A lot of people were mentioning plenty of work space, but don't forget, plenty of storage space is just as important! You can never have too much storage space for tools, paints and so forth.

Wow, thanks to all who posted pictures. There are a lot of good ideas there.

Spent tonight unpacking kits, thinking I would put them up and get some time in at the bench.

Right.

Three hours and five full shelves later, I am still not finished. Where the heck did all these kits come from?

Another question for the group from my experience tonight: Has anyone come up with a innovative way to store paint so that it is handy but doesn't dominate the work space? I am considering building something, so just fishing for ideas.

Thanks again, everyone!

The multi-tier rotating tray I use, doesn't occupy more than 1 square foot of tabletop space.  Vertical space isn't an issue as once the table space is gone, I don't care how high it goes.

-Fred

JeffW

Hey guys,

Just moved into a new home and managed to build myself a small room to model in. I'm in the process of setting it up and any hints, tricks or ideas that have worked for you would be appreciated. 

Also, I remember that long ago there was a thread where we posted pics of our model space. I really enjoyed looking at the pics. I tried the search, but could not find anything. Can anyone direct me to it?

Thanks,

-Jeff

 

Manstein's revenge

JeffW:

Hey guys,

Just moved into a new home and managed to build myself a small room to model in. I'm in the process of setting it up and any hints, tricks or ideas that have worked for you would be appreciated. 

Also, I remember that long ago there was a thread where we posted pics of our model space. I really enjoyed looking at the pics. I tried the search, but could not find anything. Can anyone direct me to it?

Thanks,

-Jeff

 

 

Hmmmmmmmm...first and most importantly, DON'T let your wife turn it into a shoe closet!!!

...and that rack she used to snap your spine in 2...get rid of it...takes up to much space....