Since I am slowly getting back into the hobby

Why build or buy? Frequently there are free tables on Craig's list.

  also, one can get tables cheap at garage sales, walmart, etc.  As for the size of the table, I guess that depends on your preferences.  Personally, I like a lot of table space to spread out, but that is me...

Advice would be easier if we had your floor plan, to know what eactly your limitations were.

My first thought was for you to get some sort of desk that closes up into a cabinet so that when not making a model it conceals itself. These are often made as computer desks.

You could also go with a corner mounted platform that would be out of the way provided you had a corner to mount it in. Advantage of the corner mount is it is attached to wall or at the least, has only supports along the wall so it uses zero floor space.

A table meant to essentially slide over the arms of a lazyboy chair means your lazy boy becomes the work area and when not in use, you can make it fold up if you make the sides hinged as well as the top so everything just folds flat. Presto it is gone if not in use. You would only need a sheet of plywood to make this thing.

Well I am presently faced with modeling in a small space, and just getting back into the hobby after 20+ years away like yourself. But faced with the challenge of trying to model in a cramped space, and accommodate all the "stuff" that we as modelers seem to horde, I came up with this ....

This is with the door closed and a shot of a 24" x 48" folding table I use as well

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By cowinacape at 2011-07-03:550:0]

Here is the same unit opened and lit up for working in

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By cowinacape at 2011-07-03:550:0]

Only down side is, if you want to close it up, you have to clear off the drop down work surface.

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By cowinacape at 2011-07-03:550:0]

Here is a shot of the front of the unit one more time, it measures 19 deep, 35 wide, and 62 tall. it is a home made unit, but you can see my inspiration was basically computer armoirs (spelling) biggest change was to the top of the unit, leaving it open to accommodate the clip on lighting. The shelves to the left are not part of the modeling gear, that is for work. I never thought to take a picture of it, but also the two bottom doors also hide more storage space for the unit as well. I stuck a couple of those plastic drawer units in the bottom half  for smaller items, and and such.

But in a small space try and think vertical as much as you do horizontal. And as others have said, keep an eye towards folding furniture, or roll away type stuff (ie: a kitchen microwave cart on wheels that could be rolled into a closet to clear the floor when need be)

If you are considering a regular table vs a card table, you do not then need one that folds up, I take it.  Then consider a small desk- that is what I did for two years when I was in an apartment.  Got the desk at a garage sale down street from apartment.  Surface was smaller than card table.

Such small working surfaces force you to stay in smaller scales, especially for multi-engined planes.  But then, every modeler has some constraints.

Advantage of desk is that it provides some storage space for tools, paint, glue, and kit stuff.

Don Stauffer

Such small working surfaces force you to stay in smaller scales, especially for multi-engined planes.  But then, every modeler has some constraints.

Pish posh, I have a pretty good sized model bench, however the bulk of it ends up occupied by suplies and or subasseblies as I go. I really only use a small area to work on. And currently, I have 4 48th scale B-17's in progress. I use any surface possible that I can, most of it stays in the box on the by me while working. I used to work off my dining room table having to pack it up out of the way for dinner time. Small work ares should not force you to build certain scales, make it work for yourself.

Basically, it is what you make of it, dont get too complicated with it. Especially considering you have a studio apartment. You dont need a complicated, layed out work area to work from. Keep it simple.

Ditto B-17 Guy...  KISS Rule applies.. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

Now I don,t have a lot of room I'm in a studio apartment for now so would it be cheaper to build a table or maybe buy a card table?. If build how big would I need to make it to comfortably put together maybe a 1/48 b29 or 1/72 b36

A card table-sized workbench is more than enough for either of thse kits... As for cost, I'd build rather than buy a card-table, simply because anything you build (if you ANY kind of carpentry skills) is going to be much more stable... 36" x 36" x 3/4"  plywood table-top, and 2 x 2 legs & braces will do nicely... Cost would be around 25.00 in materials..

A card table itself though, I'd pass.. They're just too rickety...  If you need to add additional space for paint and tools while you're building, just set up a TV tray nearby...