Toolboxes

Dre

Toolbox???   Wait.., this is a portable hobby?Huh?

Dre

Guys, it was a (poor) joke....   sorry.

Heh, I got your meaning, too, Dre.

I never served, so I didn't have to be mobile to deal with getting posted, but I do take my toolbox with me to shows sometimes.  If I have something I'm displaying, it's handy to have my tools around for repairs.  And if it's a show that I help stage, I'll sit at the admissions table and paint something.  It's a real conversation starter.

"My "toolbox" is a 10' x 12' spare bedroom. The tools are on shelves, in drawers, and laying on the floor of the room. I also have my spraybooth and some shelves with tools in another spare bedroom. It's great when the kids left. I moved everything upstairs from the dark, cold in the winter and hot in the summer, damp basement to their comfortable bedrooms. They couldn't move back. We still have one spare bedroom left that we use for the grandkids when they have sleepovers."

I second that...but I still don't get around to it...

Enlightening thread.

My hat goes off to everyone working with limited space and storage. And to the creativity involved in making due.

A couple years after my domestic reorganization (divorce), finally found myself in a little house with a huge unfinished basement. So in my case, I have been blessed with (almost) unlimited space.

Somebody mentioned earlier in this thread running out of horizontal space. It has been my lifetime experience with workspaces (not just modeling workspaces), that no amount of benchtop is ever enough. For me, is a constant cycle of making messes, running out of room, cleaning up, the cycle goes on. :)

HI;

   I know this is a late answer , but , I gotta do it anyway . I have NOT seen these boxes anymore in the stores I frequent .I guess I'll have to go to the " BASS-PRO " shop up north ,on the way to AUSTIN . The biggest box is about twenty two inches long and eighteen high .

    My gosh ! it has so many compartments .the drawers were provided with moveable dividers , so it;s kind of like a custom set-up . These are made by " PLANO " and were quite common for a while .They seem to make a smaller one now

   I can't seem to find the ones I have in the same large size . What I like about a fish tackle box is it's flexibility .The top tray (for large artificial baits and lures ) is perfect for tweezers and paint brushes and burnishing tools  . This and the see through top helps find stuff quick .Now when you open the front , there are drawers coming out your ears .The box will hold over one hundred bottles of MM or testors paints . The end compartment will hold spray cans very well (six ) and under the top is another compartment you can put lacquer thinner , mineral spirits and cleaning and polishing supplies .Yes , it's heavy fully loaded . 

     I still use the traveling tool box on my bench with those neat little drawer units Next to it . This was a blessing in disguise for me .When I re-married to my now late second wife we traveled a lot in R.V.s  . I bought a folding table from CAMPING WORLD that was intended to be a BB- Q Prep table .The thing has a stand on one end intended to hold your tabletop grill .I used it to set my box on and used the tabletop to build .Only two items to set up shop on the shaded patio next to my R.V. ! I  Still do it today on occassion .  

     I hope this helps anyone to get what they need ,  organised for working on those beautiful models you build .         Tanker-Builder

tankerbuilder

...One large bass box...

I've thought about getting a large tacklebox, too, for greater storage capacity.  I'd like to get all of the paints into the box, along with the tools.

HEY ! That applies to boats and ships too .

    My box is actually two boxes .One large bass box ,  Many , many compartments and the other for running models is a twin  .Difference , one is blue ,  one is green .The BLUE one is R.C. Stuff . I did this because I needed space to carry paints (the twenty most used flats and glosses .Plus space for clear flat and gloss sprays . Tools you'd expect to find and clamps (lots of them ) the sandpapers and other stuff go in the large bottom compartment .

    This way I was able to have my tools and paint when I worked with recovering veterans in MARTINEZ , CALIFORNIA at the V.A, in a recreational therapy class . This worked very well in leading them to the hobby and seeing them complete projects . Many did wood projects so that's why I used exclusively " MODEL MASTER acryllics (although I hate the stuff ).

    Now , my box for R.C , oh ,  and yes , I picked up a third for enamels and stuff like that . This one has a compartment dedicated to thinners and fillers .On the back I attached a paper towel holder (did this to all three actually ) and I use re-cycled paper towels for cleanups . The R.C. box bottom compartment holds three twelve volt batteries (the medium sized motorcycle gel cell ) with the charger . So when I go I am ready for a full day of running . This does , where the workbench is concerned , keep things more organised .

    Although I don't have pictures  ,I share a worktable with my landlady . She does her stained glass and I work on clients models and my own on my side . This table is Four foot by Sixteen feet in size .(she does some large pieces . ) So we both have plenty of room . That and a good sound system (gotta have my tunes while working ) and it all fits in the garage !     Tanker-builder

Heh, heh!  Thanks!  When I need more horizontal space, I use the top of the washing machine.

I took those photos back in 2008, I think, or 2009, January, I got the camera for Christmas.  And some of those toy soldiers are in same places today.

I also use a system to organize works in progress, using cardboard soda and juice can pallets, and styrofoam trays from the grocery store.  I can stack the pallets, and I can keep everything for a build in one spot.

Holeee Sheeyyyyyyyyy.......! Where do you build them at??? Nice tool selection, Joe

Since the discussion is turning to workspaces, I'll include these shots.  Apologies for repeating--some of you have already seen these in another thread:

This is my bench, installed in my basement.  While I was saving up to buy a house,  I lived in a mobile home, and the bench was built to fit in an 8'x8' bedroom, really more of a closet.

My toolbox serves as storage here at the bench, but contains enough supplies for me to take things on the road, to our club meeting, say, or sometimes to a show.

Digital_Cowboy

Baron,

     That sounds like one well stocked toolbox.  I didn't know that X-Acto made three sizes of saw blades.  I've got the fine and medium what's your third blade?

     Right now I mainly have Testors followed by Model Master, Tamiya is down the road.  Also my paints are stored in an old (and formally empty) shipping box that I received some mixed nuts in.  And it's already getting "crowded" in there.  So I'm going to be looking at another option shortly.

Thanks, Cowboy!  It's more a collection of things I've accumulated over the years

I'll have to check on the razor saws--2 of them may have the same count of teeth per inch, but I know that one of them has a shallower profile than the others.  When I bought X-Acto's miter box, I found that it wouldn't fit, the blade's spine won't let the blade reach the bottom of the box.  The oldest of the trio, I bought when I was 14 or 15, back in the Seventies, and I had read about a "razor saw" in Shep Paine's "Tips on Building Dioramas".

I realize now, too, I forgot to include a pair of wire cutters and needle-nose pliers, in 3 sizes.

As one poster mentioned, I don't have a dedicated place to do my models. Often times when the weather is nice outdoors, I'll do it outside. That way the missus don't complain about the smells of glue, paint, and thinner making her sick.. Not to mention the bright sunlight makes the best light I can ask for.  At night I'll do it in the den on the floor after the missus goes to bed. LOL!

mustang1989

Roger that! I'm the same dang way brother!!. Its a curse and a blessing in the same sentence!!

Joe,

     That it is, that it is.  Which is part of the reason I use a bicycle for transportation.  I find that it does help with the ADHD.  As it helps to "burn off" the "excess" energy.

     Sadly, it also doesn't help that schools instead of developing curriculum's that actually challenge all the children.  That they instead label, those kids who are bored because they've done the work as ADD/ADHD.  Those making it seem as if it's not a real condition.  As sadly, it's easier to medicate the kids then to teach 'em, or to teach them correctly.

Mustang, I worked for them from '76 to '79. I got laid off from my job after 18 years and a buddy of mine who worked for them said that there was an opening. I went to see them the day after I got laid off and got the job on the spot. I got a callback at the place where I got laid off so I went back with them and worked another 18 years there until I retired in '97. I sold a lot of toolboxes, and quite a few Tune up Centers. I thought they would always have red boxes. When did they change to lime green?

Jim 

Roger that! I'm the same dang way brother!!. Its a curse and a blessing in the same sentence!!

mustang1989

Sorry about the cardiac arrest! I moved a bigger desk into the "office' around January and its working fairly well so far. I have a hide a bed couch behind where you see in the second picture am am working on replacing it with a futon.

 As far as having the room for the setup, start small and stay organized! You can have the SMALLEST of work stations and if you are organized it can equal into bigger workspaces than those who have a "larger space " to work. That blue tool box on the desk shown is my best friend for organization.

Joe,

     That's okay, a little shock to the system is good every now and then.

     I'm one of those who have been "blessed" with ADHD.  So being organized is a challenge for me.  And the irony is that not having a permanent space to work on models might not be a bad thing for me.  As it "forces" me to be organized.  It also "forces" me to only work on one kit at a time?

Man you have that right Fox. Sometimes I have to take a class or look at Service Information on my "barstool" and youre correct....no knee room. I get around it. Always wanted a lime green taco wagon and finally got it. Couldn't be happier with my box!!How long did you work for Snap On?

That is one really great toolbox Mustang. I know because "A long, long, time ago in a galaxy far, far away", I used to sell those little beauties. Put the side boxes on it and it's the greatest toolbox that would hold every tool, paint, and glues you would ever need. Only problem is that you would need a bar stool to sit in front of it and there is no place to put your knees.

Jim 

Sorry about the cardiac arrest! I moved a bigger desk into the "office' around January and its working fairly well so far. I have a hide a bed couch behind where you see in the second picture am am working on replacing it with a futon.

 As far as having the room for the setup, start small and stay organized! You can have the SMALLEST of work stations and if you are organized it can equal into bigger workspaces than those who have a "larger space " to work. That blue tool box on the desk shown is my best friend for organization.

mustang1989

This doesn't count does it??

No....thats the box at the dealer....this is the latest that I have to offer right now....I have upgraded from this but will show later and will include details of the tools, Joe

Joe,

     Way to go in giving us a heartattack.  That is impressive though.

     Hell, I'd love to just enough room to setup your little setup.  It would be both nice and make my life easier.

This doesn't count does it??

No....thats the box at the dealer....this is the latest that I have to offer right now....I have upgraded from this but will show later and will include details of the tools, Joe

Dre

That's a tough deal.   I can see the need for a good tool box a little better now.

Dre,

     Tell me about it.  "Sadly," I'm sure that I'm not the only one here or with any hobby that has to go through that.  We do what we have to.

I have my hobby room where I have about 4 decades worth of accumulated model building and model RR tools. That's a big "toolbox" with too much to list. But I also have a portable modeling toolbox that I can take with me. Some years ago, our local IPMS club stsrted having regular social model building get togethers. After a few months of grabbing a few tools and throwing them in an empty model box to take with me, I decided to get dedicated toolbox.  I found a nice craft/art box at Jo Ann's and with a 50% off coupon from the wife,, got it for reasonable price. It has a large upper section that can hold a couple kit boxes. It is modular and came with two drawer section s that were removable. I have since added a third section.  The drawers are segmented to hold various items. I guickly figured out that it was a PITA to keep grabbing tools from my desk everytime I took it along. So I have it fully stocked to the point I can do everything to build a model except use my airbrush. Including a small battery powered rotary tool, paints, and even a couple band aids for days when I do something klutzy. It is handy to take to contests and shows as an emergency repair kit for things that get broken in transit.

That's a tough deal.   I can see the need for a good tool box a little better now.

Dre

Heh..  I finally have my own place and the joy of being able to just leave stuff out is indescribable.

My family spent plenty of time back in the 70's packing stuff up and moving every two years (including the model stuff), so I do know the experience.  

Dre,

     I can only imagine, as I said, I'd love to have that ability.  But I live in a one bedroom apartment.  So I have to use my kitchen table as my workbench.  Which means that I have to clear it first, then setup my model building gear.  As well as moving my bird into his spare cage in my bedroom, as well as moving my T's into their respective critter keepers, and move them into my bedroom as well, and then close the bedroom door.  I also "banish" my kitty to the bathroom.

     Sadly, it's a lot of work to not only setup but to breakdown so that I can work on my models.  But it's worth it, and everyone is protected, at least I hope so.

Rob Gronovius

Same here, I didn't have the luxury of spending a lot of time in one place. As a matter of fact, just back in February I passed the 5 year mark. This is the longest I've lived in one spot since I left high school for college in the fall of 1982.

It's also the reason why I build a lot of 1/72 scale armor; they are very portable and handle traveling well without much damage.

Rob,

     If you're still using the toolbox from your article, I can see how just about most models would fit in it.  Smeg, you could hide a small arsenal in that thing.

Heh..  I finally have my own place and the joy of being able to just leave stuff out is indescribable.

My family spent plenty of time back in the 70's packing stuff up and moving every two years (including the model stuff), so I do know the experience.  

Same here, I didn't have the luxury of spending a lot of time in one place. As a matter of fact, just back in February I passed the 5 year mark. This is the longest I've lived in one spot since I left high school for college in the fall of 1982.

It's also the reason why I build a lot of 1/72 scale armor; they are very portable and handle traveling well without much damage.

Dre

Guys, it was a (poor) joke....   sorry.

Dre,

     No offense was taken, at least by me.  Likewise no offense was meant, at least by me when I pointed out the reasons why some of us might have a toolbox.  I'd love to have the room to have a dedicated model/workroom, and be able to leave my tools/supplies out on the bench 24/7.

Guys, it was a (poor) joke....   sorry.