Hobby Work Bench Storage Suggestions

Looking good. Hang in there!

Well - here is how the work area is shaping up so far. Thanks for all the suggestions. Going to try and load my first image here. 7' table on left 4' table on right - 12" deep x 6' long shelf against wall. Shelving will tightnen up as needed.

My father invented a nifty hobby bench that I've ALWAYS wanted to try, and I had the chance to do so when they went to northern California and I offered to house-sit for them. When not in use, it folds up against the wall, then slides behind the bookcase. To set it up, you slide it out, fold it down, then insert a Y-shaped leg into a corresponding slot in the wall. This reveals storage space where Father keeps his modeling tools and supplies (he builds wooden ship models). On top is an adjustable light. By inserting the bottom end of the leg into different slots in the wall, Father can have a hobby bench, drafting table, or music stand for when he tries to sing and "play" the guitar. Too bad I don't have a digital camera nor the knowledge of how to post pictures even if I did have one; I would certainly show it to everybody. I've used it twice now (I brought my current project to Arizona with me) and I love it! My only gripe is that some of the space behind the bookcase is difficult to reach; he has longer arms than I do. I brought my own tools; they're kept in a fishing tackle box that sits on my mother's computer table right next to me--they're handy yet out of the way! Even the bookshelves are storing a few of my modeling things. I can leave things set up here without having to worry about keeping it out of the cat's reach.

It's a far cry from my arrangement at home: I simply throw an old soil-amendment ad on my makeshift coffee table and call it my workbench. Because my workbench also doubles as an eating table and a typewriter table, I have to put everything away in drawers or under boxes when I'm not modeling, both to make room and to keep it away from the cat.

I always thought a spice rack would work well for paint bottle storage - just could never find the one I wanted.

Like demon69, I use what ever is available for storage and water - an old hotwheels case for extras, envrlopes, candy dishes, plastic cheese containers, paint mixers
and so on - even diaper wipe boxes for larger extras.

I'm a big fan of using whatever is available, whether it be for storage, building, etc. I like the sauce cup idea. Why didn't I think of that? I also use an ashtray from Waffle House as my water tray. Stainless steel cleans so easily, and it won't dent or deform.

demono69

I use the plastic storage drawer systems. I keep decals and odds and ends in them I have one drawer system just for the plastic stock. For the small parts I use two of the multi bin cases used to store beads form a craft store. And I use a couple of the nuts and bolts storage bins that I got from Was-Mart for storing pe p[aarts etc. I also use the small plastic cups like you would get with tartar sause etc for keeping the small parts of the trees of the current model that I may be building.

A lazy susan is great for tools and the little tryas around the circumfrance are handy for keeping knick knacks , blades etc. in order. The more stuff you stack under the work surfaces the less leg room you will have so you will lose some of your flexibility to move around your work area (especialy if you have a chair with casters.) The advantage of having so much work space is the ability to comfortably move aorund it and work at any spot on your tables.
For paints, check retail stores that are changing their tiered display racks. They may have an extra that would undoubtedly take up their valuble storage space they would be willing to part with. These will do the same for you that they did for the store. Display your paint where you can see it. Otherwise check some of the craft or decorative paint magazines. They offer a variety of paint storage solutions and some are on revolving racks that can give alot of storage in minimal space.
A small st of those plastic roll aorund shelves like Murray presented work great as well as those pigeon hole storage cabinets are ideal.

Mike

I have one of those parts storage bins that you find at most hardware or department stores. I find that this works really well for grouping parts together. My collection of spare parts is pretty small, so my 'bin' is small too. I can see getting a bigger one in the future.


I've also had my eye on the plastic drawer bins like shown below. I think this would be good for storing decals, instructions, and other stuff that can't really go into a smaller drawer.


As for 'on-the-bench' storage, I have very little. But I do need to find something better. I'm thinking of building a sort of 'stair-case' of shelves at the back of the bench where I could put paints and other stuff while not directly in use. I like to have things 'neat' while I'm working, but I've found that the trick to this is to make it easy to put the item away when you're done working with it. In my case, most of my tools, etc go in drawers, and it gets to be a pain digging through the drawer each time I want to use it. So, it ends up sitting in the middle of the bench along with the other items that should be put away.

I did find one thing that I like. I have a strip of strong magnet about 6" long that sits on my bench. All of my 'metal' tools sit on the magnet when not in use. It actually works quite well and keeps everything easily accessible, yet not cluttered around the bench.

Murray

Your local Wal-Mart or comperable store should sell shelving units for very cheap. I use 3 of them to store paints, kits, reference, or whatever strikes my fancy. You also might want to consider a hardware bin for bits or extra parts that aren't often used, but difficult to store. They can usually be found for under $10, and are a great place for just about anything.

demono69

With my work bench I decided to go vertical for storage. Both up and down. If your' workbench is against a wall you can try building some shelves on the wall above the bench. My workbench is a large piece of plywood supported by a desk and a small bookcase which is the same height. So I've got plenty of shelves and drawers for storage. If you try this just make sure everything is properly secured.

DJ

You might try some under-the-table storage shelving or drawers. BTW, do you wnat a fixed or portable bench?