Another Spray booth question.....Sorry

If you have the ability/equipment to make one out of sheet metal, and are willing to do some searching, Model Railroader Magazine had an article on building a spray booth. (I believe Northwest Short Lines used it as a basis for one of the spray booths in their line).  I had the article for years (was going to build one until I found a used one at the LHS for a very reasonable price) but lost the mag during a move.  The article was published sometime between March 1988 and the same time period in 1992 - You might drop Kalmbach a line and see if the article is still available.

1) I use water-based acrylics.

2) Therefore, I don't have a need for a fire-safe booth or a fan.

3) Therefore, I can use a pasteboard booth I've carved from huge pasteboard box, covered by wide strips of sticky tape.

4) Light is provided by two lamps.

5) the booth is protected from dust by polyethylene (or cellofane, don't know how it is in English) curtain fixed on the top.

6) I've made my booth from a box in half an hour. It's huge. It's very light. It's durable. If I'll ever need a fan, it can be adjusted. It costs nothing.

7) I'll be damned if I'll spend $200 on a fancy box.

8) If I need to spray something really flammable, like acclad, I do it outside. 

[img]http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/wreklund/100_3001.jpg Hey Driver; Here is what I did. I went to Menards, purchased and ajustable metal shelf, set the selves at the sppropriate levels for my needs, enclosed the top section with particle board & plexiglass, added an exhaust fan and a little vent pipe and I've got me a pretty handy paint boot that provides plenty of storage for my painting accesories as well. (windex, paint, thinners, turntable, etc)

My painting area is 2' x 2' x 4'. I'll even be able to paint my B1 bomber in this baby! The shelf under the "paint booth" is where I store my brush cleaning materials, and the shel under that is set up with a couple of rubbermaid tubs to catch and spills from cleaning my airbrushes or whatever.

I've got maybe a hundred bucks in the whole shot. Like you, I use nothing but acrylics, so fire hazards haven't been a concern. (I haven't blwon myself up yet!)  It's not pretty, but it's effective.

 

Bill

Thanks for all the ideas, they all should help, Bill what kind of fan did you use?

 

Thanks

sf340driver

 

wreklund,

I really like the idea of using a shelving unit!!! Never thought of that. Solves my problem of building a frame and then something to set the booth on. Lots of places to attach fans, lighting, ductwork!!! Mucho storage.

Why did you use particle board for the top, back, bottom and plexi glass for the sides? I'm not complaining just wondering what your thoughts were.

Also, how did you attach the sides, top, and bottom?

I think this idea has lots of potential. Like maybe making the bottom (or top) adjustable to accomodate larger models.

I'm gonna have to seriously think about this one. Lots of ideas spinning around.

 

I used particle board for the top & bottom for a few reasons. First, it was cheap. $5 for a 4x4 sheet. I ripped it in half and wah-la, I had a top & bottom! Second, it was easy to work with. Cutting the hole for ventilation was much easier than cutting glass.

I used "glass" on the sidesto allow for the maximum lighting and visibilty, not to mention that it came pre-cut in 24"x18" sheets. (just what I needed).

A 3" flouresant lamp was installed just behind the overhang at the top of the spray chamber. The 6" strip acts as a shade/blind as well and a handy mounting area for the lamp itself.

The shelf just below the spray area is great for storing/mixing paint, keeping windey for cleaning brushes, doubles as a handy resting area for my airbrush and the shelf below that is a great "catch-all" for any spills that might occur. 

I attached everthing with clips that I found in the electrical section by the "zip-ties" and such. I simply attched them to the panels with scews and rivets and clipped them over the steel shelving. 

The fan is an inline type that set me back about $25 and was a real easy install.(see photos)

You're right about one thing, pretty it ain't, but....  Damn man, that is pure brilliance!!  It's amazing how ideas like this are hiding in plain sight.  Lack of room ON the bench has been one of the bigger deterrents of my building a booth.  I have a shelving unit just like this that we've been debating a real use for.  Now I know.  Thanks.