Student teacher needs advice!

Well you certainly have your work cut out there.

I am thinking from your post you are talking about an all encompassing portable modeling station (as opposed to just a paint station)... some type of "omnistation"

The problem that you will immediately be presented with is that there are so many different processes involved in the construction and finishing of a model.

Different techniques, tools and materials will be used on each model on a by-model basis.

Different people use different techniques, therefore what suits one person will not suit another.

Another problem is the range of equipment used by model builders

Many of us have entire rooms dedicated to tools and materials we may need to use to create something smaller than a carton (sometimes a packet) of cigarettes.

Something to think about would be to create something that can be used depending on what stage of the build is being done. Eg...

a build station, (a tool box with a cutting mat)

a filter/ wash station (an absorbent mat with a mixing area and a shelf for materials)

a finishing station (a renewable paper base with a shelf for pastel chalks/ pigments etc.)

I'm not trying to put you off, but could you be a little more specific with exactly what you are trying to create?

Brett

Design and build your station with features you feel you would like to have.  As far as mass appeal goes and possible futures sales, you'll need a marketing course or two for that.

Are you talking a portable station or more of a semi-permanent station (tabletop design vs. table-sized design)?

Tabletop design is kind of limited, but I would look into adding an integrated magnifyer light, a cup for holding brushes/pencils and spaces large enough to hold a few of the larger Tamiya paint bottles (not the little dealies, but Tamiya's common size).  And a space on the side to put things lixe exacto handles, so they don't go rolling off the table and into your thigh or top of your foot.  Have a shallow dish area where you can put paint thinner to clean your brushes.  And include a recessed cutting mat, again so things don't roll away.  Integrated ruler markings along the front edge, in both SAE and metric.  And take a look at The Bug PE bending tool and integrate something similar.  Since it's so small, but unbelievably usefull, it would make a great addition.

If I were building a full size station, forget about it - that thing would be tricked to the nines with electrical and air, shelves and more gadgets than you could imagine .

-Fred

dioramator wrote:

Well you certainly have your work cut out there. I am thinking from your post you are talking about an all encompassing portable modeling station (as opposed to just a paint station)... some type of "omnistation" The problem that you will immediately be presented with is that there are so many different processes involved in the construction and finishing of a model. Different techniques, tools and materials will be used on each model on a by-model basis. Different people use different techniques, therefore what suits one person will not suit another. Another problem is the range of equipment used by model builders Many of us have entire rooms dedicated to tools and materials we may need to use to create something smaller than a carton (sometimes a packet) of cigarettes. Something to think about would be to create something that can be used depending on what stage of the build is being done. Eg... a build station, (a tool box with a cutting mat) a filter/ wash station (an absorbent mat with a mixing area and a shelf for materials) a finishing station (a renewable paper base with a shelf for pastel chalks/ pigments etc.) I'm not trying to put you off, but could you be a little more specific with exactly what you are trying to create? Brett

Another possibility to add to Brett's list: A storage box for tools, glues and the like.

Whatever you build, you should include plenty of storage space; you can never have too much of that!