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Mobile workstation?

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  • Member since
    November 2014
Mobile workstation?
Posted by The_Jeep_Guy on Thursday, December 4, 2014 2:11 PM
I really don't have a designated work area for my stuff inside the house and the garage is too cold to be working on models this time of year so I have been brainstorming about maybe building a mobile workstation. I want something that will hold my parts, some paints, brushes and maybes a lamp, something I can put on the dining room table while I work and then put in the closet when I'm done. Has anyone built something like this, if so can you give me some pictures or advice, it would be greatly appreciated.
  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Friday, December 5, 2014 8:29 AM

Well, I used an old folding table that belonged to my grandfather. I use a tool box to store my modelling tools, glue, etc... and a couple of storage bins for my paints. I move them all to the cellar for the winter months and work there.

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Friday, December 5, 2014 2:48 PM

How about a rolling service cart with a couple two or 3 drawers.  Make a ply top, hinged and you have more covered storage. Bottom is open bin for bigger stuff or in progress kits. Won't fold up to go in the closet, but won't risk damaging the wifemates table either.

Look at Harbor Freight or Sears for some.  Usually around a hundred bucks this time of year, or less.

  • Member since
    February 2014
  • From: N. MS
Posted by CN Spots on Friday, December 5, 2014 2:54 PM

I use our dining table at the moment too, much to the Admiral's disdain.  I bought a 3 drawer tool box from Lowe's and set it on a 18x24 cutting mat on top of the table.  the mat protects the table from the box and enough of it protrudes to give me enough room for most tasks.  I keep the model I'm working on either in the kit box or a cardboard box that I can stash when needed.  Unfortunately, I have no room for a paint booth so I have to do that outside.  

I was looking for a pic of a rolling airbrush/make up station that would work well for you and I came across a blog plugging some insane storage boxes...

www.modelmaq.es/index.php

I can't speak Spanish so I have no idea what it says about them but my eyes can see in any language and they like the heck out of these.

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Maryland
Posted by usmc1371 on Saturday, December 6, 2014 7:24 AM

Here's one I found online.  Looks cool:

www.militarymodelling.com/.../3646

-Jesse

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, December 6, 2014 10:03 AM

I know several people who used bulletin boards- cork surfaces over some particle board or something, with a wood molding around it.  The molding keeps stuff from falling off when you pick it up and move it to put it away.

In my early apartment living days I bought a piece of plywood about 2 x 3 feet and put picture frame molding around it for same purpose. I have no idea why folks wanted a cork surface unless they wanted to build balsa flying models.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    December 2012
Posted by RX7850 on Saturday, December 6, 2014 4:27 PM

Unless you have very few items you need to organize then you could easily go with something easily transportable . Something like this perhaps $79 at Costco

But if you don't  I would think the idea of having a mobile  work station  might turn out to be something big , bulky and heavy .  Could you maybe offer up a pic of what items you want  it to hold . Maybe even state if you have a budget in mind or are a  handy DIYer  This way  the members here can offer ideas best suited to your storage needs. At the moment I'm thinking, that is if you have room in your closet,  a little built in work station or maybe a desk or tool chest on wheels could work.  A roll away tool chest can offer lots of storage capacity and a flat working surface can easily be devised such as using one of the pull out draws to hold a piece of plywood. You would then have a desk height working surface that easily breaks down for storage and a clamp on light or mag/light can be attached.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, December 7, 2014 3:25 PM

I use one of the larger tackle boxes bought from Walmart for under $20. Add one of those cutting boards from the crafts store or fabric store and my mobile workshop is complete.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Nampa, Idaho
Posted by jelliott523 on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 2:25 PM

If I may offer a suggestion...  Please, if you have a significant other in the house, ask if they minds if you work on your models on the dining room table.  If they say "no" or "I'd prefer that you didn't" which is a loose translation of "no", then I'd find an old desk to work on.  Take it from me, I found out the hard way that if you are working on a dining room table and have an accident, the modeling will not be looked upon as a good thing.

On the Bench:  Lots of unfinished projects!  Smile

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by bluenote on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 3:05 PM

Up until recently I simply used a tv tray with a tackle box.  Now, I use a computer armoir.  It's pretty small, but it has 2 doors on it so I can close the doors and conceal everything.  It's in my basement.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Grass Valley, CA
Posted by seaphoto on Sunday, January 11, 2015 1:30 PM

If you have room for an old roll top desk the are great for model workbenches.  I use one as my "winter workshop" inside when it gets to cold in my workshop outside.   I found  one used for less than  200 bucks on the local Craigslist and it has more than enough room for everything.   You can even fit a small compressor inside one of the file drawers.  The great advantage is when you are done you roll the top down and you have a clean and neat area that will please SWMBO.  A bonus is that with the top down, your paint can dry in a much more dust free environment.

Kurt Greiner

Interested in large scale, radio control warships? http://www.warshipmodelsunderway.com

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