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Who needs a workbench?

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  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Maryland
Who needs a workbench?
Posted by usmc1371 on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 11:05 PM

Hi all,

I've seen some posts of people who have built some really incredible workbenches and work rooms.  Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury.  I model out of a converted tacle box on my kitchen table.  For those who might be discouraged about their modeling center, I've enclosed pictures of my setup:

The setup:

The setup includes a tackle box by Plano, work-board, cutting mat, and work light.  The box was slightly modified by cutting out some of the dividers on the trays to make more room.  The work-board has felt pads on the back so that the board doesn't cause any scratches.  The work light is a very bright fluorescent that folds up.

This is it ready to go:

Inside of the tackle box:

The tools:

Inside the tackle box are the following items:

  • - 10 bottles of paint for current project
  • - 2 bottles of thinner
  • - Razor saw, handle and miter box
  • - Some popsicle sticks
  • - 6 inch and 12 inch steel ruler
  • - "Helping Hands" tool with magnifier
  • - tube cement, white glue, liquid cement, CA glue, Zip kicker
  • - Masking tape
  • - Rag
  • - Painting palette
  • - Elmer's tack
  • - Package of straight edge razor blades
  • - Candle and matches
  • - Piece of glass
  • - Needle nose plies, Photo-etch cutter, Sprue Cutter
  • - Scissors
  • - 5 sanding sticks
  • - 5 regular files, 3 micro files
  • - Flex-I-File with extra sanding sheets
  • - 5 sanding films
  • - Putty
  • - 2 clamps
  • - Razor blade
  • - 2 eye droppers
  • - 4 types of tweezers
  • - Toothbrush
  • - 8 paint brushes
  • - Pencil and Highlighter
  • - Etchmate
  • - Waldron Punch set
  • - Steel square
  • - Reading glasses
  • - Assortment of different razor blades
  • - Pin vise with bits
  • - Toothpicks
  • - Putty knife
  • - Scriber

I hope this might give some inspiration to those who feel they don't have enough room.  I like the fact that I can work in any room of the house.  I can also easily lock my stuff up from my curious kids.  The only downside is that I don't like my paintbrushes laying on their sides, but oh well.

Any comments or questions are welcome.

Jesse

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois
Posted by Triarius on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 11:40 PM
I had the best of both worlds. I have an extensive workbench, but I was also a "long distance Dad" for many years. I and both of my sons had workbenches in a box—each had a tool box with all of their tools and paints, and there was one box for kits under construction. My kids still keep most of their tools in the tool boxes.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Boyertown, PA, USA
Posted by Dubau on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 8:45 AM

Cool setup Jesse Thumbs Up [tup]

Bud

" You've experienced a set back, and without set backs and learning how to fix them you'll never make the leap from kit builder to modeler "
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Drummondville, Quebec, Canada
Posted by Yann Solo on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 8:56 AM
That's quite interesting, you can travel with your complete "workbench".  The only problem would be to travel with the stash of models also!
No matter where you go ....... there you are.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Reno, NV
Posted by espins1 on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 10:52 AM
I have a lot of the goodies you have there, but I never though of loading up a tackle box!  Great idea!  Smile [:)]I've been having such a tough time with so much stuff "unorganized". 

Scott Espin - IPMS Reno High Rollers  Geeked My Reviews 

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Southeast Louisiana
Posted by Wulf on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 1:50 PM

As I always say.......it's not the size of your workbench, it's how you use it.Wink [;)]

 

Andy

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by cassibill on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 2:33 PM
Nice demonstration a "workbench on wheels".  I've got a small toolbox where I stash the stuff I'm currently using so I can go work in front of the TV or take it home for the week end.

cdw My life flashes before my eyes and it mostly my life flashing before my eyes!!!Big Smile The 1/144 scale census and message board: http://144scalelist.freewebpage.org/index.html

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Friday, October 6, 2006 9:49 PM
Ya know, if I would have had one of those boards when I was a kid, it would have saved me a lot of grief! I didn't have anything but the coffee table in the living room for quite awhile, but I made do, of course my mother always hated it cause I had to leave them there to dry, and my dad always took my side, silly, silly man he is Wink [;)] I finally had somebody give me a small desk, and after awhile, I figured I would just make my own, its a rather simple design, its ugly, but its got lots of room and its strong.

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Newfoundland, Canada
Posted by ZzZGuy on Friday, October 6, 2006 10:09 PM
Very good setup for getting started with model building. But later on when you know what you need and how often you'll have more of a work station.

Mongol General: Conan, What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven befor you, and hear the lamentations of the woman!

  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by Jim Barton on Saturday, October 7, 2006 6:25 PM

I've got two sets of tools: my regular tools at my work station, and a separate set of tools for modeling outdoors or taking on the road. I ended up with a second set of tools because I got tired of trying to figure out what I wanted to bring to my outdoor workbench. The drill always went like this: Set up the outdoor workbench, bring the model and some tools out ("I'll need the Number 11 knife, some files, the super glue and some flat black paint and brushes."). Get nice and comfortable, begin to model, then realize I forgot the putty. Go get the putty. Back outside, apply the putty, rinse the applicator, then go back in to get a paper napkin for drying the tool. While the putty dries, paint a part flat black, then go back inside to get the paint thinner I forgot. (Meanwhile, the paint quickly dries on the brush thanks to the nice dry Phoenix air.) Once I'm done rescuing the paintbrush, the putty's nice and dry, so I have to go get the sanding sticks as the file is too coarse, and well, you get the picture.

Finally got tired of bouncing up and down like a Jack-in-the-box gone ape, so that's when I bought a terrific new fishing tackle box and a second set of tools. (I got a Flambeau Outdoors' 7 Tray Hip-Roof Box at Sportsman's Warehouse in north Phoenix.) This tackle box enables me to take the model on the road now; it's relatively compact, but it holds a lot of stuff. And recently, I bought a little desk at a yard sale that fits nicely outside and I was FINALLY able to throw that rickety old tea cart I'd been using in the dumpster! 

"Whaddya mean 'Who's flying the plane?!' Nobody's flying the plane!"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 7, 2006 8:53 PM
I dont have the problem of space to work in, ive taken over the garden shed. I just have the problem of other projects and complete things getting in the way. Currantly my workbench is home to a 1/8 scale Tiger Moth, 2x 1/16th scale Tanks, 1 Radio control truck, one 60inch pt boat for radio control, a f105 being repaired and a few plastic models. Dont ask how i manage to work amongst it all, as i dont know myself.
jwb
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Parkton, NC
Posted by jwb on Sunday, October 8, 2006 5:39 PM
I do the same thing usmc1371. I'm on my second tackle box, though I'm going to have to find something larger- I'm collecting a ton of tools. We're hoping to move into a new house in the next 6 months, and I so want my own room for modeling.

Where do you store your paints?

Jon Bius

AgapeModels.com- Modeling with a Higher purpose

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Abbotsford, B.C. Canada
Posted by DrewH on Sunday, October 8, 2006 8:38 PM

Hey, I know that one well. I started out like that, then it was to two tackel boxes, then this:

If you can fit that into four of your tackel boxes, I'd be soooooo amazed. You get your own room, it's like moving into a new house. Gotta buy new furniture to fill the room. In this case, new tools that you now need.

Don't let you wife know what happens when you get your own roomWink [;)]Tongue [:P]

Take this plastic and model it!
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Maryland
Posted by usmc1371 on Monday, October 9, 2006 7:49 PM

Actually, I had my own room about 2 years ago. Had a custom made desk and a spray booth.  Now I have two kids and no room.  I'm a stay-at-home dad and I work part-time at night.  My toolbox setup allows me to work at the kitchen table.  I like that since I'm upstairs with the wife and kids while I'm working.  For the little time that we are all home together, it's nice to be in the same room.

My spray booth is in the basement sitting on a cabinet.  I keep my paints in there.  I generally do my spraying at night when everyone is asleep or on the weekends. 

By the way, I did my 1/350 Arizona with PE on my kitchen table:

Jesse

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: White Mountains, NH
Posted by jhande on Friday, October 13, 2006 5:25 AM
 usmc1371 wrote:

Hi all,

I've seen some posts of people who have built some really incredible workbenches and work rooms.  Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury.  I model out of a converted tacle box on my kitchen table.  For those who might be discouraged about their modeling center, I've enclosed pictures of my setup: ...

I hope this might give some inspiration to those who feel they don't have enough room.  I like the fact that I can work in any room of the house.  I can also easily lock my stuff up from my curious kids.

Any comments or questions are welcome.

Jesse



Thanks for sharing Jesse.

When I was a kid I started out with my limited modeling supplies in one of my desk drawers. I then moved up to a tackle box and used it for years. But now that I am back into modeling with my son I moved us both up to our own Black & Decker tool box (see pic below). Now besides the box holding our tools and supplies, we can pack our current project in the bottom for traveling or storage as well. We're both in the same position, we build when and were we can.



Nice looking ship model ;)

Happy Modeling!


-- Jim --
"Put the pedal down & shake the ground!"

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Friday, December 22, 2006 6:30 PM
My workbench aint fancy , just a sheet of plywood and a 2x4 frame , but it works just fine !
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)
Posted by m60a3 on Friday, December 22, 2006 7:23 PM

 I have eight cinder blocks with a piece of plywood on top. If I get the house I am trying to buy I may have to upgrade and stain the plywood.

        60        Big Smile [:D]
 

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Saturday, December 23, 2006 9:00 AM
 m60a3 wrote:

 I have eight cinder blocks with a piece of plywood on top. If I get the house I am trying to buy I may have to upgrade and stain the plywood.

        60        Big Smile [:D]
 

Laugh [(-D] Laugh [(-D] Don't bother staining it 60, just spray her down with some dark ghost gray on top and some light ghost gray on bottom and call it tactical camo... then you won't have to worry about the cat finding it, it will be camoflaged and invisible to everyone but you!

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)
Posted by m60a3 on Friday, December 29, 2006 3:18 PM

 The cat shall never enter my office/hobby room.

 Hey!! The room I am going to use in the new house doesn't have carpet. You hear that, carpet gremlins?

 60 

 PS  Hey eizzle, either that or a tri-color NATO pattern. Good idea, sock chewer. 

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.
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