Computers For Reference at the Workbench?

My work laptop double as a tool for my workbench. Specially when you have to scratch build.

Before cutting the styrene board, I do the pattern first in my choice of software. Then print it on a sheet sticker. And stick the sticker with the printed pattern on the styrene board and then I cut. I also have a tablet, and I use it for viewing reference picture only. www.junaustriamodel.blogspot.com/.../wip.html this is just one of my work that my laptop really helps a lot.

I have my bench and desk  set up in a way so that the distance between my bench and the computer is great enough to prevent over-spray and splashes to reach it.

I'm spraying my models at the very left part of one of the desks and my computer stands at the very right part of the 2nd one.

Cheers, Clemens

Those of you who have a computer located at the bench:

 do you position the computer in such a way so as to prevent  damage from splashes, over-spray, etc.? 

In the past, my build area has always been the same as my computer desk. Now that I have a dedicated space seperate from the apartment, I always bring my laptop with me. I am fortunate enough right now that my outside storage unit is close enough to the apartment that my wireless internet works.

If I am not using google to search for photos, I am listening or watching movies while building. Either that or listening to the ball game on the radio.

i stream music when i work, sometimes play a dvd. also have a radio and cd player in the bunker and a tv but no cable in the bunker, just in the living room and study. i will work in the study doing sanding and small stuff if i want to watch cable.

I use my Iphone or Ipad to display reference pics at the bench. It is quick and easy.

I use my iPad and Dropbox. Dropbox is a cloud storage app that runs on all PC's, tablets and smartphones. I set up a folder for models in progress and as I browse the web I drop or save into the Dropbox folder the pictures or diagrams of the model I'm working on. I can quickly access the information on my iPad at the workbench. The pinch to zoom comes in handy to look at detail in photos. The iPad also comes in handy to place orders for supplies right from your workbench.

Well, initially it appeared a photo frame might fulfill my needs.

Unfortunately, few stores now sell units in a useful size and resolution / file size is smaller than the majority of the armor reference photos I have taken using my digital camera.

It appears the best solution will be the purchase of a larger monitor for my primary desk top computer and use the older monitor with my laptop.

A tablet would be nice, but they are currently just too expensive to warrant a purchase for primarily hobby use and modern cell phones are a bit too small.

So long as I shield the monitor and mount laptop in an area away from the action, I should be able to reference my photos and drawings while at the bench.

Thanks to all those who generously posted information and experiences using technology as aides in your model building. 

Not only do I have a computer at my workbench but I find it indispensable. Great for reference photos, drawings, diagrams, YouTube etc.

There is also the entertainment side of it while you work, Internet radio, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, et al, DVD's.

It can most definitely be distracting and I frequently have to turn it off.

Personally I would not be comfortable with a tablet, just to small for my aging eyes.

You don't need much of a computer for doing any of the above. An older PC running XP with 2 gig and basic on board video would work great. Just about any LCD TV made in the last 6-7 years can do double duty as a monitor.

We have a computer, in our bedroom but, I seem to get more reference material, using my Kindle Fire. It has a bigger screen than a smart phone and is portable.

If I need to save pics, I do all that from the computer.

I use my tablet for quick reference look-ups.  

I use my phone, good for pictures and doubles as a stereo.  Nice to throw an Ottawa based blues station on and work away.

My workbench doubles as the kitchen table... or is it the other way around?? Space is at a premium. I sometimes pull the laptop out to check references as I'm working on some details, but I'm more likely to transfer those photos onto my iPod due to the smaller space required.

My workbench doubles as the kitchen table... or is it the other way around?? Space is at a premium. I sometimes pull the laptop out to check references as I'm working on some details, but I'm more likely to transfer those photos onto my iPod due to the smaller space required.

I have started using my tablet at my workbench for online reference...

today it helped with this

I just ordered the "P-47 in Action" book made by squadron and I'll buy myself the Barracuda one in early-mid June. I just have to decide if I want the hardcover version or not....

Clemens

I use an IPad all the time

SchattenSpartan

Ill probaably buy the Barracuda one and the "P-47 in action" from Squadron for a beginning.

Clemens

Best of luck on your search, Clemens. 

Don Stauffer

I used to print out reference photos on glossy photo paper.  You are right- that stuff can be expensive.  Lately I have been printing out on regular paper. Cheap but not as pleasing to eye.  However, I find it works fine for reference.

I used to print out reference photos on glossy photo paper.  You are right- that stuff can be expensive.  Lately I have been printing out on regular paper. Cheap but not as pleasing to eye.  However, I find it works fine for reference.

Do those of you who use a computer to play music also listen to internet radio?

padakr

I have my son's old laptop on a stand near my workbench.

You found a use for an old laptop computer....................

I have my son's old laptop on a stand near my workbench.  I use it occasionally when I need to look up something, usually trying to get a better picture of how some part of a subject looked when the instructions are a bit vague.

icit

Goose, go to walmart and get yourself one of those digital picture frames that plays pictures from a flash drive. Every project I load up every picture or piece of reference materail ( including video) and I just flip to the file I need and get to work. They are small enought to mount on the wall or just to sit up right on the bench and depending on how much money you want to spend you get the ones with remotes and zoom etc... it beats paying hundreds for a a desk top computer. Good luck.

ICIT

Oh, yes !

Should be a lot cheaper than a computer with the same screen size.

One of those should do the trick ! 

Both my computer and phone on right next to me.  I use them both all the time.  The computer gets used for reference, music, and all of other distractions/white noise.

Really no room on the bench,I will print out info that I need and use that for reference

Goose, go to walmart and get yourself one of those digital picture frames that plays pictures from a flash drive. Every project I load up every picture or piece of reference materail ( including video) and I just flip to the file I need and get to work. They are small enought to mount on the wall or just to sit up right on the bench and depending on how much money you want to spend you get the ones with remotes and zoom etc... it beats paying hundreds for a a desk top computer. Good luck.

ICIT

Ill probaably buy the Barracuda one and the "P-47 in action" from Squadron for a beginning.

Clemens

SchattenSpartan

I found books for the Lightning, Corsair and Hellcat, but none about the Thunderbolt...

How about the these books:

www.hannants.co.uk/.../BGSB019

www.hannants.co.uk/.../SQSP6001

www.hannants.co.uk/.../WPSSP01

www.hannants.co.uk/.../SQS1208

I'd like to buy me one or two of them, but I don't know which ones are worth it.

Cheers, Clemens