Bench Dicipline

[Scott Colmer]

Way back in the 80s and 90s I lived in Sacramento and got to build models with Jerry Amaral. Jerry is an excellent builder who frequently pulled down awards and got his models in magazines. He is also a funny guy with an excellent attitude. This was one fo the rare times in my life where I regularly got to build model with someone. Jerry had a good size workbench so I would bring a project to his place and we would work together and joke, listen to Lake Woebegone, and talk models. Good times.  

Now to my point. One day I showed up and put my box at my spot on Jerry's bench. He said "not there." I probably looked him like a three year old trying to figure out a new word. "Over there." Jerry pointed to a cardtable he had set up about 10 feet behind the bench. Same look back at Jerry. "Last time you were here, you left a file on a painted part."

I was banned. I sat at my small table for quite a few sessions. I can't remember how many, but I got the point....to a point.

So here is where we start the discussion about work bench discipline. Who can define it? Who thinks they have it? Why or why not is it important to YOU?

For me, I at least try to have a place for each tool within reach. They should always go back to their spot.  ( Demming for those from a manufacturing background.)  But WHEN do they go to their spot?  I try to put bits and files (Jerry!) away after their use. But I'm not 100% I still tend to build a tool pile to my left when I am in the middle of a big thrash. That pile can stay for days until I finish a small project. Scraps go on the right. 

The WHY for me is I want to build more efficiently, and more cleanly. 

This is this morning after a night of clean up. My bench was destroyed due to my last minute GSL thrash. 

Let's hear it. How do you run your bench?

[Mike 1017]

When it gets too cluttered to work on. About once a week it gets uncluttered.

Mike

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

38 minutes ago, Scott Colmer said:

...I still tend to build a tool pile to my left when I am in the middle of a big thrash. That pile can stay for days until I finish a small project.

Yup. I'll generally clean up and reorganize after each separate job is finished...same in the big-car shop.

This coming Monday is my put-stuff-away at one 1:1 shop, 'cause I couldn't put my hands on much of anything easily last week, and though I have a large bay there with benches on two sides, it's really not enough for the complexity of the build.

Organization is necessary to progress efficiently.

Some of the model shop at home doubles for big-car work, like making small parts on the baby lathe. It can get scrambled pretty quickly if some bench discipline isn't observed.

Edited May 20, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[Rich Chernosky]

This an interesting topic.  I have been asked several times by fellow modellers how I manage to start and finish projects so quickly.  Its really a matter of being  organized.   This means not spending 25% of your time looking for tools. Workbench discipline is another.   As you work look at the tools you are using.  If you haven't used a tool in awhile put it away. Helps if you have a place to put it.  This is a state of mind  that has to be developed over time. Once you get in the habit you are well on your way.  I actually get irritated when I see too many tools or parts in my area.  Your work area will always be a work in progress as you find better was of storing tools and accessories. Below is a picture of my work area with a short explanation.  And yes...it usually looks this way. 

Note that the most used tools (knives, tweezers, pliers, dremels) are dead center for easy access. Same for paints, thinners and brushes.  My top is granite. Its very hared but absolutely nothing sticks to it.  All of the drawers contain tools and materials that are commonly used.  The most used are in the center. Way off to the right is the spray booth (not pictured) This workbench is a progression of over 50 yrs of changes,  Its comfortable and well lit. When I sit here I am truly at home and the rest of the world goes away. 

[Scott Colmer]

That's what I am talking about. I recently put my most used tool in arms reach. They are in coffee cups. The problems is that exactos have the blades down so I have to draw a couple before I get the one I want. I color coded them, but marker wore off. I would be better to have a magnetic strip or long stand so they could be in order.

The empty rack at the back of the bench used to hold pliers...Just out of reach. Now they hang on the lip of a coffee cup.

I am thinking of another reorg.

My paints and paint area are a mess. 

[NOBLNG]

I just cleaned up my bench this morning. Similar system….most used tools closest

Edited May 20, 2023 by NOBLNG

[StevenGuthmiller]

Personally, the only reason that I EVER clean my bench is when I can no longer find my tools or parts. 
The whole idea of taking valuable building time to spend cleaning my bench is completely foreign to me and  holds little importance to the enjoyment of my beloved hobby.

Cleaning my bench is “cleaning”.

I love building, but I despise cleaning!!

 

 

Steve

Edited May 21, 2023 by StevenGuthmiller

[Rattlecan Dan]

At first I chuckled at your gorgeously organized workstations. And while grimacing at my own, I realized I do put things back where I keep them. I almost always work one build at a time. And so, while it looks a mess, I know where everything is. Sad case huh?.

[dragstk]

I used to have a bench that was pretty messy all the time. Then I got a job at a place where no one ever put anything back or just moved it out of their way, regardless of what it did to others. And I hated this, because I was the one who had to clean up the messes. So my model table became more and more organized. It was just my way of dealing with work. Like most of you, the tools I use most are right near by. But once I use it, it goes back in its spot. Yes, its a bit obsessive (can you say OCD?). But it helped me have some sanity. But Ive retired but the habit of putting tools away still remains. Same with parts. If Im not actually working with them, they are in the box.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I honestly don’t know how you guys “put a tool back” when you’re “done” using it.

I might go back and forth between 4 different files, a scribing tool, a couple different knives, a couple of dental picks, and a piece of sand paper, a half dozen times just scribing one body panel, and the scribing process might take me a couple of weeks to complete.

If I was returning tools to their original positions every time that I got done using them for a minute and a half, all that I would get accomplished is the shuffling of tools!

 

 

 

Steve

[stitchdup]

I build at an old computer desk. I have tubs that fit under the bench for unfinished builds. The keyboard tray I have glued plastic to the back and now use it for most of my files and sanding sticks. small paints are in 2 drawers in an old set of drawers from a nurses home and i have 2 cupboard units from the same source that hold my flocking, some spray paints and my booth sits on top of them. My drill bits and smaller tools are in a small container thats molded into the keyboard drawer and i have 2 pint glasses for my brushes, one for clean and one for dirty. Now while i have a spot for everything, most of the time tools i use the most just dont get put back. I also have a travel set of tools that is in a resin box that includes doubles of many of my tools. To be honest much of my model room looks like a hoarder house with just a track from the door to my chair but its just how i feel comfortable working.

[Bills72sj]

My bench is mostly organized. I HAVE to put parts in progress away when I leave the bench or they are at risk of disappearing thanks to my Wife's cat. My tools are generally parked at my right or right in from of me. I will often leave tools out of place but no mare than 5 at a time. I also use my bench for intermittent electronic work. Some of those tools are mixed in. While I see most of you build on a cutting mat, I build on a threadbare hand towel. Parts do not move and I can wipe my finger of paint or adhesive really quick. And no, it does not give me a lint issue. Every so often I take it outside and shake out all the accumulated styrene bits and shavings.

[Bugatti Fan]

Pick a tool up. Use it and lose it under all the other stuff you are working on. Frustrating when you have to search for it under all the other stuff scattered on the bench when needed a second time around!  Sound familiar?I

I have to tidy up  my work bench after each daily session for the sake of my own sanity and cannot just leave it in a mess!

[dragstk]

Well Steve, If letting my bench get messy so I could build cars as well detailed as your, I'd consider it. ?

[Ace-Garageguy]

What works for some just doesn't work for others. I'm somewhere between pretty well organized and totally out of control...most of the time. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

I’m not knocking anyone for how organized or unorganized they keep their bench, I personally just give it little weight in the grand scheme of the building process.

I clean it up eventually, but it’s pretty low on my priority list.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited May 22, 2023 by StevenGuthmiller

[ewetwo]

2 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

What works for some just doesn't work for others. I'm somewhere between pretty well organized and totally out of control...most of the time. 

I’m with you Bill.

[Straightliner59]

This is kind of where I've arrived. The line of tools on the rear cutting mat just stay there. I use them almost constantly, so it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to put them away. The pile of stuff in front of those are bits of scratchbuilding materials, and the assemblies in progress, that I am using them on. To the left of those are more complete, and some finished assemblies. Directly to the left of the chair (this POV) is a 1" thick slab of granite that I keep the main part of a project on, and do final assembly on. Other tools that I use frequently, but not constantly are open, on shelves, or in the bins or drawers, at the back of the bench. I only recently began keeping that line of tools out on the bench. I've discovered that I like it this way! Every two weeks to a month, I sort the main pile back into its various storage, and start that process over again.

[Vintage AMT]

Not much to to keep tidy, but, it gets the job done.

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Vintage AMT said:

Not much to to keep tidy, but, it gets the job done.

Did you just start this hobby last week….or, how do you avoid the acquiring packrat syndrome??

[Vintage AMT]

6 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Did you just start this hobby last week….or, how do you avoid the acquiring packrat syndrome??

No, just a little over 50 years at it. I keep all my stash/paints/etc. out in the storage shed, I use this little tray so I'm not stuck in a room all the time, great to be mobile!!

[Rick L]

I’ve worked with plenty of people with different “styles” of organization. Some were considered neat freaks and others were considered slobs. The end result was always the same. I came to the conclusion that some people have organized benches and others have organized minds.

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, Rick L said:

I’ve worked with plenty of people with different “styles” of organization. Some were considered neat freaks and others were considered slobs. The end result was always the same. I came to the conclusion that some people have organized benches and others have organized minds.

Slob!! ?

 

 

 

Steve

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

I'm not going to show you a picture of my workbench. I work in a disaster zone....it's always been that way, not sure why. I'm not a messy person in any other aspect of my life. Seems to work for me, so I'm off to the bench (where I hope I can find that part that just skipped town last night).... -RRR

[Paul Payne]

I try to reduce clutter as I go. Four tools always out are two tweezers, an X-acto knife, my eye loupe, and a pin vise. Everything else is in a tool holder I built from super gluing pill bottles together. Jar paint is in the bench drawer, spray paint in the closet. My biggest problem is dust and pet hair- very hard to keep up with. I use a cookie sheet to build on, or at least set out parts. My dad was a certified master watchmaker and I inherited his bench and some of his tools. I also have "stations" which are trays I do putty work and sanding on as well as sawing, grind sanding, and weathering. Parts are mostly stored in parts bins or plastic bags. Shelves store reference material , unbuilt models, and built models on display. I would love to have more room, but I'm thankful for the space I have, and most important, my very supportive wife, Betsy- supplier of wire, jewelry finding, and enthusiasm for my projects!

 

Edited May 27, 2023 by Paul Payne
replaced a photo