Bench Dicipline

[ewetwo]

3 minutes ago, bobss396 said:

I was thinking of attaching one of those Harbor Fright fake light switches under the table and still might do that. When I built in the basement, that was a tile kitchen floor and parts flew off into another dimension.

In my dining room it has an area rug. I lost a completed header for a NASCAR build. I wasn't sure if was on the kitchen counter or floor, so I tore both areas apart. Looked under all appliances, no luck. It was a month later, the part magically appeared in the middle of the kitchen floor, the cat must have come across it.

You must have given your cat a great treat for finding that part for you LOL

[bobss396]

1 minute ago, ewetwo said:

You must have given your cat a great treat for finding that part for you LOL

I did, the cat is treated like royalty. I had a '48 Ford chassis primed on the counter when he was like 5 months old. I come down in the morning and the chassis is sitting on the living room floor.

[ewetwo]

He wants to be a model builder like his dad. ?

 

[bobss396]

22 hours ago, ewetwo said:

He wants to be a model builder like his dad. ?

 

My older cat that we lost last year was never more than 2 feet away from me when I was modeling. She slept curled up on the floor next to be, I had to be careful when doing any sanding or dropping things on her.

[ewetwo]

My first cat was like that. Always by my side. May last cat. Only showed affection when I was sitting on the toilet. That was when she decided she was a lap cat.

[bobss396]

My older one followed me to the bathroom every trip. She would yowl by the door if I closed it, so I would leave it open if nobody was home. The little cat would play in the sink while he waited for me to be done.

[ewetwo]

On 10/8/2023 at 8:59 AM, bobss396 said:

I was thinking of attaching one of those Harbor Fright fake light switches under the table and still might do that. When I built in the basement, that was a tile kitchen floor and parts flew off into another dimension.

In my dining room it has an area rug. I lost a completed header for a NASCAR build. I wasn't sure if was on the kitchen counter or floor, so I tore both areas apart. Looked under all appliances, no luck. It was a month later, the part magically appeared in the middle of the kitchen floor, the cat must have come across it.

I got one from the $1.25 store. A toggle one. It's under my work space and we'll see how well it works in the future. LOL 

[ncbuckeye67]

On 5/20/2023 at 11:24 AM, Scott Colmer said:

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?

I'm kinda anal when it comes down to it, so I'm like Jerry. It would probably be different if we had a basement.

[ncbuckeye67]

On 5/20/2023 at 11:24 AM, Scott Colmer said:

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?

I'm kinda anal when it comes down to it, so I'm like Jerry. It would probably be different if we had a basement.

[James2]

On 5/22/2023 at 9:42 AM, Vintage AMT said:

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

I like this, great idea. Reminds me of my travel kit I would take on the road while working out of town. 

 

PS If you spray paint in the hotel turn the fan on!

[bobss396]

Me and my brother would build together on Monday evenings, he came over to my house. This is when I had a nice set up in the finished basement. I had a spot for him at my table with a light. 

I was thinking of inviting some club members to my house, but I would have to really clean the dining room up. My girlfriend had a comment last night... it is out of hand when we had to eat dinner in the living room off snack tables.

[larrymoo]

On 5/27/2023 at 8:47 AM, Paul Payne said:

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!

 

I like your tool holder

[bobss396]

I try to avoid building on trays, too easy to flip over. I store supplies on old beer trays, I should put a "lazy Susan" base on one to see if I like it. 

I keep an assortment of files, sanding sticks and a few xacto knives out at any time. These get dirty fast, I have to wash the sanding sticks often to keep the dust down on my building area.

Here's one thing I see at shows and contests. Models that look like they have been through a dust-storm. I have asked the builders if that was an older model... no sir, just completed. Dust embedded on EVERYTHING. Like they build next to a dryer vent. 

[Bills72sj]

13 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I try to avoid building on trays, too easy to flip over. I store supplies on old beer trays, I should put a "lazy Susan" base on one to see if I like it. 

I keep an assortment of files, sanding sticks and a few xacto knives out at any time. These get dirty fast, I have to wash the sanding sticks often to keep the dust down on my building area.

Here's one thing I see at shows and contests. Models that look like they have been through a dust-storm. I have asked the builders if that was an older model... no sir, just completed. Dust embedded on EVERYTHING. Like they build next to a dryer vent. 

Back before I had a dedicated work bench, I used to use a Formica countertop sink cutout scrap as a mobile base. The 3/4" particle board gives it some heft.

I have noticed the dust phenomenon in photos as well. I have taken to dusting my finished builds in my paint booth prior to pics...   Assuming I remember.

[Skip]

12 hours ago, Bills72sj said:

Back before I had a dedicated work bench, I used to use a Formica countertop sink cutout scrap as a mobile base. The 3/4" particle board gives it some heft.

My bench tops are 4' & 6' lengths of Formica countertop that you can buy at either Lowes or Home Depot, has the bullnose front edge and the 6" backsplash at the back. From a dust and cleanup standpoint, they are the best, you just wipe the countertop down with a damp cloth and the dusty tidbits are gone. I also have a 2' length of white HDPE cutting board that all cutting and sawing is done on, this alone has contributed to a cleaner tabletop. I use the tray system for the tools that I am using at that particular time, they are returned to their drawers as soon as the build session is done for the evening. Keeps the common tools I am using at my right hand throughout the building session.

One bench is a sit-down work bench and the other is a stand-up work bench which is set at counter height on top of some used kitchen base cabinets, one benefit of using the base cabinets was that I got plenty of drawer space plus one shelved cabinet with doors to keep stuff on those shelves clean. Above the countertop are upper kitchen cabinets where parts, adhesives, bases... are stored, on the back of the doors I glued 1/2" cork sheet and pin the small PE bags, along with some resin parts in bags, keeps stuff at hand and off of the workbench itself.

Whatever system you develop for yourself, needs to be one that you will use and stick to, otherwise you're wasting your time, effort and money. 

[thatz4u]

On 5/20/2023 at 9:17 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

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

?? same here

[Mattblack]

Some serious bench envy going on here!

This is my set up. Cheap 'flat pack' desk. Small/frequently used tools in the plastic drawers at the back, larger and less used stuff in the toolbox on the bottom left. Favorite coffee mug on the right! Paint is in the draw and needs to be better organized really. The plastic drawers on the left contain sprues with parts left on them and loose spares, a 'junkyard' of (mainly) bodies that I bought on ebay a while ago and gets picked over fairly regularly, decals and bare metal foil and all the bits and pieces of wire, craft felt, ribbon ect ect that will come in useful one day... 

 

I like to keep it tidy, I'll have a few tools out but when I'm done with that 'stage' I'll put them away. Painted sub-assemblies go in a small plastic food box until required. I'm glad I'm not alone in sitting too far from the bench and losing parts on the floor, though I don't have a cat... My other hobby is tinkering with old small engines and small generators ect, and my motto there is 'the bench is for working on, not storage'.

Edited November 1, 2023 by Mattblack

[slusher]

8 hours ago, Mattblack said:

Some serious bench envy going on here!

This is my set up. Cheap 'flat pack' desk. Small/frequently used tools in the plastic drawers at the back, larger and less used stuff in the toolbox on the bottom left. Favorite coffee mug on the right! Paint is in the draw and needs to be better organized really. The plastic drawers on the left contain sprues with parts left on them and loose spares, a 'junkyard' of (mainly) bodies that I bought on ebay a while ago and gets picked over fairly regularly, decals and bare metal foil and all the bits and pieces of wire, craft felt, ribbon ect ect that will come in useful one day... 

 

I like to keep it tidy, I'll have a few tools out but when I'm done with that 'stage' I'll put them away. Painted sub-assemblies go in a small plastic food box until required. I'm glad I'm not alone in sitting too far from the bench and losing parts on the floor, though I don't have a cat... My other hobby is tinkering with old small engines and small generators ect, and my motto there is 'the bench is for working on, not storage'.

Really nice clean desk!!

[Bullybeef]

My temporary desk

[bill-e-boy]

This the cleanest you will see my bench. House for sale and open to view so the powers that be dictate a clean space. Gear comes out between viewings though

 

[Steve H]

 I enjoy seeing how and where others build their creations. My bench always gets a reasonable cleaning when I get to final assembly of a project. Usually gets a fairly thorough cleaning at the end of a project, beginning of a new one. This week I gave it my version of very thorough cleaning. I’m between projects and it was time for some cleaning and a bit of reorganizing. This is as clean as my desk gets!! The clutter builds up, especially during kit bashing builds. I tend to build in “organized chaos” a majority of the time. As for tools, I keep several of the most used within reach, knife, files, sand paper, sanding sticks, glue, toothpicks, tweezers… but every 5-10 sessions I do a quick clean. Lucky enough to have a dedicated hobby room with a large closet (to the right of photo) for my stash. My paint booth is out in my shop, which is a bit inconvenient, but certainly not terrible. Most of my “parts box” items are in the storage bins on the desk, the rest is in the drawers. Definitely not as organized as some of you, but it works for me.  Oh… yes that is deodorant on shelf, its not normally there, but I had an idea for a silly model project using an empty deodorant stick, coming soon maybe…

 

[Ulf]

On 10/9/2023 at 2:35 PM, ewetwo said:

My first cat was like that. Always by my side. May last cat. Only showed affection when I was sitting on the toilet. That was when she decided she was a lap cat.

All cats, all animals deserve to be treated like royalty. Our little Crumb likes to sit on the table while I build. 

[Steve H]

Oh ya !!! My little buddy Otis is often right beside me at the hobby desk. He loves hobby days! He curls up and almost immediately starts his quiet snoring. He sleeps thru most of the hobby sessions… 

[bobss396]

This was my table on Thanksgiving. Totally cleared off.

[bobss396]

This is it right now, folded the table cloth back half way.