how about workbench ideas?

[DrewCfromSC]

Just bought a new to me house that has a great shop. Just getting back into the hobby. Been building on and off since 1968. Im working on an area for modelng. It is now a blank 10 long by 3 feet with a 7 foot on one side to 10 feet roof area. Previous owner left some really nice building materials! What type of lighting, tools,workbench, desk, table do you like and why? Any ideas on storage ares for paint and supplies too? Photos would be great.

Drew

[DrewCfromSC]

Cool. Thanks for the ideas. I have 5 of those plastic shelves in my other garage. Was going to sell them at my yard sale, but think im going to keep them now. I really like the rolltop desk idea too!

Drew

[crispy]

This thread should help you out:

Other workbenches

Chris

[DrewCfromSC]

This thread should help you out:

Other workbenches

Chris

Thank you! Thats a good thread. Have a great day!

Drew

[Mark Brown]

I've probably posted this before on another thread, but I thought it might be relevant. I've used many different setups over the years, but I haven't found anything I like better than a good old office desk. The combination of large work surface and good drawer arrangement has worked well for me, though I've outgrown this one and am looking at alternatives. I made the paint and tool shelf part from various scraps of wood and like the desk itself, it's been through several upgrades. Aside from having gotten a bit cramped over the years, it's a very friendly place to work, and to me, that's the most important thing. My workspace has to be inviting and fit like a comfortable shoe, and this one does.

The main source of light is a pair of 48" flourescent tubes mounted overhead (behind the stained wood you see at the top of the photo). The light "enclosure" also serves as a shelf for models above.

By the way, it's almost never this organized or tidy.....

Edited July 6, 2010 by Mark Brown

[96Delta]

Started a thread like this on another modeling site.

It proved very popular with many users posting.

Enjoy!

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14416

[DrewCfromSC]

I've probably posted this before on another thread, but I thought it might be relevant. I've used many different setups over the years, but I haven't found anything I like better than a good old office desk. The combination of large work surface and good drawer arrangement has worked well for me, though I've outgrown this one and am looking at alternatives. I made the paint and tool shelf part from various scraps of wood and like the desk itself, it's been through several upgrades. Aside from having gotten a bit cramped over the years, it's a very friendly place to work, and to me, that's the most important thing. My workspace has to be inviting and fit like a comfortable shoe, and this one does.

The main source of light is a pair of 48" flourescent tubes mounted overhead (behind the stained wood you see at the top of the photo). The light "enclosure" also serves as a shelf for models above.

By the way, it's almost never this organized or tidy.....

now thats a nice set up! Thanks for thr inspiration!

Drew from S.C.

[Mark Brown]

Thanks, Drew! Here's a few more shots of the lair that I just took this afternoon.

Some kits and the bins where larger spare parts live....

A closer shot of the bins - bodies, seats, interior, chassis, tires, etc - most everything but engine stuff and wheels stays here

Ongoing projects - way too many of them

Tools and more spare parts.....

Parts and stuff......

I never really cared for the round organizers so I made this square one from desktop pencil holders and a lazy susan (the flat deal that lets it spin around, though I almost never rotate it). It's probably the most useful desktop item I've come up with - I use it constantly.

[Mark Brown]

And one last shot (I promise!) of the actual work area.

[ARTEMIS1759]

Here's a few photos of my setup.

Main work area:

The Sterlite drawer cabinet holds a lot of my tools & can be found at Wal Mart, Target & the like.

Next set of photos is my attempt to organize my paint, something I'm going to get back to:

Again the plastic shelving can be found at Wal Mart, etc.

The drawer cabinet is usually found in housewares, & the shelves in hardware.

Yep also at the PX for my fellow military folk. I know we got the stuff comin' out of our ears here in Kosovo.

[coolcar429]

here is what i got

[DrewCfromSC]

Thanks, Drew! Here's a few more shots of the lair that I just took this afternoon.

Really nice set up. Guess ive got to learn to shrink down. Restored real cars for years and just gotta think small! Thaks for sharing these photos.

Drew from S.C.

[AzTom]

Here's my set up. an 10' kitchen counter top on two cheap tool boxes. I added a 4in deep shelf to set on top of the back splash.

AzTom

[Mark Brown]

Here's my set up. an 10' kitchen counter top on two cheap tool boxes. I added a 4in deep shelf to set on top of the back splash.

AzTom

That's a killer idea, Tom! The toolboxes have lots of great drawer space, they're stout enough to easily hold up all the workbench stuff,, and they come with the cool automotive vibe. Outstanding. Where'd you get the toolboxes and how cheap were they? I think you've given me the idea I need to finally put to use the 4' x 7' solid door I've been saving for a new bench.

[MikeMc]

Sears workbench in a closet...2 F40CW bulbs above hanging, Magnifying lamp ,comfy chair now, Back bench cut out from a house remodel

[ROY AVERY]

TOM, I DID THE SAME THING BUT USED 2 BATHROOM VANITIES FROM THE HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE

[crazyjim]

That's a nice work area, Mark. I like organized!!

[DrewCfromSC]

Thanks everyone! Im heading out tomorrow to look for some stuff at yardsales. Scored some stuff at work today in the old we dont use it racks and pegboard area! Thanks and keep it going!

What you all like about lighting? Floresent or regular if Sun not avalible. How about one of those cool magnifyer lamps?

Drew aka Shootennany in S.C .

[Mark Brown]

Thanks everyone! Im heading out tomorrow to look for some stuff at yardsales. Scored some stuff at work today in the old we dont use it racks and pegboard area! Thanks and keep it going!

What you all like about lighting? Floresent or regular if Sun not avalible. How about one of those cool magnifyer lamps?

Drew aka Shootennany in S.C .

I tried one of those magnifier lamps for about ten minutes - didn't work for me at all. It was mostly in the way. However, I couldn't work without magnification and highly recommend MagEyes, which you can get at Hobby Lobby. They also sell different lenses (higher magnification) and I would be lost without my MagEyes with the 7x lens. Without question, my most indispensible tool.

http://www.mageyes.com/Hobby.htm

[CAL]

this should work for most practical purposes.

I built another bench and moved the machine shop to the back.

[crazyjim]

Very nice, George. I like organized as much as I like SHINY. Question though. What happens if you get another color?

[Greg Pugh]

Wow! That's nice!

[Tony-442]

I've probably posted this before on another thread, but I thought it might be relevant. I've used many different setups over the years, but I haven't found anything I like better than a good old office desk. The combination of large work surface and good drawer arrangement has worked well for me, though I've outgrown this one and am looking at alternatives. I made the paint and tool shelf part from various scraps of wood and like the desk itself, it's been through several upgrades. Aside from having gotten a bit cramped over the years, it's a very friendly place to work, and to me, that's the most important thing. My workspace has to be inviting and fit like a comfortable shoe, and this one does.

The main source of light is a pair of 48" flourescent tubes mounted overhead (behind the stained wood you see at the top of the photo). The light "enclosure" also serves as a shelf for models above.

By the way, it's almost never this organized or tidy.....

Very nice work space Mark. I wish I had the room to have a sprawled out set up, but we turned our basement into an appartment for extra income. Click the link to see my post in Work Bench Saturdays.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24630&st=528

Tony

[Dr. Cranky]

Some beautiful benches! Great models on the shelves too.

[GTMust]

Paint storage takes up a lot of shelf........ or workbench space. Here's an idea that I use that may work for you.

I found a discarded computer desk beside the road, which had a hanging, sliding shelf under the worktop. A couple of screws held it in place. I removed it and screwed it under my side table in the hobby room. It could be screwed under your workbench, but you'd have to move your chair back to use it.

When not in use:

and when I need to get at my paints or other accessories, it's right beside me........

Best of all.... it was free!!!!