Non traditional work spaces

[topher5150]

I've been on the search for a new work space, the dresser that I'm using now is killing my back because I can't slide underneath it to use the work space. I went to the Salvation Army and saw a decent roll top desk which would have been perfect for $10 and didn't get it for some strange reason. What do you, or have you used for your creations?

[johnbuzzed]

There was a time when, do to the "smell" of the MEK that I used, I was relegated to the basement stairs... seems the smell bothered my older sister. From that, I learned that I could build just abot anywhere.

[topher5150]

There was a time when, do to the "smell" of the MEK that I used, I was relegated to the basement stairs... seems the smell bothered my older sister. From that, I learned that I could build just abot anywhere.

MOOOOOOM some one let John out of the basement again!!!!!

[Greg Myers]

I use a roll top desk. Somewhat limited bench space ,you gotta keep the projects to a minimum. But you can sit and the drawer space is nice. Depending on your available ca$h and space there are many to chose from. and the top rolls down to hide the mess.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Greg Myers

[Lunajammer]

Right now I use an old computer desk (especially messy during this shot at the end of a project). Used ones are dirt cheap and sometimes free. They're fairly compact and the sliding shelf can keep your project out of the way when you're not working.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Lunajammer

[johnbuzzed]

MOOOOOOM some one let John out of the basement again!!!!!

... ... !!!

[Ramfins59]

I've been using a roll top desk down in my basement for years and am very happy with it. Everything I need as far as tools and jar paints are within arms reach along with plenty of storage in the drawers. Here's a picture of it from a few years ago...

[Tom Geiger]

My work bench is an old hollow core door. It's wrapped in brown paper and sits on top of two old night stands that just happened to be the right height. The door was free and I had the old nightstands. On top of it you will see a yellow board and a piece of glass on top of that.

Back at my old house when I was doing renovations and had no work space, I actually built one of my best models on that board, on top of my kitchen table. It was back when I had small kids, so I'd just take the board and put it up on top of the refrigerator every night. It proves you can work almost anywhere!

[JTalmage]

I used to build on a large homemade desk before I gave it up more space years ago. My last few builds have been on a plastic folding table and I sit on a milk crate. Not comfortable.

I was for a while building in my friends basement. Only trouble was, when I felt like building something at 7pm in the evening it was an hour and a half drive just to get there... And I had a tiny desk to work on..

I now have another homemade desk in the corner. Not as big as the one I had years ago but it works. And I'm borrowing a chair until I can get a new one. But here's my current setup. It's nice to be able to get all my supplies out and not have to pack them up each time.

[Jantrix]

Something like this is generally perfect. I've been using an 8 footer for a long time now.

https://www.schooloutfitters.com/catalog/product_info/pfam_id/PFAM15062/products_id/PRO32663?sc_cid=Google_NOR-NBT3060&adtype=pla&kw=&CAWELAID=1238961313&CAGPSPN=pla

[afx]

I converted a utility closet in our basement into my work area. It's the closet that houses the water system.

[wayne swayze]

An old sewing table that my father-in-law built for my wife many years ago. I've been using it for a very long time.

[Tom Geiger]

Guys! You are hurting yourselves! I have a history of working in design and implementation of work space. I went on the web looking for a diagram for bench top space and all I could find was for computer stations. So I guess I will need to write an article someday!

The short of it is... a standard desk top should be between 28-34 inches from the floor depending on your height and seating position. My bench top is at 30" high. You need to have enough leg room under the surface to comfortably sit with your legs in front of you. The work space should have a minimum of 36" of space (side to side) for your legs. You want to work in a straight position with your model directly in front of you so you keep your spine straight. You also want to place tools you use regularly within a comfortable reach. Desk surfaces can be 24-36" deep.

You need a decent adjustable chair. Don't sit in a folding chair or kitchen type chair. Get your self a good office chair. The cheap ones found at Staples aren't that good and won't last too long. Best to find a used one at a garage sale or used office furniture store. The best name brands are Steelcase, Knoll, Herman Miller and Haworth. In short, I'd rather spend $100 on a used professional quality office chair than a Staples $99 special, for the same reason you'd buy a SnapOn tool instead of Chinese no name tools. The chair I use above is a Knoll chair on casters that I got for free when a company was moving from my office building. You want to adjust that chair's height so that your feet are out in front of you and are flat on the floor. It's best to have a chair with adjustable arms, and you want to have those parallel to your work surface to support your elbows. If the chair doesn't have good midback support, add a pillow in the small of your back.

Lighting is also important. I have good ceiling lights in my model room, but also have several lights that focus on the bench surface. The photo of my bench above has two lights, now I have three. They are all on a power strip so I just hit one button to turn them all on or off.

Take regular breaks. It's recommended to walk away for 10 minutes an hour. That allows your eyes to focus to avoid head aches, and gives your joints a break from being in the same position for too long. Walk around and stretch!

In short, if you get head aches or pain anywhere... your neck, back, legs etc. you have placed yourself in a bad position. It will only hurt you over time. When I used to do ergonomic evaluations of office space, the minute I looked at the desk setup and computer position I would tell the person where they hurt. They'd look at me like I was a psychic, but it's all in the science.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Tom Geiger

[Greg Myers]

The bottom line is, you use what is available, space and furniture.Wouldn't we all like to make a trip to IKIA with someone elses check book.

[DrKerry]

Mine is an old hollow core door with workbench type legs on it. Gives me a nice long work area....

Don't forget to look on Craigslist for your local area.....

[Roadrunner]

In my old home, I was fortunate enough to have a fairly large dedicated hobby cave. Now I work mostly from a dining room table or my computer desk, airbrushing in a corner of the basement until I can get my paint booth reassembled.

[Zarana-X]

I have a drawing table with a sheet of plaxiglass over it. Or used to. the plexiglass is gone. Its at a nice height to use a regular kitchen chair. I've used a heavy duty plastic folding picinic type table in the past. That worked pretty good, and had enough room for a small shelf at the back.

[DrGlueblob]

One major requirement for my bench is something strong enough for metal shaping with a hammer. I use small anvils and stuff can't be bouncing around on the desktop when I'm getting my hammer thang on.

[southpier]

The bottom line is, you use what is available, space and furniture.

true, and when you modify things to accommodate your body and its needs, you'll feel a heckuvalot better after a rainy sunday afternoon at the bench. just because a thrift store or sidewalk salvaged chair or desk is configured a certain way doesn't mean it can't be changed. legs can be shortened (chair or table - not modeler's!), cabinets, too, or built up higher. ergonomics, light, & ventilation can go a long way towards making building comfortable.

[forthlin]

I've been using an old kitchen table in my bedroom for over 20 years. It's fairly big so I've got some room to work.

[ZTony8]

When the dealership body shop my now ex wife worked at closed up,she got two good sized office desks and a good quality office chair out of the deal.I use one of the desks and the chair for my model building.

[espo]

I would go back and get the old roll top, that's what I've used for many years and served me well. Another thought if you are at all handy with wood work is to build your own. As some of the others have mentioned there are many sources for tops. As a suggestion I did something you might consider. My wife wanted a work bench to do stained glass. I went to Home Depot and got a couple 4x4s and a sheet of 1" 4x8 board. I can't remember what it was called but it is very smooth and I think its some type of compressed wood product. You could use plywood just as well. I cut the 4x8 sheet to 7 feet length, but this was because of the room I had to work with. I ripped a 1 ft. strip off the length and used that as a back board on which I mounted electrical out lets and to keep stuff from dropping down behind the bench. The 4x4s were cut to matching lengths for legs and used 3 1/2" wide 1/2" thick board to tie the legs to each other and give them more stability and support the top. I also put a shelf on about 1/3 of the area under the top for storage that also made the legs more ridged. Your only limited by your imagination and of course money.

[topher5150]

I would go back and get the old roll top, that's what I've used for many years and served me well. Another thought if you are at all handy with wood work is to build your own. As some of the others have mentioned there are many sources for tops. As a suggestion I did something you might consider. My wife wanted a work bench to do stained glass. I went to Home Depot and got a couple 4x4s and a sheet of 1" 4x8 board. I can't remember what it was called but it is very smooth and I think its some type of compressed wood product. You could use plywood just as well. I cut the 4x8 sheet to 7 feet length, but this was because of the room I had to work with. I ripped a 1 ft. strip off the length and used that as a back board on which I mounted electrical out lets and to keep stuff from dropping down behind the bench. The 4x4s were cut to matching lengths for legs and used 3 1/2" wide 1/2" thick board to tie the legs to each other and give them more stability and support the top. I also put a shelf on about 1/3 of the area under the top for storage that also made the legs more ridged. Your only limited by your imagination and of course money.

That's what I want to get, a roll top, wish I didn't pass on that

[Mike_G]

My workspace is a converted closet- I use an old steel office desk I got for free

[torinobradley]

I have a closable computer armior. It has separate top and bottom doors that have drawers (bottom) or shelves (top) built in. I mounted a florescent light on top, a swivel magnafier light on the desk portion and magnetic tool strips on both door shelves. With the bottom open, my chair slides perfectly under it and with all the shelves, I keep plastic containers full of my tools and paints along with whatever kits I have been working on. Also have a corkboard area on both sides of the doors and a dry erase board for reminders, etc.

After all that, I can shut and lock it to keep the kids/grandkids/animals out of my very sharp, small and delicate tools and caustic chemicals.