Ideal Work shop

[gtw4633]

Hi guys, I'm getting ready to remodel my room and I'm looking for ideas on what tools are incredibly handy to have that aren't necessaily beginners tools. But are really nice to have. I'm gonna try to get a paint booth in, only going to be able to waterbased indoors but thats ok, My biggest obstacle to overcome is that I have to keep everything I need in a small area, Currently I work on a computer desk but thats pretty cluttered plus my 17" laptop takes up a lot of real estate and I have almost no storage for parts or tools. Part of the reason I don't do as much custom work as I do is I don't have any where to work. Being that I also want to build a layout I also would like to have a fair amount of space to work on structures and everything else. If you could have 8x10 space to do a good multipurpose workshop. What would you have and how would you lay it out? Thanks

[icghogger]

Jay, you really don't need a lot of space, but the layout of the space is critical. My work area is about 2 feet square, while the actual working space is about 18 inches square. It works for any size project in HO and if I need to use the jeweler's lathe, it fits perfectly in the spot with room to spare.

However, the most important thing for any work area is the lighting. Personally, I have three, one overhead and one on each side of my work surface. When weathering or decaling, you will find the extra light helps better define what you are doing. My worktop is also movable, so I can rotate the surface to bring my permanently-mounted vise into play and I use a self-healing mat surface on the worktop for cutting chores.

The next most important thing is to organize and eliminate the clutter where you work. Small boxes to one side of the work area catch scraps and cut-offs, leftover parts, etc. I keep all of my projects (with their associated bits and pieces) in plastic compartmented boxes that are about 6X12 in size, so I can move from one to another without a lot of fuss and clean-up chores. Work on developing the habit of placing sharp objects to the top of your work area (so you can keep an eye on them, and they are less likely to injure you if they are in plain sight). Placement of your small hand tools should favor your dominant hand and should be to the right or left side of your worktop. I use holders (desk trays) to keep them from moving away from my work area and have triangular pencil holders on the handles of stuff with sharp edges that can roll around and stab me. My small power tools are mounted on a rolling cabinet for quick and easy placement next to my worktop as needed.

All of my painting, parts cleaning, heavy cutting or machining and grit blasting (the really nasty, stinky stuff) are all done outside in the garage. Not the best alternative, but it keeps the peace. If it's too hot out there, I wait until the sun goes down and turn on the fans. Cools me off and keeps the skeeters away, too!

I'm sure everyone has different and better ways, so I keep my options open to change, just in case!

Good Luck! ;D

[Raeder]

One thing I've seen done is a tube from a vent behind your work surface to the blower on the air booth. This sucks those nasty glue fumes away from your eyes and nose! Also works good on solder/flux smoke.

One other suggestion I would make is a seris of shelves above a work desk. Having one at mid-chest height when you are sitting is good for watching motors and drivetrains running, while having another shelf at head height is great for close up inspection or operational observation.

Here is a shot of my workbench.


If you want to get a little more up close and personal, there is a larger size image here:
i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/Raeder/Random%20Stuff/WorkArea004.jpg

I am living in a one bedroom apartment, so all I really have is a corner to contain my work area. Still, it works quite well!

Kevin