Workbench Ideas

[preceng]

Hello all,

Just finished designing my new layout for my new house, and was working on the "workroom" portion of the layout. The workroom (approx 9'X9') contains some of my hidden trackwork, helix, and workbench. Last week I was playing around with the design for where to place shelving and other features, including where to place my workdesk - my trusty bottom half of a computer desk/hutch that has served me faithfully through my past layouts. Then it hit me ... I hate this crappy desk, why am I placing it amongst my new digs. With this revelation, I just finished designing a new workbench for the space that includes all the features I currently need seperate cabinets, and yes an upside down trash can w/ plywood table to function.

At any rate,  Ive included all the cool features I can think of. The new desk is an L-shaped table with lots of drawers, shelfs, and even built in elec. outlets. I got some good ideas from searching this forum, but still feel like I am forgetting something. Some feature that a scatch built MRR Desk should have...

So, I put it to you. What feature do you have at you workdesk that you could not live without, or would you have it you could do it over. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[tinman1]

Lots and lots of light to ease the eyestrain. A replacable surface suitable for cutting on.  An exhaust hood/booth would be nice as well.

[DaveInTheHat]

Here's mine. http://public.fotki.com/DaveInTheHat/my_room/

[dstarr]

Somehow, as I work, stuff builds up on the workbench surface and crowds in close and pretty soon I'm assembling a model in a clear space about 9 inches square, with the rest of the bench completely cluttered with parts and paints and tools and instruction sheets and junk.  

   So, lots of storage, a pegboard on the wall, shelves above the bench, drawers underneath.  Space for the junk boxes, the unbuilt kits, the fasteners, stripwood, styrene, glues and stickums, oils and greases.  And a test track, with a Kadee coupler gauge and track power to run in engines.  A vise.  Somewhere to hang up the bulkier tools like the chopper when not in use.  Somewhere to put down a hot soldering iron without scorching things.  A hook to hang the Dremel.    

For neatness open storage shelves always look messy.  Drawers (when closed) or storage cabinets with doors (say kitchen over counter cabinets) look better.  

Lights, more is better.  Good fluorescent ceiling fixtures, plus task lighting.  Those under counter kitchen lights and a magnifying lamp (circular fluorecent wrapped around a big magnifying lens on a spring loaded arm).  

A smooth floor with good lighting to make it easier to find dropped parts.

   

[IRONROOSTER]

Something to hang my Dremel with the flexible shaft on, such as a pole with a hook.

Enjoy

Paul

[reklein]

Ironrooster,I conned my neighbor who runs a hospital maintainece dept. To score me an IV pole on wheels works perfect. He also brought home a roll around table. Know anyone at the maint. Dept ?? Those things were outdated or a little rusty here and there and could no longer be cleaned properly.  One of those hospital bed tables is pretty handy too. You can crank em up and down or tilt em. BILL

[Geohan]

Add a couple of spring clips which would hold photographs, drawings, instructions which you could view handily.  Also rolls of paper towels and toilet tissue mounted within easy reach are very handy.

Geohan

[larsend]

Instal power strips under the front edge of the bench, off to the side.  This way the cords from tools such as the dremel tool or soldering iron do not get in trouble with stuff on the bench.

[DaveInTheHat]

 I put a window shade on the top shelf on the back of my workbench. It works great for taking pictues. Plus, if I'm going to do something dusty, like grinding, sanding or using my table saw, it keeps the dust from getting on my stuff.

 

[IRONROOSTER]

reklein

Ironrooster,I conned my neighbor who runs a hospital maintainece dept. To score me an IV pole on wheels works perfect. He also brought home a roll around table. Know anyone at the maint. Dept ?? Those things were outdated or a little rusty here and there and could no longer be cleaned properly.  One of those hospital bed tables is pretty handy too. You can crank em up and down or tilt em. BILL

 

What a great solution! Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who works in a hospital. 

Enjoy

Paul

[grayfox1119]

After several iterations, I decided to place my desk right in front of a window for excellent lighting and also for ventillation. I can sit comfortably at the desk for all kit construction or repairs. I then have a long workbench behind the desk for all stand-up work, and there are plenty of shelves above the bench and cabinets on rollers under the bench. Tracks are on the bench also for tests and programming.

I kept the layout completely seperate from this work area to maximize layout area.

[reklein]

Be careful installing couple springs in fornt of an opeen window.

[johncolley]

I would very strongly suggest you install a DPDT toggle switch with both track power and programming leads, connect it to a section of track so you can do program changes then switch and run to see if you like the change or need to change more. These are primarily for testing adjustments to various sound levels and are a real convenience. John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[preceng]

Thanks, I was able to divert a section of track over the back of the bench. Why have the test track somewhere else?

[TBat55]

1.  Cut a hole directly over the trash can so trimmings funnel in.  If you turn to the side and cut, some will always miss the can.

2.  Have a small platform for temporary storage that swings out of the way and back again.  Illuminated magnifier or telescoping telephone arm.  Really handy while paint drys (swing it back into a dust-and-draft-covered area).

3.   Overhead lighting causes shadows like your hand's shadow exacty where you don't want it. Lighting on each front end of the bench with those curly low heat flourescent bulbs helps a lot.

[MPRR]

  Those plastic or cardboard tubes that architects use for blueprints are handy for holding lengths of flex track, cork roadbed, styrene strips, and wood strips and dowels. I'm sure theres a million other uses. And I know I've seen those cardboard tubes elsewhere too.

 I would also have a small air compressor hidden underneath off the side of the bench. With the hose coming up the back to use the many tools I would like to have for the air compressor. (Would as in would dream to have)

  The peg board behind as a backing is a good idea whoever said that.

[preceng]

Thought about the trash can hole, but was concerned I would loose good stuff too? Have you not had an issue with this. Sometimes I overthink.

[bogp40]

TBat55

1.  Cut a hole directly over the trash can so trimmings funnel in.  If you turn to the side and cut, some will always miss the can.

2.  Have a small platform for temporary storage that swings out of the way and back again.  Illuminated magnifier or telescoping telephone arm.  Really handy while paint drys (swing it back into a dust-and-draft-covered area).

3.   Overhead lighting causes shadows like your hand's shadow exacty where you don't want it. Lighting on each front end of the bench with those curly low heat flourescent bulbs helps a lot.

1: I also have concern about the good parts cutting off say a sprue that I'd be picking out of the trash. My trash is to the side next to the pile of Kadee knock offs and plastic wheelsets....

2: The idea for the pull out platform is very helpful. I use 24" wide 3/4" MDF slide out (very much like the old kitchen slide out cutting boards)  This is placed just to the right of my seated work area. The only trouble is, more worksurface that can easily get cluttered.

This area is where I do quite a bit of cutting and part plcement while assembling.  I have found that that black neoprene/ foam tool box liner to be great for placing small parts. The black shows even the smallest of wire details (eyebolts, grabs, etc.) The rubber/ foam surface allows tweezers to pass the part for a good hold when picking up to place on the model. I have even cut small squares to line shallow wood parts boxes to place project parts. If project is on hold all those pieces stay in one place. Now just remember wich box goes to what project and how deep in the plie it may be........

3: The more available lighting the better. I have 2) 4 tube fluorecents and a drafting light on a swing arm for that close work. Not ready to need a lighted magnifier, "yet" but w/ my eyes that time is near....