Developing a new modelling room

[BarryW]

Thanks Laurie. You have some great displays and a nice workspace.

You make a good point about a window and dust but you do need good ventilation so there is a balance.

I am planning a large enough build area to give me plenty of build space with my HobbyZone modules surrounding it. I will have a spraying area separate away from my build area. I will have to vent through the window, which will need to be open a crack while I spray. I will minimise blown on dust by how I position the booth and I will vacuum regularly, certainly before I spray.

In theory I am fortunate in that I will have fresh sea air relatively free from dust and pollen. I say in theory because there is a fair bit of development going on in the Port currently (that will actually benefit me!) so I do expect some dust from that. There is the main access road to the Docks nearby but that is the opposite side and not right up close so any pollution from that should not be blown in and, anyway, prevailing winds tend to be from the sea.

As for light, you are correct but I will make sure I have plenty of task lighting in the right positions.

Been busy ordering broadband today and have been looking at options to buy an ‘off the shelf’ workbench solution rather than book a carpenter and wait for him. It does look as if there is a good option. No decisions on that yet as I will need to check measurements ‘in situ’.

[BarryW]

To give a better idea of what I am aiming at here is a picture of what I had in my garage.

[ATTACH]431642[/ATTACH]

You can see that the overall ‘internal’ width between inner Hobbyzone modules is 120cm, each module being 30 cm wide, the corner modules then give an extra 15cm each side of the three centre modules.

The depth of the workspace is important as well of course and the picture gives you an idea of what that is, without measuring it looks like about 50cm or so. I found that this amount of space is enough for large scale aircraft. I also intend to still have a turn to my right., as now and of a similar or even larger size as a useful space to place components during a build.

That means that overall I want a bench of at least 160cm wide (a bit extra to allow light fittings). A depth of at least 70cm as well is needed.

For scale you can see my A2 cutting mat on the bench which is around 60cm wide and about 42cm deep.

For the spraying area I want a little more space than you can see in the photo. Currently being right next to where I sand models is not the best of arrangements, convenient as it is. I am a bit more flexible about how big that area will be.

That gives you some idea of what I am after.

I have found on-line an L shaped office desk lay-out of the right size for the bench that may do the job. It’s a lot cheaper than getting a carpenter in, quicker too. We will see.

[Guest]

Very nice Barry. You are neater than I am mine is a bit rugged.

Window, mine is at the end of the room, the work top the other with
the spray booth shielding the work top. I do however every morning
dust down with a window spray which keeps it near 100% dust free.

Builders. Leading a group of residents. Complained to the Contractor,
building 400 flats opposite, we getting excessive from the dust from
the works.

Answer from French Contractor.
"If you will live close to the sea (50yds away) you can expect a lot of dust"
I sent him a present of one of our Jersey fish species a large Spider Crab.
apparently they are short of them.

With a 3000 mile fetch west to the Americas I suppose a lot of dust can
be collected by the wind on it's way to Jersey. :tired:

Bizarre, Barry, I believe you will also be subject to dust from your French
Neighbours across the Channel :tears-of-joy:

Laurie

[BarryW]

Like I said, Laurie, in theory. It has to be cleaner than being in the middle of a town though!

[Guest]

Like I said, Laurie, in theory. It has to be cleaner than being in the middle of a town though!

If it is windy I pull down the venetian blinds (£8 each plastic B & Q)
Turn the blades partially up not reducing light. They will collect
for you the dust .

[Andy the Sheep]

Barry,
I'm following your project with interest. :smiling: :thumb2:
A lot of smart and ingenious solutions have been already published in the thread "Show us yours...again" so I'm not going to post pictures of my workspace again (not meaning mine is among the smart ones, neither among the ingenious ones :rolling: ).
I just add that I opted for a white "kitchen style" working desk sustained by but not linked to two drawer sets of Scandinavian (and DIY) design; the reason is that in case of "severe accident" with solvents, glue, paints or sharp tools, a new surface will be cheap and easy to replace.
I final note: the evolution of my hobby room is a living project, the budget, which is a living project of his own :money-face:, is the limit and the term "completed" is related only to that specific "version" (I reached the Mk IIa ... but in the old thread you will see the Mk II :tongue-out3.
Enjoy your endeavor and my best wishes for your move.:smiling3:

Andrea (who is still trying to complete the move to our new home...).

[BarryW]

If it is windy I pull down the venetian blinds (£8 each plastic B & Q)
Turn the blades partially up not reducing light. They will collect
for you the dust .

Ah,I know what you means about Venetians, real dust collectors, as are models…. I have a former client who runs a blind company, he will fit new blinds for me. I expect only to have the windows open a minimal amount while spraying and he will advise me what will work best given the window opening style that I have.

[Guest]

...a beer cooler full of real Ale. Not too cold though! Unless you drink that awful lager stuff.....

No sophistication Ron. :smiling3: New Zealand, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc just lightly chilled.

Laurie

[Guest]

L I'm lucky to have a spray booth and a photo booth permanently set up which is a bonus.
Very exciting for you. I shall enjoy seeing how it develops.
Jim

Not enough room Jim. Cannot get my bed in & separate photo booth. :tongue-out:

So hit on the idea spray booth becomes alternative photo booth. Has all the lighting. Just put a background card in place.

Laurie

[Guest]

Enjoy having that one room just for you. I got to do that a year or so ago and it's great.

Cannot beat it Jim. Happy as Larry, even Laurie, in my room, model making gazing at the news & cricket even sleeping during the night.

Also window open listening to chattering sparrows on our balcony. Pauline puts out all these dried worm things for them. Sometimes
10 of them out there gobbling the things & chatting away. Very pleasant, very nice. Great retirement life.

Laurie

[JR]

To other members of the UNTIDY BENCH CLUB, I can see both Barry and Laurie being fully paid up members of the TIDY BENCH CLUB. Whats the betting they are both on the committee.

[BarryW]

To other members of the UNTIDY BENCH CLUB, I can see both Barry and Laurie being fully paid up members of the TIDY BENCH CLUB. Whats the betting they are both on the committee.

My bench is tidy when I have finished a build and before starting the next. Otherwise, not so tidy, but I never let it get out of hand. I cannot work in a mess, it comes from a habit of having to be methodical in my 30 plus years of business.

[JR]

My bench is tidy when I have finished a build and before starting the next. Otherwise, not so tidy, but I never let it get out of hand. I cannot work in a mess, it comes from a habit of having to be methodical in my 30 plus years of business.
[/QUOTE)

I start off tidy, then chaos appears and I end up working in a very small area. When I was in business it was the same on my 8x 4 joinery bench, mind you the other parts of the workshop with machinery were clean and safe to work in. At the end I enjoy the tidy up and of course find things I'd lost.:smiling3: Drives Christine mad as she is so tidy.:fearful:

[Jim R]

I am one of those people who is very tidy, not just in my modelling but in life in general. My lovely wife puts up with me although I know I do sometimes drive her mad. Perhaps after 49 years married she simply accepts my tidiness as part of me :thinking: :rolling:
The point I'm trying to make is some people can only model in tidy, organised surroundings whilst others work in what appears to be chaos. What is true is that beautiful, detailed, well made and painted models come equally from both camps. I remember the late Simon T produced wonderful stuff working on a tray resting on his knees!!
As the French say "Vive la difference" :smiling:

Barry - no matter how much you think and plan I'll bet after a few months you'll alter/improve something :smiling5:

[Guest]

To other members of the UNTIDY BENCH CLUB, I can see both Barry and Laurie being fully paid up members of the TIDY BENCH CLUB. Whats the betting they are both on the committee.

John I am the Un-Honouary member of the International Institute for the Bench Tidy Organisation. BTO.

Bench tidy before I start work. Tidied after each operation ie putting wings together, or making props.

Try it John, if you dare, saves time, tools are in the right place, sanders in the carousel. airbrush clean.

I pull my bed out from under the Falklands diorama each night get into bed & dream of my bench tidy & clean. :tongue-out2::tongue-out3::sleeping::sleeping::sleeping::sleeping:

Laurie

Quoting Winston Spencer Churchill

“Evils can be created much quicker than they can be cured.”

Believe he had your work bench in mind John :dizzy::flushed::smiling: