I got a pretty god wife (After 4 tries) concerning shelving, and it’s all in the living room, over the TV… I’m adding another 6 shelves today… I covered up one living room window with plywood to give me a 4 foot run of shelving on that wall…
I just used brackets and lumber, mostly 1x8s and 1x12s, but I also have one about to be mounted, that measures 40 x 30… That one gets the Monogram B-29 diorama I’m working on…
The Good:
The Bad:
and the Ugly:
It gets down right awful! [st]
No bench at all, my best tools for modeling are now in a tool box that is stored under the bed. Baby due in two weeks so i’m afraid completed model output will reach a 5 year low.
Here’s some shots of my build room. I’m still tweaking some things but for the most part it’s ready to go.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10816461@N06/sets/72157626559306037/
My original thought was to paint at the desk and build at the bench, but I ended up building and brush painting on the bench and using the desk top as a storage area. Speaking of storage, there is never enough. Keep this in mind. Lot’s of drawers and small parts organizers. Also the paint bottle rack has been a huge help. I plan to add some doors to the booth so i can leave painted parts to dry over night and not worry about the cats. I also am planning on adding some type of shadow box’s along the ceiling for display purposes, still thinking that one through. I have a seperate office for displaying my toys. Lots of book shelf space in there. Maybe you could incorprate some planes into the train layout. Anyways, just some thoughts.
Oh yeah, one more thing to think about. Do you prefer to sit in a desk type chair to build or on a stool that is higher. I love the stool i have plus the bench is so much more comfortable for me to work at then the desk. I’m always leaning forward to build and this way my elbows are resting on the bench top in a comfortable way. Hope this makes sense…
Ives ( MowerMech )
Very nice room MowerMech! Well thought out and very functional. I really like the warm relaxing color. I will definitely keep in mind all that you have passed along. Great ideas and great pics.
My layout room for my HO dream layout is 15X30 with a a couple of staging tracks that will pass through my Model bulid room and transgress into another room that is 15X40. This may be Phase 2 of the layout. Not sure yet, but the design is there if I decide too take it on and expand. And being an aircraft technician and a huge aviation buff I already have planned on incorporating A/C in the layout.
I will have many drawers in the base cabinets and I plan on some shelving for display on one wall. I perfer a a seat back on my chair. Back is getting sore these days.
Thansk for everything and I may get back to you for some questions on your room at a later date. Thank
Mike
I have never owned, but rather I rent, so as a result, I have tried to keep the impact on the structure to a minimum. One thing I learned was the value of good solid bookcases that were free standing and not fixed to the structure. Build it solid and build it heavy and build it at least 12 inches deep and it will be very stable. My bookcases are all 4 foot wide creations of my own. Lower unit is 12 inches deep and features 3 shelves (4 if you consider the top) with a hutch like top section that is as long but 6 inches deep and has 3 shelves (including the top). I normally have at least the two bottom shelves covered in reference hardcovers so these things are simply not going to move without a serious earth quake (not a problem in Central Ontario).
I also like shelf units that sit on desks etc as well. Means I can re arrange freely (like I just finished doing this month ooohh my aching back too I might add).
I have built all of my furnishings though so it all has a hand made look. And out of reclaimed wood (so it also looks fugly). But all 100% solid and service friendly.
I recently modified some of my shelves to have removable secondary shelves (doubled the top Hutch units). All I did was add a board and placed supports at the ends which were attached with some serious sticky doubled sided tape. Presto 6 shelves where I had 3 previously. Not a problem as I was converting space needs meant for 35th into the space needs of 48th scale as well.
But in a hobby area, nothing is more important than the chair you sit in and the specific spot you sit at. Get a great chair and make sure you have proper foot room, and like as was mentioned, I also work on a piece of glass (I have the underside covered with white paper), as it is impervious to blemish and easy to clean off. Gives a reliable flat surface although it is a bit hard on sharp points of Xacto blades.
Gooseneck lamps are great, as well as a lot of window in the room for natural colour light (because light bulbs often have too much yellow).
Here’s a shot of my modelling area. Computer is off screen to the left. 2 Parts bins sit on top of a file cabinet, along with tackle boxes holding supplies (sandpaper, styrene). Desk drawers hold cans of paint, old instructions, old bodys, art supplies, etc. Paint & tool racks on work table. The paint booth on the right has clear doors that I drop down to enclose the area. 8 gallon compressor is below.
Ah, the basement… I prefer to call it “The Bunker”.
Been here for 22 years now…
My other room is in the finished attic and this is where I keep all the built and most of the unbuilt kits…
And this is my third room where I built all of the display cases, book cases, tables etc…
I like the set-up and I hope that it will give you as well as others something to go by.
Dang minimortar, now you just need some camo netting for that build room. Very nice.
Kevin,You have one very nice set-up here. It really inspires me to see such an interest you have in what you do and believe. My rooms will surround me in my hobby. Thanks for posting your pics and thanks to everyone. When I complete my rooms I will gladly post some pics.
Mike
Minimortar - very nice set up! One question…what is your trick for keeping the sawdust from your wood shop out of your modeling area of the basement ??
Yukontookon
I divided my basement into two rooms seperated by walls and doors. The original intent was to keep the sawdust out of the furnace but once construction started, I very soon realized that the furnace ‘room’ would make the perfect ‘Bunker’.
Tough as of late to get down to either room.
Thanks for the kind words guys.
Mike… PM inbound.