Good Day Folks!
Can you all please share your ideas on building a work bench, I plan on putting it in the garage, ( I have 1/2 of a the 2 car garage for space, I will be building my 4x8 layout in this area also) and I just need a basic work area to work on the hobby. I have seen some examples searching Google, but like some other input from your experiences, you know the DO’sand Don’ts… to get me started.
A workbench is an extremely useful and personal item that could and should be used for additional home needs. You can purchase a kit at any of the home centeres that should be rugged enough for anything. For modeling I would use a solid top so no parts fall through the gaps. I would also put down a sheet of white or very light beige Formica or equivalent. under no circumstances should you put down a sheet with a pattern. I would also add some of the little cabinets with 2"x4" drawers to hold spare parts. It also should have at least one outlet for plugging in tools and a power pack for testing. This is another good use for a hollow core door with a couple of storage cabinets for support. The big question is if you will be standing or sitting when using it. If standing it should be higher so your back doesn’t tire. You will also need a good source of light directly overhead such as a flourescent shop light. A lip around the sides and back will prevent parts from leaving the bench also. 4" is a good height for that.
Thanks for the sugestions, I plan on sitting at the work bench. I am 6’1 was planning on using a stool type seat. I already have 2 outlets where the work bench is going to be.
I would add a couple things:
Make a place for a lot of little tools. You don’t need many tools to model well, but after a year or so, you will have a lot anyway. There needs to be a place to store them off the workbench or thwere will be no place to work.
I have always wanted a large work table. In the train room which is also the family dining area for holidays, I use the dining table, well covered for train work.
In the garage, which also is my wood shop, I have suspended from the ceiling a 4’x8’ plywood work table that I lower when I need it and raise on pullies when I use the space for other things. For making a lot of trees, this wholetable is filled with the makings.
There might well be a more efficient use of the space you have than a 4X8 plus a workbench. With some thought, you may be able to arrange things to allow a more engaging layout footprint and the workbench in the same or less overall space.
I have done a couple of designs for folks where the workbench area fit easily under a section of the layout, with one aisle serving both needs. Since you’ll be seated at the workbench and standing (usually) to operate the layout, this is easily accomodated.
Byron
As a workbench for light duty layout work I use an old dining room table under the layout. For modeling projects I have a roll top desk in the basement and a student desk in the family room. You want a big enough surface that you can have tool stands, parts trays, etc. easy to hand. You also want desk/work lights on the workbench - I personally like the goose neck kind, but others work well. Put one on each side of the bench to minimize shadows. Desk drawers underneath are handy for storing paints, tools, etc.
BTW that garage can get cold in the winter and hot in the summer. If you are not insulating/climatizing it, then I would try to find a place inside.
Enjoy
Paul
I went the cheap route and bought a 50 dollar walmart kit for a computer desk and used that for a bench.
It has outlived it’s useful life however, still is doing well. It is being regulated to lessor duty as a stand for DCC control equiptment.
A real workbench will be very strong and have a surface free from flaws and changes in any plane so you can build structures on it without being crooked.
Also electrical supply is a consideration. It’s not good to have the strip on the floor because if you should spill something and splash it… there is real risk for problems.
Keep a shelf above the actual work area for your stuff that is being used. It is safer to go up and away than to be down and below where things can drop down onto them.
And finally but not last, there should be sufficient work space so you can build the titanic and not have to compete with the wall, light fixture or something else that will get in the way.
I went a little higher end, and bought a workbench kit at Sam’s Club a few months ago, which includes a surface and a fluorescent light–it’s size was, I thought perfect for my model railroading uses–I’m sure you could also find something similar at other hardware or craft stores.
Jim
Prior to layout building in the basement, I am partitioning off one garage stall and appropriating an alcove at the back of it. Bench will be 93" wide, 32" deep, 32" high. 2x4 framing under 3/4" MDF. Front-edge mounted power strips on either end and four 22w round fluorescent fixtures on a dropped ceiling 50" above benchtop. Plywood back and side walls to securely mount whatever shelves and parts cabinets I re-use from previous house (which is still unsold; anyone looking for a joint in Shakopee, MN?). With retirement approaching, and many years working on HARD floors, I’m planning to do most of my work sitting…Gary
Well,
Let me give you my perspective on work benchs and shops. I have had some really nice shops in my life. But my model railroading hobby has caused me to reassess my prioirities. More room for trains is more important to me than the shop. This is a picture of my shop just a couple of months ago. Train room was through the door on the right 11 X 16. Shop was 17 X 15
After 6 months of soul searching here is what that same room looks like now.
The old shop was 20% bigger than my train room. When I worked on the trains, I was IN the train room, using some portion of the layout as my bench. So, I am expanding the train room into my shop and beyond. Now it is 17 X 43. I put my benchs and tools UNDER the layout. If I were in your shoes, I’d give a hard look at how I can build the largest possible layout with my work bench under it. And, I am building this layout so I can take it apart and move the whole thing. This is my third start over in 20 months and everything in the new layout will be portable in some manner and reuseable too.
Just my [2c]
Joe
Wow, some of you guys have some really nice work benches. I’m probably the real oddball out of the group. Mine is 4x6 1/2 inch plywood with stringers bolted to the wall studs and braced 2x4 legs on the outside edges. It’s out in a pretty big two car garage so it doesn’t take any room from having two vehicles. What makes me an oddball is that it’s 47 inches high. I like to work while standing. It just seems like I have better control over my models standing than sitting. It also gives me a lot of room underneath for shelving to store work in progress and the many boxes of kits I haven’t gotten too yet. I do have a stool that goes to 36 inches if I really want to sit down but I rarely use it. I suspect that may change with advancing age.
The one huge mistake I made was building it in the garage. Here in Alabama, the summer heat is brutal and I find myself working either at 6 am or having to take a half hour break for every 10 minutes of work I get done if I work during the day. I have a heated and air conditioned basement where the layout lives. I think if I had thought of the idea of building a partition for a work shop so it didn’t make the rest of what’s basically a rec room (pool table, air hockey, etc.) look crappy, the VP of Operations might have let me build a workshop downstairs. I guess the moral is that, no matter how nice the workshop, it’s pretty useless if you spend half your time nearly fainting from heat. [:)]
Instead of using legs for your work bench, consider using a couple 2 drawer metal filing cabinets. It gives you storage space, as well as holding up your bench. Make the top the same depth or a little deeper than the filing cabinets. With the right height cabinets, you can add a sliding drawer to hold pencils, small tools, etc. Take the drawers out and screw the top to the cabinets from the inside. This will keep the top from sliding off into your lap. I made the top of mine from 3/4" plywood, reinforced with 2 x 4s. I wanted it heavy enough to put a work truck style bench vise on it. I also put a raised lip completely around it. Yeah, try finding one of those Kadee knuckle springs after it’s rolled off onto the floor. Mine is also anchored to the basement wall. We live in “tornado alley”, and should we have to hightail it to the basement, we have a strong place to get under. I added one of those magnifying lamps that swing out of the way when not in use. Now, the hard part is keeping the darn thing cleaned off. I know it’s hard, but try to limit yourself to ONE project on your bench at a time. Some stackable inexpensive plastic totes that fit in the drawers will help keep things organized. I have my totes with:
Good Day All!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I like the idea of the one from Sams Club, but not set on it yet, I would like to build it, probably save a few bucks. I guess I failed to mention, besides using it for train stuff, I would also like a spot to build, let’s say a soap box derby car or something for the kids. Guess that means I would have to build 2 benches, which is fine with me, as I want a dedicated “hobby area” and a small wood working area. I think I need to step back and evaluate the space, as I still have “new home” wanting to do everything at once, but after living in apartments for so long and dreaming about the day I get a house and have room to do what I want, I want to make full use of the space I do have, looks like the van may have to stay in the driveway [:-^] and use the whole garage…
Below is a list of stuff I been buying for the last year or so, for the day when I was able to setup a workbench, feel free to add anything or suggestions
| Hobby Store | General Items |
|---|---|
| Hobby Knifes No.1 X-Acto | Flat tooth pics |
| X-Acto Blades No. 11 | Round tooth pics |
As a couple pictures show, I support the tool chest with drawers on wheels, and with the drawer unit on top which can be rolled to any part of the layout and in and out of the work shop area. The drawers are just the right size for modeling tools, and the bottom drawers the right size for paints and train or modeling parts. It saves me a lot of wasted steps. Keep your eye open for sales on these units, they do not cost an arm and a leg, and you don’t need the top of the line. Found mine in a sale at Sears. Good to line the shelves with drawer liner material (mat texture).
Enjoy your work shop and modeling.
Hal