I had noticed recently that I was unwilling to spend more than a half hour in the basement working on models recently. Could it be simple abject laziness, so inherent to my generation? Nah, it was just the fact that it was damn cold.
My basement is not heated, we idle the oil furnace for the winter, and prefer to have it ready for backup to our pellet stoves if needed. That means my (current - the future one is under construction) hobby space drops to the mid -50’s for the winter and stays there. Not too welcoming.
I’m unwilling to spend the money to heat it, so I decided to approach a different tact. What if I could bring my hobby work upstairs?
I have a couple of obstacles, the first being I don’t want to damage furniture or floors. The second (and third) have 4 legs and too much curiosity.
Addressing the first, I assembled what is nothing more than a simple tray. Basically 2’x2’, this was the maximum width I could fit up my basement stairs with me holding the sides; the depth was because the table saw fence was already in place. I did, however, want space in the back for my light, and (future) tool storage.
I constructed it of 3/4 inch birch plywood, from remnant of a piece I had from an old furniture project. I wanted the tray durable, and heavy duty. The handles were free cut with a router so they’re not perfect, and all edges sanded down. I used just 1 1/2 inch wood screws to hold the side and back rails (each 4 inches tall) to the base, all are inset just enough to not catch on a flat surface. I’m not thinking on stain or paint at this time as it will just get messed up from modeling, but the bottom will get a glued felt application to keep it from scratching table surfaces.
Paint it green and I’ll see if I can find a CV logo ( [:D] ) for you to slap on it. I might know where there are a few hidden around [:-^]
My appologies for not catching up with you while I was working at an away terminal. Job kept getting cancelled so I ended up getting sent home a few times mid-week. Didn’t end up with much free time once the ball got rolling down there.
PS: Wanna build a second? I think it would make a great tutorial for MR… Simple, easy, and useful.
A second tray? I could, I have enough mats left. Before that, though, is adding a tool caddy to the back. I hope to work on that this weekend in between clearing snow. I’d also definitely need to work up a different design for the handles. I think most folks have access to a saw, but routers may be a bit more uncommon among modelers…
No worries on the missed meet, I’m not going anywhere. Just give me a shout when you find an opportunity.
Per the beast(s), their "help " is exactly why I wanted a tray. When done, it goes back into the Cat-Free-Zone also known as our basement, and out of reach.
Yes, but I’m thinking that I need to limit myself. I’d like to get into the habit of “recharging” the project on the tray, emptying it each time I’m done and than reloading it, but odds are that’s too ambitious for me. [;)]
My “tool caddy” is an old Tupperware box. Like you, I made a 2’ x 2’ tray to carry into the house - my garage is a real freezer. Just put your basic tools in the caddy, and add/remove the extra as required.
Scarpia; I’d definitely would like to see a tutorial on that—and I do have both saw and router so some of us are kind of/sort of prepared…well sort of…
I think if your in the hobby long enough you usually end up making or buying some sort of tray. Mine is the same as yours but the sides just aren’t as high. I also bought a wooden TV tray at Canadian Tire last year so I could do some modeling while watching a hockey game or what ever on TV. I drilled 4 holes into the TV tray and inserted 4 small pieces of dowel. I then drilled 4 holes in the tray I built so I could set it down on the TV tray and lock it in with no worries of it getting bumped and hitting the floor.
I’ve used a wooden self standing tray for years now after learning the secrete form an old timer modeler that has completed most of his club’s structures for their layout using one. Even though my layout room is heated and do modeling on a desk, I still take the tray to the living room and work there on projects in the evening to be with my wife, and not leave her alone being the model railroad widow. You would be surprised how much modeling can get done and how happy the wife is.
That’s a good idea, actually. I was toying with the concept of a piece of MDF with perfectly drilled holes of various sizes, but the reality is I’ll never put tool X back into it’s perfect slot. I just don’t work that way. Having a caddy that has large holes for the tupperware, so the don’t slide in transit, might be just the ticket.
I’m kind of surprised that folks are as interested in this as they are, but I’ll assemble a second one and document the process if it helps.
It’s a cool idea. My guess is that you could write it up and earn a little money from a model building magazine. Doll house builders and static car/airplane/military modelers would probably really like it, too.
I can see this being just the ticket for painting figures while being somewhat social with my girlfriend (My train room is in a separate building from my house and she won’t come out there except for short visits). I might even be able to get her to help paint the figures.
I like your routed-in handles, but I’ll offer an optional approach for folks without a router: Attach nylon or leather straps to the sides (leather straps can be pretty cheap if you buy a used leather belt at a thrift shop). Stick-on silicone feet instead of felt will protect furniture and keep the tray from slipping when you set it on your household furniture.
One last suggestion - about your heat situation (it gets a little cool in Utah, too). I bought a Coleman infrared heater (it uses over the counter propane canisters) and I use it in my garage. $3 worth of propane will keep me warm for about 16 hours. In your basement you’d probably need less gas per hour. Be sure to follow their ventilation precautions.
Very nice. I agree with a small tray in the back of this. Kinda hold some paints, couplers, small screw drivers in place till you get where you are going.
I live in a 2 story house, and to get to the basement to the first floor I have to go up stairs. My stuff would spill every where. I belive if you wanted to sell these, adding a tray or anything in the back will help “us people with stairs”, keep there stuff on the tray. Just a idea [8D]
Whoa whoa whoa,[:)] I’m not looking to sell or make money off of these. I just thought others might benefit from my experience. If a magazine wants information on it, that’s fine, but I’m not going to pursue that course. This really wasn’t that groundbreaking I’ll just post it up where Google can find it easy enough. I’m definatly doing a back tray though.
@shayfan - I think straps or corded handles would be too flexible for this, I’d be afraid of slipping with that. I think either inexpensive drawer pulls (the bar type) or a simple door pull (like on an old fashioned screen door) simply screwed into or through the sides might be preferable for folks without a router. I’m not worrying about heating my basement at this time, as the future space already has a large gas heater installed; there’s just no insulation up there yet (over my garage). I have an electric space heater down there I run when I want to work on the layout, it’s just not convenient and takes too long to warm up for quick (car assembly) type operations. I’ll bear that in mind though.
@tatans - I have a few “discarded” cases myself - but I use them for storage, not assembly, as they stack so nicely. I’d be curious to see how you use yours for modeling.
Good point! And right now, sitting outside in the summer sounds really, really good.
I’ve decided against a tool tray along the back; I used it this weekend to assemble a few more cars, and I don’t think the tool tray is needed. Having the back open means I can stack car boxes back there to take up, have room for empty car boxes plus the base of my work light. I did add a plastic tub (from a package of mushrooms) to hold stuff, this works great for KaDee envelopes and the glue bottle. I had purchased a long time ago a foam cradle, and for simple car assembly the back groove is plenty to hold the few tools I need.
If anyone is still interested in having another one made with step by step, let me know; Otherwise I can write up some simple instructions.
