Since I am currently running trains on a 4’ X 8’ sheet of plywood suspended by a folding picnic table (it’s winter, there won’t be any picnics for a while) I find doing any sort of work cumbersome since it wobbles and the track is near the edge of the plywood.
How many of you have work benches that are separate, but near your layout? What sort of construction have you used? As I get ready to actually build benchwork, I need to consider building in a maintenance area as well.
Thanks,
Darrin
A good workbench is critical to the enjoyment of the hobby. The question that needs to be resolved is “What is a good workbench?”. It doesn’t have to be big. In fact flat surfaces tend to collect far too many objects. A work surface of about 2’ x 3’ is adequate for most projects. A light colored surface like white formica and good lighting are more critical than size. A storage system that has everything logically stored and accesible makes doing work easy and enjoyable. MR has had several articles on workbenches over the years from tiny ones to custom builders entire workshop set ups. You really need to get that railroad onto a solid substrate of some kind. Any of the project railroads should give you an idea of what you should do.
I built my current workbench out of 3/4" plywood and 2x4s, and built drawers using 3/8" ply and drawer tracks from Home Depot. Over bench shelving is 1x12s and shelf brackets screwed to the walls. Power is two 15-AMP circuits and four way boxes, so I don’t have to have any power strips. Lighting is two flourescent kitchen lights and two incandescent swing arm lamps.
My last workbench was a small desk, one swing arm lamp and a power strip.
My current workbench is one of those plastic, rolling 4-drawer storage things you find at WalMart and (in my case) Target. It’s about 38" high, and has two shallow and two deep drawers that are perfect for storing stuff. I built a 2’ wide platform out of old shelving to give me a solid surface to work on (1x2s on the edges hold it in place). It’s just the right height for sitting on a bar stool and working, and it’s low enough that it rolls under the layout when I’m not using it.
I bought a folding workbench for about 30 bucks(Cdn.) I bolt a piece of plywood (leftover from the layout) on it. Portable and storable! works for me.
It also doubles as a vice for that extra set of hands!
Tony
I had an old metal desk 24 x 52 my daughter used when in high school. Since it had the square metal legs, i mounted some castors from an old shop vac and slide it under my walk around layout when not in use. …works for me…John
I currently have a workbench that is 42 inches high. I use a stool and it is a pain in the back. I am planning to build a work area that is desk height with a comfortable chair. This plan is for a bench 48X30 30" high. I will have a spur track that is at 42 inches high against the wall about 12 inches wide. When I finish projects I can check couplers, and program DCC engines.
I have also had a local sheet metal shop build a paint booth 24x18x18 and vent it to the outside.
I am looking forward to a comfortable chair to work with my modeling.
My current workbench is a microwave cart with those plastic storage boxes ( shoe box size) for tools, paints, and other stuff. Its perfect I woll it out when I need to work on something and roll it back wehn I’m done. I did some minor modifications to it ( solder iron holder, tool rack etc… I even built and mounted a wooden rack for my gallon sized shop vac.
Jeff
My workbench for all my hobbies is an old computer desk.
My workbench is 83X28 and 40" high and covered with formica (a door salvaged from a hospital demolition). It has 2X4 legs and a shelf underneath for storage. This is a comfortable height for me to stand and work. I use it for just about everything. I made it sturdy and solid so I can beat on it if necessary and it won’t budge.
My vise is mounted at one end and there is an upright about 6" high across the back to keep things from rolling off the back.
Tom
Like the layout, the workbench is still in the planning stages - but I have the top for it (24x36 inch piece of 3/4 inch plywood that was the top to a student desk) and a space assigned (the other side of the doorway from the layout). Once the layout room is more finished, the workbench goes in.
In the meantime I use an ancient steel baking tray (rims on all four sides) that can be carried to family computer desk or even the dining room table.
Jim
I went to Home Depot and found a workbench kit. It consists of steel brackets and self-tapping screws. You have to buy the 2x4s and plywood.
It has worked out very well. I made the bench 8’ wide, and got a 4x8 sheet of perfboard as a back. I used 1/4" masonite over the plywood as a smooth top that I could replace if it got too dinged up.
I have a flexible arm light with magnifying lens on a small side-table at the right edge of the bench. I plan to go to IKEA to get a couple of stools sometime.
My work bench is nothing more than an old wooden desk like you would find at a junk sale. The drawers are great for storing things I need close at hand. I placed a reading lamp where it would light up my project in front of me and mounted a small plastic tray set to the wall over the desk for screws, wheels, couplers, etc. I’m very happy with this cheap arrangement. [tup]
Now, if I could stop cluttering it with multiple projects and do just one thing at a time to completion…[:-^]
I use an old roll top desk. It has a lot of cubby holes to store stuff. To save the top a bit I use an old cutting board. It has grooves on the sides to hold stuff and works great for cutting and pasting.