hey how is everyone??? im pretty good! im working on setting up a new work bench just for my railroad and i wanna make it user friendly. i wanna make a rack for my paint and brushes and some tools…dose anyone have any good ideas?? also one other question…im looking for an easy and some what clean way to weather buildings???i was using rubbing alchol and black paint and it works well i just want more…lol im shure you awsome people have good ideas!!!
thanks for all the help!!!
ttyl brian
As for the paint brush and tool storage, MR had a workshop article some time ago about using 2" foam board glued to a piece of plywood for tool storage. Just poke holes into the foam and stick you tools and brushes in.
I only use my workbench for weathering, but the design could be adapted for whatever you want to do. Its a simple 3X8 table with a small shelf supported by paint cans.
Here are a few powders and paints, as well as a pile of “practice cars”. I just store all my brushes in a cup. (sorry about that awful picture of the steam engine, the wheels almost look solid and the rust looks one color[xx(])
Here are a copule cups of clean water, some washes, a power strip for electricity. And some work in progress. That steamer is too rusty to run right? Its going to become a flat car load.(sorry about that awful picture of the steam engine, the wheels almost look solid and the rust looks one color[xx(])
And finally, a gallon of clean water, some hairspray, and a small heater for cold nights.
A workbench like this can be built in a few hours, and I am very happy with it.
JPM335
I would becarefull with that heater and those aresol cans near by. It could be the ultimate weathering job.
Be sure you’ve got plenty of power outlets on it, and given all the stuff you’ll be doing on it, GFI outlets would be a good idea. Also leave room for a computer. I know you’re thinking WHAT??? A COMPUTER IN MY TRAIN ROOM??? But some day you’ll appreciate it. They come in handy for programming DCC, and playing background music, and you can run DCC through them if you really wanted too. You definitely need a magnifying lamp, and lots of drawers underneath the bench. Home Depot or Lowe’s prefab kitchen cabinets work good for that. For a top, you can get a prefab cabinet top at Lowe’s or HD. Be careful picking you’re colors though, you want something that will hide stains, but still let you see little parts like knuckle springs and grab-irons, and stuff like that.
Good Luck,
Greg
I had worried about that. It turns out that heater doesnt get hot enough to ignite anything. It only heats the air to about 80 degrees and the filaments are not that hot (you can touch them without being burned) . Plus the heater is situated so that it actually blows fumes out into the garage and doesnt suck them through.
Have plenty of light, at least two sources to cut down on shadows. Make a place for eye protectors to sit so they are handy. I second the GFCI, especially if you’re in the basement or garage.
Enjoy
Paul
The more space you can afford, the better. I’m in the garage. Still have to wire in GFI outlets etc. That’s a test track on the left with MR mags underneath, foam storage etc.
And lot’s of those handy little storage cabs with all the small drawers in them, peg board to hang tools etc.
There are alot of things to make up a work bench:
Buy a work bench
Build one with plywood and 2x4’s
Old kitchen table
Solid door and couple of filing cabinets
Old dresser
Remeber, have good lighting, a bench vise, parts storage cabinets and empty coffee cans.
I used cylinder heads from 2 cycle engines that are no good.
Use what ever works and how much willing to spend.
Brian,
Good light and a comfortable height would be the most important things at least to me. I have pegboards up so I can hang bags of parts, wood, plastic, brass, tools and other items that I frequently use. For me it’s easier to find things this way and know when I’m out of something. I actually have two workbenches one low and one high with storage above but some how still don’t have enough space. Both workbenches are always a mess with stuff piled up everywhere. There is also a Timesaver layout over the one workbench. Besides being fun to run it’s very handy as a test track for locomotives, rolling stock and a place to pile even more stuff. The lights over the workbenches are the same as on the layout I’m building. You can see a little piece of the black shade of an adjustable desk lamp that can swing down and put a lot of extra light on something if needed. Heres a picture, hope it gives you some ideas. Bruce
I went old school with 4 free coffee mugs. 1 for brushes, 1 for knives and files, 1 for plyers and tools and 1 for pens,pencils and markers. Get one of those adjustable desk lights. Make sure you get one that takes a standard size bulb. I bought one lamp that I later found out took a $10 bulb that burns out a lot. A cheap magnifying type of lense helps too.
Hello Brian,
I use a small wooden tool box,with slide out shelves,built in. For the times I need a lot of tools,I use a magnetic strip to stick them to,instead of opening the tool box all the time.
Some thing else,you might need is a good work lamp. If your model train fund has a little extra cash,pick up a panavise. A panavise is very useful and if you can spend even a little more extra cash,pick up a dremel motor tool. But if your just starting out,you might want to stay with the small hand tools…till you get the hang of it. Oh yeah… a test track also.
I could list off a bunch more things, so that’s enough for now along with the stuff listed for other post.
Patrick
Beaufort,SC
Dragon River Steel Corp {DRSC}
Making HO scale steel by the ton!!!
I set up a user friendly workbench out of an old particle board desk…first, I glued a sturdy masonite board over the top so that my work area is perfectly level, i then installed preforated board behind the work bench so that i can hang larger tools from it…I then installed a section of test track above the workbench that goes out to the layout with a spst switch to power up the section of track when needed…I then but in one of those plastic mini drawer containers so that all my small parts and tools are available in arms reach…i then put in a surge protector with electrical outlets to drive a dremel tool, soldering iron, drill, and any other electrical tools i may need…I also put in a desk lamp because you need a lot of light when it comes to working with small parts I also put in some athearn blue boxes to hold some stuff and a plastic bin for mid size tools…the secret is to keep the work area as clean as much as possible so that a lot of stuff doesn’t accumilate on the desk at one time…easier said than done…here’s a picture of it to the right…chuck
OH BOY !!! an electrical outlet and a heater both in places where spilled water could easily get into them and cause a life threatening short . thanks for sharing the photos but please move those things !
Brian,
Looks like you allready got plenty of ideas for the work bench area, and quite few saftey updates. My idea is alittle less earth shattering but if you wat to paint, it might come in handy…
I went to the local store and bought a pair of ice cube trays. I use those when I am mixing my paints and painting. Each tray will give you 12 places for different colors, or maybe a couple for water, etc. Cheap and usually they clean very well. Good luck.
John k