datter
Bronze Member
Posts: 12
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Post by datter on Feb 16, 2016 16:55:04 GMT -4
Hey all, I've been out of the hobby for over two decades and now that I am wading in again I want to start off in a good direction so step one is, improve my workshop. I'm looking for any thoughts about the space you build in and what, if anything you would change about it. I live in a townhouse in Bedford which has a nice mudroom that opens to the backyard. It had gotten quite cluttered (as these sorts of spaces do) but I'm in the midst of banishing most non-essential things and reclaiming it as a work area. At the moment I have a large angle top workbench suitable for drafting etc in there but I obviously need some sort of flat surface to build on, so I started cobbling together some ideas for a DIY workbench that takes advantage of the space I have available. I'm a 3d animator/modeler type by trade so I thought it would help if I threw together a quick 3d layout of the room and then see how I could fit a workbench in there, along with what I already have. Here's where it is at the moment... Notes: - View is from the entrance door to the mudroom. You can just see the open door to the right of the image.
- The pine looking bench below the window is what I am intending to build.
Backboard could be used as a tool wall, or even with small shelving.
- The green bench to the left is the angled bench mentioned above that I have already.
- The sink is pre-existing and not movable.
- The door to the right of the window opens outward into a small furnace room, suitable for storage. I gave the proposed bench an angle on that end to allow for easier entry into the room.
- The door to the left (which actually has a window on it in real life) opens inwards and leads to the back yard.
- Behind the entrance door is a large five level shelving unit for tools, parts and such.
- There is a Corsair on the bench because hey, why not.
A workbench of this sort gives me a surface area of about 5 to 6 feet long by about 2 feet deep. The height (in this render) is approximately is about 3.5 feet or so. I think this will allow for a good standing work area, and I'll get some sort of barstool so I can sit when needed. I'm trying to make the best use of this space and take advantage of the natural light of the window at the same time. The fluorescents above it in the image don't exist yet, I'm just thinking it might be good to have more lighting in there.
What does your workshop look like and are you happy with how it's laid out? Any thoughts on what I am considering building here?
Thanks for any feedback,
David
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daver
Members
Posts: 2,268
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Post by daver on Feb 16, 2016 18:06:10 GMT -4
First of all, dude, what are you thinking? It's a workshop! It should be knee deep in balsa dust, tools everywhere, 8 different projects on the go, spilled paint and epoxy dripping off every surface! lol Oh, and with our club, we do chuck a lot of shit, so figure you might as well get used to it now. I honestly thought at first glance that those were photos! You obviously know your trade. If you want to combine your job skills, with aviation, go see Christine Hines, at the Shearwater Aviation Museum, and show her what you can do. They get grants all the time for presentations, interactive displays, etc. You'd be busy, and much loved!
Now for serious stuff. Workbench that you can walk around, is ideal. Like a kitchen island. I'd recommend a rectangular island on wheels, that lock. You can have it out in the middle of the room, then when you're done, roll it up against the wall. You'll have to visit our shops. We have 4 building tables, which only get used for smaller stuff, and for piling stuff onto. Our big island work table, is where it all happens. No matter what size building table you make, it's a guarantee that your next project won't fit on it, something will be too wide, or hang over too far. For doing weight and balance on even a .40 sized airplane, your suggested table wouldn't work where it is. Also, as the owner of the largest balsa dust factory in Dartmouth, I can tell you I'd kill for all enclosed storage units, with weather stripping around all the doors, and a positive locking system, to keep the damn dust out. We're renting, so options are limited, and we've resorted to buying lots of cheap, clear plastic bins, and store as much as possible in them, to keep the dust out. Other things to look at, a charging station, area for covering, etc. If you haven't already gone to RC Canada, sign up for it, and take a look at all the forums, you'll be wading through them for days, but there's a search function, you can look up "workshop ideas", and probably find a raft of cool ways to setup a shop. Our shop, is the example of how to guarantee a shop that always looks like a balsa bomb just exploded! lol
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daver
Members
Posts: 2,268
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Post by daver on Feb 16, 2016 18:09:42 GMT -4
Oh, and good choice by the way, of a Corsair. Hmm, I happen to have one for sale, and a pair of F-4 Phantoms, and.. . . lol Just wanted to add, a variety of lighting, that you can control, plus an adjustable desktop lamp, are essential. Often when you're working on a project, no matter how you've setup the fixed lighting, it's in the wrong place, and you're blocking it with your head. Or your spouse is trying to figure out what you're doing, and she blocks all the light with her head (not saying that's you Leeann, oh love of my life and master fibreglasser!)
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Post by Dennis on Feb 16, 2016 18:58:29 GMT -4
First of all, dude, what are you thinking? It's a workshop! It should be knee deep in balsa dust, tools everywhere, 8 different projects on the go, spilled paint and epoxy dripping off every surface! lol Dave, I have that exact same workshop, LOL , with planes hanging everywhere. Dennis
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datter
Bronze Member
Posts: 12
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Post by datter on Feb 16, 2016 19:00:17 GMT -4
Oh hell, something on wheels is a great idea. I should have thought of that. I'll definitely look into that and also rccanada to see what I can find. Last time I did all this I had a stable bench in a corner, similar to what is in my renders up there though come to think of it, there were plenty of times I cursed it and ended up working on the kitchen table. As for the rest, thanks for the comments. I will definitely get in touch with Christine Hines just to let her know I'm alive and available. I make a living doing freelance work so I do appreciate you mentioning that. I'd definitely be interested in contributing in whichever way. Time to go research workbenches.... and airplanes... and new developments since "the old days"....... gah
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Post by coyote on Feb 16, 2016 19:27:21 GMT -4
Way too clean!!!!
For work bench, you could use the two desk as workhorse benches and join them with sheet of solid plywood - as long as it's all level.
As a side note, I'm surprised Dave has not self combusted, he's always covered in balsa dust and his lungs must 50% balsa dust filled!
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daver
Members
Posts: 2,268
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Post by daver on Feb 16, 2016 19:50:58 GMT -4
I'm actually surprised myself, especially being a smoker, that I haven't lit up and exploded. Hmmm. . . . .
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cf105
Gold Member
My airplane is balanced, so I don't have to be...
Posts: 130
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Post by cf105 on Feb 16, 2016 22:58:36 GMT -4
About lighting... I've recently switched all the bulbs in my shop to Philips LED's. They make a "100w equivalent", "Daylight" and it's the next best thing to have the sun in the room. The upfront cost is high, but they're supposed to last 10+ years.
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raptor
Bronze Member
Posts: 31
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Post by raptor on Feb 17, 2016 8:09:56 GMT -4
Well just a note , I find that a peg board is a real necessity and a bunch of empty plastic containers to put junk in
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Post by johnf on Feb 17, 2016 8:58:03 GMT -4
Datter, don't let Dave in your work area. He has already built a full size Hurricane in his garage. That plane can be seen at the Shearwater Aviation Museum. His wife did a fantastic job of painting the fabric covering. It is now finished. There are others in this club that work off the dinning room table, much to the unamused wife. Being a neat freak is not an option in this hobby.
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Post by J-G on Feb 17, 2016 9:50:55 GMT -4
I find that I need more shelving so everything is easily stored and in reach...
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daver
Members
Posts: 2,268
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Post by daver on Feb 17, 2016 11:21:08 GMT -4
SO, for you Jean-Guy, that means 3 foot high shelves. Gotcha. Does your mega limited edition, with supreme case DX9 get a shelf, or it's own room? Yes, I'm that bored at work today! lol
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Post by J-G on Feb 17, 2016 11:31:05 GMT -4
Do you have a phone at work yet? Hey, at least I don't have my radio in my signature block...
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Post by coyote on Feb 17, 2016 11:41:11 GMT -4
It appears that JG's significant other has found more uses for the "sexy all-black super expensive uber Spektrum DX9" than JG has JG only uses it to control his 3 RC planes plus his sim, but Jen uses JG's DX9 for a whole bunch of things around the house. She apparently uses it to have JG mow the lawn, take out garbage, wash vehicles, shovel driveway, manicure her toes, wash the dishes, clean kitty litter, do the laundry, etc (the manly list goes on). How does she do it with a DX9? Well apparently, if JG does not do these "manly" tasks, Jen apparently threatened to remove the "sexy all-black super expensive uber Spektrum DX9" from its very nice protective case and "accidently" drop it from the second floor window! I hope other spouses don't pick up on it...then again, I only have the el cheapo version
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Post by J-G on Feb 17, 2016 12:03:11 GMT -4
Wow. You guys are starting to aim below the belt...
Don't be haters...
Peace!
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Post by coyote on Feb 17, 2016 18:49:34 GMT -4
LOL!
I thought it was pretty creative writting
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daver
Members
Posts: 2,268
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Post by daver on Feb 17, 2016 22:23:43 GMT -4
Marc, that was a masterpiece! Kudos, and I think we all owe you a coffee for such a great work of prose!
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cf105
Gold Member
My airplane is balanced, so I don't have to be...
Posts: 130
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Post by cf105 on Feb 18, 2016 14:24:59 GMT -4
Geez, I pity anyone that shows up at Shearwater with Jeti Tx!
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Post by J-G on Feb 18, 2016 14:49:22 GMT -4
So much for keeping this about workshops... Can't keep anyone on target.
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Post by coyote on Feb 18, 2016 16:17:31 GMT -4
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