Rick’s new work space - tips and ideas needed please.

[rickoshea52]

Earlier this year we had a new kitchen fitted and I was able to salvage some of the old units, worktop and spare bits from the new one to create a new work space in the garage. I have some way to go as you can see but I wanted to ask for some tips on maximising space, the layout of the work areas and any other general husbandry ideas. In time I will fit an MDF panel on the brick wall, along the back of the worktop and at the end; under unit strip lights and a power cable extension.
How to you keep your workspace organised, lit, clean and laid out in a comfortable layout.
There are loads of mancave threads already I know but I want tips and ideas please, if you have a photo of an idea then please post it.

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Any ideas to organise the wall units?
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Many of my brushes, abrasive sticks etc are in old pots.


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The drawers will make ideal tool storage, I thought about cutlery trays for these but I’m not convinced.

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The compressor might be better hidden in the base unit and I definitley need to put in a power socket somewhere.

[Gern]

Cutlery trays in the drawers does help - if only to keep your knives separate from your files. That will help stop both the blades and your fingers from nicks and dents! They will also help keep the grades of your sanding sticks separate, and your plastic strips could be sorted into flats, rounds, tubes etc... You could probably get them from your local pound shop so no major expense.

A cheap flourescent strip light mounted underneath the cupboard units will also help - even though you have a light. Where your units are, you will be casting a shadow on the bench.

You could go and spend a fortune on the small storage units available, but it's been my experience that you will always have some bits which will not fit any of the drawers or shelves, or you'll have too many of one kind of item to fit any space so you will need to keep them in two drawers!

Any old boxes/trays/pots/jam jars etc. will do fine - and they're usually free!

My main workbench is an old computer desk. With a few additional home-made shelves and a cheapo desk organiser, I've got most of what I use regularly within easy reach. My paints are kept in old computer keyboard boxes on the slide-out drawer originally meant for the keyboard.

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I confess to clearing away all the junk (part painted/built sub assemblies, paint jars, brushes, cotton buds, tools) that normally sit there!

[PaulTRose]

are you going to vent the spray booth anywhere?......otherwise you are just recirculating the fumes/etc

[PhilJ]

Bit jealous, would love a cave. Definately next property for sure.
One thing I would do is if your like me I like to tinker with my pressures when spraying depending on what I'm spraying and with what A.B. so putting the compressor in a cupboard sounds like a good idea but could be a bloody pain in the arse. If I was to do it ideally I would want a separate bigger tank in the cupboard with a line to the desktop or maybe just underneath where the reg,filter and connector would be placed. Something a bit like this bit maybe/hopefully neater.

[rickoshea52]

are you going to vent the spray booth anywhere?......otherwise you are just recirculating the fumes/etc

Yes, there is a vent hose, I just haven’t installed it yet as I am still tinkering on positions for all my kit.

[Guest]

A suggestion for your paints- I recently bought a paint rack made by ammo Mig. I suggest getting four of these and mounting them in your wall.

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/latest-acquisitions.8647/page-335

Cheers, John

[rickoshea52]

A suggestion for your paints- I recently bought a paint rack made by ammo Mig. I suggest getting four of these and mounting them in your wall.

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/latest-acquisitions.8647/page-335

Cheers, John

Thanks John. I have one of these already for my Vallejo paints and could use more.

[dave]

An alternative to cutlery trays, for a work desk I got a series of interlocking modular trays. They come in a variety of sizes and were cheap. I am trying to remember where I got them.

[Ian M]

Ikea sell some rather good Plastic Draw thingies. I have some built up as towers on wheels but I bet you could get a good few in those units.
If you are more to wood they do a good range og Bamboo things. have a hunt in their Office section..
Lights under the cupbords are a good idea as they kill the shadows.

[rickoshea52]

Under cabinet lights fitted and tested. The spray booth extractor has had a hole cut in the back scene to route it through and off to atmosphere. The London Underground train destination blind needs to be attached to the wall and the power sockets location finalised and cable routed.
Getting there.

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[Tim Marlow]

Hi Rick
I would go with the compressor in the cupboard as long as the ventilation is up to it. It will keep it far quieter for you in use. You can eliminate the issue regarding access for pressure adjustment by running it on a high pressure and putting a filter regulator upstream by the airbrush to adjust spraying pressure. If you get one of those bench stands that clamp on they have a circular hole to fit one into. Just remember to vent the moisture out of the lower one at the end of the session...
Nice space by the way :smiling2:
Cheers
Tim

[Guest]

Re venting extractor.
1) Every 90deg bend will reduce airflow by 25-50%
2) do not exceed the air stall distance of the fan (usually 2-3m)

[Guest]

Looking good Rick .
All takes time to figure out places, I got some magnetic strip tool holders, quite cheap. They are about 3O cms long and hold all my tools where I can see them without getting mixed up . Also think you need as much light as possible, so with painting daylight bulbs are a must. Paint the walls a light colour all helps . You will be having such fun setting this up :thumb2:
John.