Things we know that help, but do we do actually do them?

[Allen Dewire]

Great and interesting thread Barry! I'm a bit like Mike, but I'm single. I live in a small Flat, as you would say on the Insel, and under the roof to boot. I only wish I could have a cave or a real bench to enjoy building my kits. I work at my dining table, and it has grown into my corner of the world. I do have to move my current build so I can have my meals daily. I work with A4 mats as they are easy to move and using anything bigger wouldn't fit the space. Here's a pic of my world (Caution, not for the weak at heart),


Yes, I actually do clean it up and have some organization, but mostly when I finish the current build I'm working on. My tools are kept in the box on the right (with the clothespins on it). The paints go back in the racks where they belong as well as the glues used. The table gets a good wipe down too. Where I sit is filled with various kits, references and other stuff. It also needs to be cleaned up. On the top left is a shelf for all my bigger tools and too many plastic containers with different parts and scratchy stuff in them. I need to add a second shelf below it for more space to store them. My reference materials are in/on the stand on the floor. That too is full and I need to do something for more storage. Behind the laptop is my iPad that I use to take all the lousy pics I post. When I finish the 1/2 track build, I will do a massive clean-up and post another picture for your perusal. Yes, it looks messy, but it's nice to have everything you need at your fingertips during the build...

Thanks too Barry for the tip about the mini vacuum. Definitely need to get one of those........

Prost
Allen

[zuludog]

Hmmmm ..... I really must learn how to post photographs. Meanwhile a few comments

I work on a small office desk
lighting is 2 Anglepoise lamps with daylight bulbs
most tools, materials & paints are kept in the drawers
But frequently used tools are in a desk tidy that I scrounged off my daughter when she decided she had become too grown up for pink
The actual model constructing surface is the glass oven door off an old cooker
Generally I try to be tidy & organised & keep the desk as clear as possible, but inevitably dust, tools, etc, etc accumulate and spread, so now & again during construction I have a tidy up
Parts & sub assemblies that have been painted or glued are placed on another sheet of glass to dry
Sprues of 'raw' parts are kept in the kit box, and most trimmed/sanded parts that are ready to go are kept in a small stainless steel tray that I think was originally an ash tray.
I have a cheap, soft #8? paintbrush, squirrel or camel or something that I've had for years & years. I use it to dust models & parts as I'm working on them.
Search t'Net & YT for 'jeweller's bench' and there are various ideas for desks with drawers & racks & storage for small items
As I sit at my desk, instructions are to the left; tools are to the right; parts & sub assemblies are across the top of the actual construction area

Speaking of which, I notice from the pictures of BarryW, Allen Dewire on this Thread, and other pictures on this Forum and YouTube that the actual working areas seem quite small - I like to have more clear space.

[rickoshea52]

Proofread your thread title and posts…?

[BarryW]

Speaking of which, I notice from the pictures of BarryW, Allen Dewire on this Thread, and other pictures on this Forum and YouTube that the actual working areas seem quite small - I like to have more clear space.

The pictures are deceiving. My workspace is quite large bearing in mind that while I am currently working in 1/48, I mainly build 1/32 scale aircraft and do like to spread.

This picture perhaps chives a better perspective. My ‘work area’ in the build section in front of my chair is actually about 4ft wide by 23 inches deep, plus the ‘turn’ on the left of my seat and then there is the separate spray area.

[BattleshipBob]

The pictures are deceiving. My workspace is quite large bearing in mind that while I am currently working in 1/48, I mainly build 1/32 scale aircraft and do like to spread.

This picture perhaps chives a better perspective. My ‘work area’ in the build section in front of my chair is actually about 4ft wide by 23 inches deep, plus the ‘turn’ on the left of my seat and then there is the separate spray area.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1187990[/ATTACH]

Do you many issues with dust on the bottles etc Barry

[BarryW]

Do you many issues with dust on the bottles etc Barry

Oh yes. I get those racks cleaned up annually along with the bottle tops.

[BarryW]

Well I said that I will show a picture of my desk as I leave it at the end of the day.

Here it is.


As you can see the internal parts are to the left ready for a semi-matt varnish. A lot more sub-assemblies are all ready. All tools are away and I have run around the area with my vac.

Tomorrow after I have done the semi-matt varnish and the metal powder dry brushing tomorrow will be a day of build-up.

[stillp]

I impress myself every time I remember to change the scalpel blades! I do put a few paints away occasionally.
Pete

[Tim Marlow]

Hokayyyy….principally for Andy, though I am sure others will have a passing interest……

The door…


The build bench…..

Drawers to the right have the tools etc…..ones to the left have scratch stock and stationary….not much going on, just cleaned up some little chaps and dusted down. They are in the multi compartment box under the optivisor.

Shelves above….

Lesser used tool, spares boxes, a few guitar parts, and blue tack….

Spray booth

Dismantled at the moment…..note computer under the build bench and screen set to the build bench if needed…..

Painting bench….

My most used paints are the Vallejo. They are in the two stands, with the whirlymix on the right and the figure and brush stands on the left. Best light on this bench. Drawers on the right have figure bits and bobs and airbrush spares in them. There are some on the left with painting trays, wet pallet spares, masking tapes, coloured pencils etc, but they don’t show up :tears-of-joy:

Shelves above…..

Top shelf is mostly primers, thinners and Alclad. Some powder paint on the left (great for pre colouring base dressing. First shelf is lesser used paints. Heavy body oils and acrylics on the left, Tamiya next, then enamels and odds and sods. Along the front are metallics and inks with some Vallejo box sets along side.

Down the right, so you can see how it all fits….

Gimlet eyed JD 3rd keeps a weather eye on me…..

Behind the desks,



Usual pile of books, stash, guitars, etc. overseen by Old Muddy and Young Muddy……. Figures and completed models are in the glass fronted cases. Everything else is subject to change (and needs a damn good clean up now I’m getting fitter).
Last filing drawer cabinet holds basing materials, paint stands, flock, tufts, etc….

The room is about 14 foot by 12 foot in old money, and has a great view of King Alfred’s tower in daylight :smiling5:

Just remember, this is the culmination of about forty years active modelling and about two years thinking through. I certainly didn’t buy it all at once :tongue-out3:

Hope it was of some interest. Don‘t hesitate to ask if you need to know more….

[The Smythe Meister]

Hokayyyy….principally for Andy, though I am sure others will have a passing interest……

The door…
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188062[/ATTACH]

The build bench…..
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188063[/ATTACH]
Drawers to the right have the tools etc…..ones to the left have scratch stock and stationary….not much going on, just cleaned up some little chaps and dusted down. They are in the multi compartment box under the optivisor.

Shelves above….
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188064[/ATTACH]
Lesser used tool, spares boxes, a few guitar parts, and blue tack….

Spray booth
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188065[/ATTACH]
Dismantled at the moment…..note computer under the build bench and screen set to the build bench if needed…..

Painting bench….
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188066[/ATTACH]
My most used paints are the Vallejo. They are in the two stands, with the whirlymix on the right and the figure and brush stands on the left. Best light on this bench. Drawers on the right have figure bits and bobs and airbrush spares in them. There are some on the left with painting trays, wet pallet spares, masking tapes, coloured pencils etc, but they don’t show up :tears-of-joy:

Shelves above…..
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188067[/ATTACH]
Top shelf is mostly primers, thinners and Alclad. Some powder paint on the left (great for pre colouring base dressing. First shelf is lesser used paints. Heavy body oils and acrylics on the left, Tamiya next, then enamels and odds and sods. Along the front are metallics and inks with some Vallejo box sets along side.

Down the right, so you can see how it all fits….
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188068[/ATTACH]
Gimlet eyed JD 3rd keeps a weather eye on me…..

Behind the desks,
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188069[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188070[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1188071[/ATTACH]
Usual pile of books, stash, guitars, etc. overseen by Old Muddy and Young Muddy……. Figures and completed models are in the glass fronted cases. Everything else is subject to change (and needs a damn good clean up now I’m getting fitter).
Last filing drawer cabinet holds basing materials, paint stands, flock, tufts, etc….

The room is about 14 foot by 12 foot in old money, and has a great view of King Alfred’s tower in daylight :smiling5:

Just remember, this is the culmination of about forty years active modelling and about two years thinking through. I certainly didn’t buy it all at once :tongue-out3:

Hope it was of some interest. Don‘t hesitate to ask if you need to know more….

Well Tim.....
... What can I say,apart from being very envious!!
What a great set up you have there,and so " warm" looking too
Excellent stuff indeed Sir..... makes my "War office" seem positively puny!!

[Guest]

I've tried a clean up, well sort of. Did manage the work bench top and one side. After this I gave up and had lunch , then carried on with the box . I had a tidy floor, but now's winters coming I've suddenly found I've got a box of gardening sprays and feeds . Along with two large boxes of Pressed Coffee Logs for the burner . Think it's going to end up with another cull of diorama , probably into the attic.
When it's more presentable I'll post some photos .

[The Smythe Meister]

Well Tim.....
... What can I say,apart from being very envious!!
What a great set up you have there,and so " warm" looking too :smiling3:
Excellent stuff indeed Sir..... makes my "War office" seem positively puny!!

Tim,
Just been looking at your set up again..... What's with the 8 Rad box on the painting table?!!..... Is there an AFV in the offing that you're going to spring on us ?!!

[Allen Dewire]

Tim,
Just been looking at your set up again..... What's with the 8 Rad box on the painting table?!!..... Is there an AFV in the offing that you're going to spring on us ?!!

Morn Mr. Smiff,

Tim finished that kit for the shelf queen GB a while back and should be in the completed section for your perusal Andy. That's probably the box artwork from it in the background...

Prost
Allen

[Tim Marlow]

Tim,
Just been looking at your set up again..... What's with the 8 Rad box on the painting table?!!..... Is there an AFV in the offing that you're going to spring on us ?!!

That’s just the “poster” out of the box for an SKDFZ 263 that I did for the shelf queen GB earlier in the year. It was the one with the convoluted tale of the missing rear casemate door….scratched a replacement after it had been MIA for about four years, and while fitting the new one the old missing one fell out of the inside of the model :tears-of-joy:

[Tim Marlow]

Morn Mr. Smiff,

Tim finished that kit for the shelf queen GB a while back and should be in the completed section for your perusal Andy. That's probably the box artwork from it in the background...

Prost
Allen

Cracking Allen. You beat me to my own reply :thumb2::thumb2::thumb2: