Hi Guys,

I'm only new to the forum, and no doubt there is already a thread on the subject (someone please fill me in), but if not I'm going to post some photos of my Workshop right here. Maybe someone out there can get a tip from my workspace.

If there actually isn't a thread on "Workshops" maybe we can start one now.

I only started building my "shop" in April 2007, when I decided to get back into modelling after having far too many years off. In my past life as a modeller I made do with a really crappy old former school bench, littered with bits and pieces everywhere. (Don't get me wrong - if that's the way you like it SHOW US).

Before I even dusted off the 3/4 finished model of "HMS Victory" that was staring at me for 15 years and begging me to FINISH it, I decided to give myself the workshop I sorely needed.

Building up the "shop" has turned into as much of a hobby for me as actually building anything in it! (I've done all right though, finished "Victory" AND "Bounty" since May 2007) as well as setting up the shop.

As are a lot of workshops, this is a "work in progress". I will keep you posted when I (inevitabley) make some significant changes.

In the meantime - SHOW ME YOURS!

NOTE WELL: This is NOT a Competition, a view of your shop may just give someone out there an inspiration - that one little good idea that makes modelling easier and/or more fun.

Cheers,
Danny

PS Please forgive the fuzzy pictures, new ones will come when I replace my old camera.

http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/thumbs/2a.jpg (http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/2a.jpg) http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/thumbs/13a.jpg (http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/13a.jpg) http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/thumbs/5a.jpg (http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/5a.jpg)

Thats what we like, getting a new camera just for this hobby, just for this forum (if that is not the case just keep the truth quite)

My workspace at the moment is pretty much just a normal desk with the bare (i repeat bare) minimum of tools.

Due to restricted money-flow, i work under the principale: Necessity is the Mother of Invention. Big favorite at the moment: Rubber bands (hundreds of them).

Perhaps i will try to build a lazy-susan turn table soon (with ball bearings, it would have to be very large). Do you have a turn table ?

Davit

Hi David,

The workshop cost me relatively little to set up, as I built everything myself. Most of the tools and accessories I already had from my previous life as a modeller, collected over a period of many years. The exceptions are the Machine shop tools, Lathes and Mill, which I have only recently purchased (Sherline, made in USA, excellent machines for the modeller with a huge range of accessories - you can buy them piece by piece as you afford them).

Yes I have a "lazy susan", I made it years ago from an old record player turntable. Having a ball race in the axle makes it very easy to use. Cost: $0.00, just an hour's work to make. I'll try to enclose a picture - my camera seems to work OK on close-up, just not on longer shots (auto-focus doesn't work any more, and doesn't have manual focus).

Cheers,
Danny

http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/thumbs/Turntable1.jpg (http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/Turntable1.jpg) http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/thumbs/Turntable2.jpg (http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/Turntable2.jpg) http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/thumbs/Turntable3.jpg (http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/1011/Turntable3.jpg)

Hi Danny,
Well, your idea (inspiration) for this thread worked. I am currently working on setting up a workbench to continue on my Skipjack. I live in a small apartment and "space" is a problem that I am currently trying to conquer. The only space available to me is my living room. I recently was able to get 2 large work tables from where I work and set them up into an "L" shape. One side is for my computer and the other is a workbench.
I have a similar belt / disc sander like you have in the corner, boxed - in. I had thoughts about using mine now because of the dust it throws everywhere. I see that you have what looks like a suction hose attached to the top of the box. (If that is what it is). How well does that work?
Anyway, that gave me a good idea about setting up a similar box and hooking it up with an attatchment for my vacuum cleaner. That just might reduce the amount of dust enough to use it on my workbench.
Suggestions welcome!

Hi Danny and all. Took many years before I could have a shop like this (had to wait for a couple of the kids to move out!) - Shop Photos (http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=517)
Cheers, John

Hi Bill,

Sorry to be so long replying, I've been away for a while.

The suction hose is actually hooked to an extraction fan used for hydroponic gardens by some people. It has quite an amount of power, quite a lot more than a vacuum cleaner!

You probably would get away with a vacuum cleaner, as long as you keep the inlet fairly small - mine is about 300 x 200mm with a filter over it as well.

Hi John,

I would have said "everything but the kitchen sink", but I see you have that as well!
Where is the bed??

Cheers,
Danny

Perhaps this will inspire in a different way...

My shop... a small cluttered corner in the living room, complete with a small desk and a nice, but modest, collection of quality hand tools.

This is where, such as it is, the work gets done.

I think it says two other things, both positive I hope.

One, that my wife who values books above all other things, is remarkably tolerant of my eccentricities...

...and two, that while I enjoy an evening of modeling, I'd rather do it in the company of my wife.

Regards

Jim