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Workspace Setups


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Hey y'all, just a general question about organizing your workspace. How do you keep all of your bits, paints and projects all in line? I've got a large desk to work on but it just seems to get cluttered very quickly. I'm currently working on half of a Space Marine army and half of a IG army so I've got sprues everywhere! I also can't seem to keep all of my paint pots out of the way. Its a disaster!

 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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I really need to snap some pics of my new setup, because it's been working out very well... First of all, I'm lucky enough to have a dedicated hobby space and it sounds like you might as well. In my case, I have a bookshelf and display case that has drawers and doors on it (an IKEA Expedit if you know what that is) and this is where all my non-current projects stay. In one drawer, I keep anything I use for initial assembly and sculpting: clippers, files, hobby knives, putties of various kinds, etc. In another drawer I keep final touch items like mold line scrapers, pin-vice drills, finishing buffers, etc. That helps a lot right there. I have a place for all my tools, so when it comes time to tidy up they don't just get tossed all over the place or in a big pile. The real groundbreaker for me, though, is a two-level standing desk. It sounds ridiculous, but it's basically my old hobby desk (a cheap IKEA slab table with sturdy legs) and... An IKEA Lack coffee table sitting on top of it. No, seriously. It's awesome. The coffee table is just a couple inches smaller, and the big chunky legs make it surprisingly sturdy. I popped a little blu-tac under the legs to keep it in place. The reason this is awesome is because I have two surfaces. The lower one I use for storing the boxes, sprues, beer bottles, bits boxes, etc. The top is the work area, with three table lamps, an old Citadel particle-board hobby organizer, paints I'm using right now (the rest are stored in shelves that are attached to the legs of the lower table), brushes, water pots and all that. This setup allows me to stage just what I need for what I'm doing right now. I've been flitting back and forth between putting together a Stormtalon and painting an Imperial Knight, and I can just sort of swap them back and forth. Of course, having a standing desk is new to me but I'm really liking it so far. It makes me feel about 900% less slaved to my table. I can literally just set stuff down and walk away. If you've got kids, an animal, a fiancé etc. this is valuable. I used to feel like I was pinned in place when I hobbied at a sitting desk. Inevitably half my sprues, glue, open paints would be balancing precariously on various roughly horizontal parts of my body and getting up was an exercise in frustration. :D 

I know Expedit (now discontinued for the Kallax range) and Lack very well laugh.png The desk sounds like either a Vika Amon or its replacement Linnmon. I must admit I haven't thought of a set up as you describe it. I just have a Vika desk with an IKEA lamp, but I do most of my painting in the kitchen at the moment as it's brighter smile.png

Regarding keeping desks tidy, there are a few organisers that could help. I can't recall any specific links at the moment though.

I know Expedit (now discontinued for the Kallax range) and Lack very well laugh.png The desk sounds like either a Vika Amon or its replacement Linnmon. I must admit I haven't thought of a set up as you describe it. I just have a Vika desk with an IKEA lamp, but I do most of my painting in the kitchen at the moment as it's brighter smile.png

Regarding keeping desks tidy, there are a few organisers that could help. I can't recall any specific links at the moment though.

They got rid of the Expedit range?! Not here in the US... I'm impressed with your encyclopedic IKEA knowledge, sir.

EDIT: I had to Google it, and you're right! Wow. It's been a while since I've had my meatball fix. I'll be going later this month. biggrin.png

Also, yeah it's a white Vika Amon with thick red legs.

My workspace - is a Total Disaster.

 

But it works for me.

 

14382686869_6fa97755ef_c.jpg

 

Paints are in a tool box and in the GW box in front of it, they just end up all over the table when I'm actually painting. Tools are in the card board box to the left. Bits are in the shoe box and GW boxes towards the center. Half finished stuff is towards the right. Completed stuff is in the BF cases to the left of the table. Other extra supplies, bits, etc. are in the tote underneath the table.

 

Edit - Airbrush is out of the pic to the right but you can see the cable (and my Windex).

I've currently got a 20' x 25' room that's meant to be a hobby room and play room for the kids. It's currently a dumping ground for all the tat in the house. :(

 

Every time I spend several hours sorting it the kids get in and mess it up again. So currently there's a small space on the desk and a shelf for my current work. The rest of the rooms like a minefield of toys and other bits there's no space for anywhere else.

I have to set up my painting area every time. And put it away after. Part of living in a two bed flat and having two little monster under 5.

med_gallery_29004_9016_677195.jpg

Two Argos £20 lamps

Sandwich box wet pallet

Tool box with paints and brushes

Another tool box with modelling tools, putty, etc.

Various boxes with models, bits, decals

I've got a small folding table that I break out when I want to work on stuff. Everything modelwise is either kept in its original box in a shoe storage box under the bed or in photo storage containers: http://www.amazon.com/IRIS-USA-Photo-Craft-Keeper/dp/B000VFDZWO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1404519667&sr=8-10&keywords=photo+storage+box. I also have a bunch of the small ziploc bags that ebay sellers send bits in that contain my current planned projects. Paint is in a toolbox along with basing material, glue and plasticard. Any tools are in a wooden box.

This is what it used to be like before the great dumping of household tat:

 

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee214/SW1-SWC/Hobbyroom/071120122109.jpg

Everything behind the units is either mummy's or daddy's goodies.

 

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee214/SW1-SWC/Hobbyroom/211120122160.jpg

I wish my painting space was this clear now.

My work area courtesy of my mother-in-law not wanting this dresser.

med_gallery_61271_7013_502752.jpg

This was a couple of years ago, it's a bit more congested at the moment. Soon my 9 yo and I will be getting an attic room as a game room, xbox and wii for him paint area for me. Will post pics when its up and running.

Oh btw paints and tools go in the drawer spaces with sprues, sprays and un-opened boxes in the cupboard door areas.

^^

Hail Brothers,

personally I went with a desk, a small shelf board (not sure on the naming here) and some extras from the local tool-mart. See for yourself:

P1050363

P1050362

Some sprues remain in their boxes for the time being and are stored at the bottom of each of the vitrines, but most a sorted in the central rack on top of the desk, which is originally designed for small tools. The pots of paint are similarily sorted and stored to the left side-apart from the washes which I use too often, so keep them up on the shelf ready for use.

I just need order it seemshappy.png , hope it helps some.

 

 

@forte - need to have those 5 year olds priming and base coating for you - lol! :D

 

No, no, and oh no. Been getting used to my two colour priming. And these are my toys ;)

 

 But what good are kids if they aren't minions? :lol:

That's what the lawn is for.

  • 2 weeks later...

I'm bringing this thread back from its shallow grave. I've finally organized my hobby room a little bit after a trip to IKEA. I wrote up a blog post about it, but here's a teaser image or two:

 

http://tibbsforge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_1205.jpg

 

http://tibbsforge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_1204.jpg

 

Read all about it over there. It was a lot to type up. Sorry... :D 

 

Maybe this will inspire more of us to share our setups. What're you working with over there? 

I might be stealing some ideas from that setup JeffTibbets, once I get a house of course.

By all means! As long as you attach a maker's plate, a la the Imperial Knights, indicating that the plans originated in Tibbs Forge. ;)

 

Maybe I should make some stickers...

 

But seriously, that's why I posted it. Steal away. All the best hobby ideas are borrowed.

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