Your Shop

I would like to hear some descriptions or pictures of how your shop is set up to help me improve mine, Like how you store your airplanes, What power tools you have, ETC. Also i would like to build an airplane storage rack and would like some advice in that, thanks, BEN

The main feature of my shop is a big workbench, 4' x 8',
on castors so I can push it around my relatively limited space.
It actually has 3 layers: the working surface (covered with a
piece of replaceable sheetrock) and 2 shelves for storing wood,
plans, etc.

I also have a slightly smaller workbench (say 2' x 8') fastened
to a wall and an old desk. And many flourescent light fixures,
but not enough. I should also paint the ceiling white.

The only real power tool I have is a big old metal lathe
that I inherited, along with yet another bench.

I have some miscellaneous shelves and an old punched-card
filing cabinet for storage. I could use a lot more.
I could also use more space for storing planes.

I have access to more power tools, courtesy of Howard Rush.
A drill press, table saw, band saw, disk/belt sander, router.
They all seem quite useful. And a shop-vac and a compresser
and a vacuum pump. And more stuff I can't remember.

My floor is concrete. It's hard and cold, but easy to clean
and supports my rolling table. If I covered it, I would
consider cork.

Beb, when you come up to our contest in Wichita, come out and look at mine.

You would be surprised what you can do with nothing more than one work bench and a scroll saw but most of us want/need more room/tools/benches. You have seen my building room, a couple of work benches, scroll saw and band saw but After the big move I will have a pretty nice shop. It's 30 x 40 and will have room to get all my tools in one place plus a couple more work benches.

If at all possible the best situation is to have your main work bench so you can get to at least 3 sides, this will save you allot of having to move the airplane around when you are working. You will need a scroll saw and if you can swing it get a small band saw. I use my band saw much more than I do the scroll saw but the scroll saw will do things the band saw won't.

Hope this helps and good luck...

When setting up my current shop I did something very easy and has turned out really well.

I was in a hurry to get some shelving and benchtop space so I bought shelving units that could be set up as either one tall shelf unit, or two counter top high units side by side. They are 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep.

So I dedicated an entire wall to them side by side. However, I stuck one perpendicular to the wall to give me a little peninsula, where I could set a model and get to three sides of it. Really has worked out well.

As for tools, well, lets just say it's hard to get enough. A 14" bandsaw is one I couldn't live without. Also a couple disc sanders are super handy. I also use my cabinet making chisels on model airplanes more than I would have ever expected.

Dave Courtney has the slickest model holding rack I've ever seen mounted in a car, super efficient and simple. Maybe he'll see this and chime in with a pic. This topic came up a while ago (before I met Dave) and someone posted a pic of one made of pvc and lots of "t"s, holds the planes in a level attitude, one on top of the other pointing forward. I built one and REALLY like it, maybe that'll show back up as well.

Oh ya, and a fridge for beer...

Here are a couple of pictures of my new shop. It has a long way to go, but it is coming along nicely. It is a converted, stand alone three car garage. Inside, there is a 10x10' office that will be my spray booth - the closet in the office is perfect for my compressor. For the main walkaround workbench, I use a 4x7' drafting table with a glass top. Along the back wall, I built 20' of benches for a band saw, sander, mini table saw, and solder station.

As you can see, I could not wait for it to be completed before I went to work on the latest project, the Super Staris.

Curt,

You have all that space and then use it for toy airplanes? Shame! Shame! Norm Abrams would be disappointed!

Ben:

Good topic. I made lots of notes as I worked in my old area and got lots of advice when planning my new shop (it's hard to "fix" things when all the walls and fixtures are in place!). Of course, there are proven design concepts for good work space, but a lot of your design should be based on how you work. My shop is approximately 22 by 25 feet. I made two benches from old Ranger drafting tables - the company I worked for got them in a lot of used engineering furniture and my boss gave them to me. I wire brushed them, painted them white, made a full width shelf to replace the footrest, put hollow core doors on top (one with sheet rock, one with glass), mounted peg board on one side to hold tools, and installed "power strip" receptacles on each. Total cost was about $150 for the pair (most of that was the sheet of glass - about $75 as I recall). They are located in the room as an "island" so I can access all sides - one of those things I learned from my old shop, where the bench was against the wall! (Picture shows a Brodak Cardinal being bashed to improve its appearance by "simulating" Wayne Handley's Raven)

My main "airframe building" tools are against the wall behind the benches. I have a small modelers table saw, scroll saw, drill press, and bandsaw. I hope to have a central dust collection system on this wall one day, but for right now I have a Delta air cleaner hung overhead. Also on this wall, above the power tools (9 foot ceiling), is my unbuilt kit storage, using wire shelving.

On one end of the benches is my balsa rack, which I made from cheap 1 x 3 boards, hardwood dowels, and masonite hardboard. The masonite was used to make shelves to keep the balsa from sagging and warping.

Next to the wood rack are a bunch of R/C planes. These were built by my Dad and after he passed away, I took them home. I don't fly R/C, but they have hold great memories of all the things Dad taught me about modeling, craftsmanship, and life. Who knows, maybe someday I will fly some R/C.

In one corner across from the benches is a 9 x 9 paint room with wrap around lighting and an 1800 CFM fan - you can see the door with filters installed. The picture of the paint room looks a litte dark, but it is actually quite bright - I think the light level fooled the metering on the auto exposure system. The paint cabinet has casters on the base and is rolled out when painting is underway. I hope to have a central compressed air system installed one day in the future. Right now I use a 6 HP Sears roll-around unit.

In the other corner across from the benches, next to the paint room, is the "engine shop" with my lathe and grinders. I have a small TV and VCR mounted high so I can run instructional videos while I am working - I have lots to learn and video is a great medium. On the front wall, next to the entrance door, is a gridwall system holding all my parts and hardware. Gridwall was more expensive than pegboard, but offers lots of flexibility.

You may see another small table saw and drill press on a roll-around. I was fortunate that Dad was a machinist and had lots of nice equipment, which I inherited. I have set the shop up with some duplicates so more than one person can work at a time.

Advice? As someone already noted, mount everything possible on wheels. My computer, grinders, trash can, plan racks, paint cabinet, and one saw/drill press are all mobile. You can get a lot more mileage out of a given space when things can be moved easily. As I said before, think about how you work and set up your space to make your time effective. Tools - a good scroll saw, drill press, and as finances permit, band saw and small table saw. I have not yet found a power sander that is useful in my modeling - I have tried a two different types of disk/belt units and have not found them useful. I want to try an oscillating spindle type unit next. I really enjoy working on my lathe, but if Dad had not bought it, I wouldn't own one now - could not justify that expense for the amount of work that I do. Set up good lighting! If you are going to paint, be completely aware of the health/safety issues and observe them. Seems I recall that you are still young, and we want you to enjoy a long modeling career. These chemicals are dangerous and should be treated with the proper respect. Finally, be patient. When I got interested in C/L again about 15 years ago, I started building in a 6 x 8 outside lean-to with the hot water heater as the heat source during the winter! Developing a good shop and equipment is a gradual process for most of us and actually adds to the enjoyment of the hobby. When you buy a tool, buy the best quality you can afford - you will be pleased in the long term.

Hope these pictures help explain all these words. Feel free to ask any questions.

Whoa... I gotta show these pics to my wife. She thinks I'm obsessed...(hehe!)

Tim:

Now, you won't believe this, but my beloved helped me hang and mud all the sheet rock in that shop - yep, ceilings too (she can't sand it - gets all congested with the dust). She contends that women do better mudding because it's like icing a cake! We had the garage/shop built, then finished the inside ourselves to stretch the budget.

One of her hobbies is stained glass, and she is using the paint shop to solder the leaded pieces - the fumes are nasty and the paint shop venilation is just the ticket!

Now, Ben, there is a very important bit of advice I can offer in this thread. When the time comes to covenant with that special woman, be sure to find one who understands your interests. She doesn't have to particularly love to build or fly or watch, but she needs to get satisfaction from your enjoyment of the activity. Of course, that street runs both ways . . .

Hey Bruce!
If I had that workshop, I would be scared to buildin it!!!! LOL!!!!
AWESOME. Man, I could build maybe 10-12 at a time in there.
Seriously, it looks great. I am dark green with envy.
Now I will have to completely redo my shop. (something I have been wanting to do for quite some time)
Will have to see it one day.
Bill <><

Bill:

Thanks. For all of you that have commented about the neatness of the shop, the main "cause" is lack of building time. I changed jobs a few months ago and have been in training and travelling much more than previously. But I am looking forward to getting in there and building some stuff!

Bill, maybe you can blast down at the next Huntersville contest. I am about 2 hours away. BTW, do you still have relatives in Asheville?

Bruce,
I do have some relatives up there still, and I do need to go see them before too long. Greenville is close, I know. One of the 4 TV channels my Aunt Margie gets is Greenville, channel "4" I think..
Bill <><

Bill:

Yep, Channel 4 is Greenville. Depending exact location in Asheville, you will be an hour or less from me.

You didn't mention the best part, you have an installed deep sink. Boy, to have that and the coffee pot. Hmm, mmmm. Very nice shop. Just too clean!! For all out there, I highly recommend installing those 6 foot area rugs that have rubber backing and are used for entrance ways. I got one at a store that sells goods from stores getting rid of old stock called "Michaels" and for $10.00 it sure keeps my feet insulated from the cold, cold cement garage floor. Also a stool so every now and then you just have to sit for a few minutes and contemplate the meaning of "airplanes".
Saturday I was at Tom Morris's house and saw his new addition to his "shop". Ha, more like mini factory. Very impressive. Talk about well laid out. Lots of sunlight, room, tools, tools, tools. Very inspirational. Now to go out and redo mine, again. I sometinmes think our shops are a hobby within a hobby and these planes are just an excuse to go out there. Almost a religious thing.

My shop is similar to most. I use one corner of a 30x40 foot basement for my main working area. I have two foot wide benches that cover 16 feet each along two walls. On these I set spare parts, hand tools, and the miscellaneous supplies we need to build the models. I can also use one of the long benches to build wings and fuselages. I store extra engines, parts, and kits under the benches.

My main building bench is 4x6 feet in the middle of the floor. It's butcher block, covered with Homosote (as are several of the wall benches). The butcher block is very heavy and I have spent a lot of time trueing and leveling it up. Makes a good, solid surface.

I modified one of my RC wing racks to hold completed CL models. It is spaced 2 feet out from the wall and hangs from the ceiling down to the floor. I have 3/4" dowels covered with foam insulation set into the 2x4 uprights and can store nine aircraft. The planes slide in horizontally and the vertical spacing is about 12 inches.

The power tools are over in another corner. I have the usual: air compressor, drill press, jig saw, belt sander, table saw, and a compound mitre saw. The only tool I'm missing is the metal lathe - maybe someday. I also use a hand drill and Dremel tool extensively. As mentioned in another post, I also use tons of flourescent fixtures above my benches.

Oh yes, don't forget the radio and TV with Satellite feed and DVD player

Hope your shop turns out great.

>I would like to hear some descriptions or pictures of how
>your shop is set up to help me improve mine, Like how you
>store your airplanes, What power tools you have, ETC. Also
>i would like to build an airplane storage rack and would
>like some advice in that, thanks, BEN

This a really great thread. So much of our time is taken with what glow plug etc. The shop is where it all comes together. I have put a lot of time and effort into my shop/mini factory. As soon as I get a digital camera, I will post pics of my operation. I have a full size plotter attached to a computer engineering station.

Mine is a 4ft card table in the corner of the upstairs play room.

Thanks
Paul:-(

>Mine is a 4ft card table in the corner of the upstairs play
>room.
>
>Thanks
>Paul:-(

Pictures, pictures, we need pictures!

Hi Ben, What a great thread! I have asked some of my fellow District
3 flying friends to send me some pictures of their shop areas so that I might incorporate these sites in my Stunt News Column reports going forward. I have seen some but none as well organized as one presented herein! Amazing!!!! I am trying to straighten up and finally get organized but even if I worked 5 years solid I coundn't match that one. Nevertheless I will strive to bring my area up from the pig sty class perhaps to the stage of the sloppy guy in the "Odd Couple". I do have a frind who is approaching the Felix category in so far as neatness goes eg while working together in his shop I put down a steel rule to do something, turned back for the rule which had been ..hung up! Amazing! Phil Spillman

I'm impressed by the shops and equipment that you guys have posted; however,I haven't seen any reference to a bench vise. I have a 4 1/2" Sears Craftsman vise mounted on one of my work tables and it is indispensable for modeling and other household chores. I couldn't imagine not having one! What do you use or recommend?

Gary:

Yep, I'm with you. You will see mine on the bench across from the lathe, where I do most of that type of work. It is a Craftsman, I think either a 4 or 6 inch - can't remember. Some smooth jaw inserts are also handy for certain tasks. The small "modelers" vises I have had have not been very useful for me.

You're right. The vise is a necessity. I have a small bench vise, a rotating Panavise, and also use a couple of the B&D Workmates.

I should also mention the two ShopVacs it takes for me to keep up with the mess. Plus, I have a jumbo sized air cleaner which helps to keep the spray fumes down to manageable levels and a welding torch which I use to work on fuel tanks. (I use a jeweler's tip.)

"of horrors"
Look out, I almost have the digi camera going so I can post pics of my working areas. Aaron said he would dis-own me if I post them! hahahaha!!!!
Bill <><

If he doesn't like it tell him to get his own shop.
Jay

And the crowd cheers... GO BILLY, GO BILLY.....

Kirk,
Just for you! hahahaha!! Only one corner, this is a PG rated forum, the horror of the rest would be too much for one post.
Doesn't ALWAYS look this bad.
Bill <><

Bill,

All I have to say is I love it. More, more....

Kirk

PS. Where is mine?

Us Ozzies don't have "shops", we have "sheds". Heres some shots of the two extremes of "the ozzie shed".

Yep, more my style! LOL!!
Bill <><

Well, first I'd box up all those trophies on the wall and hang more planes there. Other wise a perfect shop. No, really. Go, Billy, go. I love it.

Ty,
Another wall of the "little shop of horrors".

Is that Arron's SV I see in there? Drift around the shop more with the cam. We want to see the whole lab.

Plane rack and 1952 Still Stuka. We were actually sorting and putting up stuff when the pics were taken, just not finished with the task yet.
Bill <><

How about a closer pic of the plane racks. I need to make some now and need ideas.

>Plane rack and 1952 Still Stuka. We were actually sorting
>and putting up stuff when the pics were taken, just not
>finished with the task yet.
>Bill <><
>
>Disclaimer: I am neither a NATS Champion (yet), professional
>engine reworker, engine producer, column writer, Hobby Shop
>owner, *rockeet* scientist, nor otherwise. Just an old
>Advanced flier.

I know that TV is for Windy Videos. I can imagine Peeps on the screen right now.

Hmmmm,

Take a camera - go to 327 Pueblo Pass in Anniston Alabama. Take some pictures of Tom Morris's shops, don't forget the second floor section!
Then go home and shake you head and mutter to yourself that you have seen the be all - end all of model airplane construction facilities!

HI Jim. I was there Saturday. You ain't just a whislin Dixie. Soon as the rains stop my shop is getting reorganized.

The main feature of my workshop is mess. Ain't it grand! There is a Millennium Mustang and the original Mustunt I hanging in the garage.

Ron B.
F4Fguy

Al:
You're too tidy,modeling is a dirty business.Take a gander at the way it's supposed to look.
In my defense,these were taken when I was working hot'n heavy on the Zero,and I NEVER stop to clean up when I'm on a roll(except when I start losing things in the pile).

Ron,

What is that unfinished fuselage hanging in the corner. You are right you are messier than I am. the difference is the size of our shops. I would be that messy but I don't have enough room.

Guys, My workshop is in the house. I sand and occasionally paint in there. Eat your heart out.

Ron B.
F4Fguy
Al:
It's a never completed,(dare I say it),RC Zero which I was building for UC sport scale.It was to have had all bells and whistles,i.e.retracts,throttle,flaps,canopy rollback,etc..It was based on an old Royal kit,and was heavy as lead even at this stage. It's only usefullness was as an idea for the stunt one.

If it don't look like an airplane,don't build it.

People have drifted away from being helpful to simply bragging.

Notice in Ron's pictures that all his pegboard (and he seems to
have it on every wall) is painted white. It's a good idea;
helps you see what you're doing.

Howard Rush takes a big incandescent bulb with him to the Nats,
so he can effectively polish his plane in a hotel room
(where they always run dim bulbs for economy).

>People have drifted away from being helpful to simply
>bragging.
>
>Notice in Ron's pictures that all his pegboard (and he seems
>to
>have it on every wall) is painted white. It's a good idea;
>helps you see what you're doing.
>
>Howard Rush takes a big incandescent bulb with him to the
>Nats,
>so he can effectively polish his plane in a hotel room
>(where they always run dim bulbs for economy).
>
>Preston

Preston,

I find it cute that you made the problem statement and then finished up by adding to the problem. Very clever, I salute you. Do the same thing myself, although rarely intentionally.

If you keep on blabbing about Rush's secret tricks, he'll not let you in his basement ever again.

>I find it cute that you made the problem statement and then
>finished up by adding to the problem.

Oops. And I thought I was merely demonstrating a very typical
Seattle concern about inadequate light.

>If you keep on blabbing about Rush's secret tricks, he'll
>not let you in his basement ever again.

I think he's got a couple left.