Looking for ideas for work area

[Desertanimal]

So I’m going to be able to build a personal shipyard from the ground up. So I’d like some opinions on what you would do. 

 

Here’s the scenario, East wall has a window two other walls clear. I don’t generally work in the mornings so sun coming in the window isn’t a big concern. However, I’m thinking about backlighting while working on a model being a problem. I’ve got nice windows that are supposed to stop UV and such but who knows. I could also put the worktop on either of the other walls. 

What do you think?

 

While I have always liked the idea (maybe the look also) of a countertop sort of work top with lower cabinets to either side of me. However lately I’m thinking of a peninsula work area so that I can get around to other sides if needed. Then when sitting at this desktop, that would put tool storage 90 degrees to my right in some sort of cabinets, maybe upper and lower kitchen cabinet style. I don’t know if that is optimal though. I like to have current tools I’m using laid out in front of me. I suppose that doesn’t really prevent that. Just sort of spitballing now, if you couldn’t tell. Lol

I’m pretty sure I’d like drawers or doors in the cabinets instead of open shelves. This would be to keep dust off of things.

 

Flooring- Wood, light color, not too much color variation. No seams to swallow tiny parts.  

 

Any ideas you’ve got to add? What sort of things do you wish your shipyard had?

 

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

Chris

[druxey]

First consideration: how big is the space? That will often dictate what is practical and what is not.

[Desertanimal]

Good point!

Basically 10 feet by 12 feet. It’s a bedroom in the house so no heavy machines.

[Paul Le Wol]

Hi Chris, I have three work tables. One for drawings, one for the build board and one for fabricating. I always stand while working so the tables are all 42” high which is about elbow height for me. The build board and fabricating tables sit in the middle of the room so that all sides are accessible. If I get tired of standing I have a roll around drafting chair with the seat sitting 30” off the floor. I find that this works for me because I don’t like having to climb out of a chair if I have to go get something which is quite often. I never put anything in cupboards because once the door is closed I can’t remember where it is or if I even have such a thing. Each table has an led shop light hanging over it and an articulating magnifying light clamped to it. And lastly I invested in a good shop vac that doesn’t scream when you turn it on. Good luck with your new shipyard 👍

[Desertanimal]

Thanks for the ideas! How large are the various tables? 

[Paul Le Wol]

 

7 hours ago, Desertanimal said:

Thanks for the ideas! How large are the various tables? 

The table for the build board is 24” x 48” and the other two are 24” x 72” which are just those wire racks from Costco with an 1 1/4” countertop slab mounted on top.

[John Ruy]

Hi, Chris 

 

My approach was to buy two work bench kits from Home Depot and configure a corner bench with a Lazy Susan attached in the corner. I then built a drawing board on the opposite return. 
 

works well for my confined space in my basement. 

 

[wefalck]

I suppose the configuration depends on what kind/size of projects you envisage to work. The island configuration may be useful for projects that are too big to shift easily around a work-desk or similar. Otherwise, like in a kitchen, it takes up a lot of floor-space. Check out the dimensional recommendation of the kitchen guys. You typically need 80 cm between working surfaces, so the size of island plus 80 cm around it on all sides. Normal work-benches/kitchen-tops are 60 cm deep, while shelves need 30 cm to 40 cm.

 

My ideal solution would be to have 60 cm work-tops running all along the walls with 40 cm hanging cupboards to the ceiling above. The space in between would be used for hanging tools that have to handy. The space under the work-top I would subdivide into workstations, separated by chests with drawers. However, I am working seated on small projects and all my small machines.

 

It's nice to sit in front of a window and ok for working on small parts, draughting etc., but it is not so good to have a large model between yourself and the window, as you would be working on the 'dark side' of the model. If you are mainly working with artificial light, this doesn't matter, of course.

 

[Duck]

Chris - Congrats on "getting a room"!  Some thoughts, since I went through this in 2020 in a space about 75% of yours:

1. I hung two large bulletin boards on one wall, side by side that I pin up plans on (I do drawings on the PC)
2. all my benches have been retrofitted with casters which make placement and cleaning simple (with non-marring, locking tires)
3. all my benches/worktables are for standing work because I do way too many other things while seated (I see Home Depot now has a nifty workbench that has a crank up and down work surface)
4. make use of strong magnet strips at key locations for keeping your most used tools handy
5. one shelf of a bookcase is dedicated as a battery charging station.

Things I could have done better - allow:

1. better space for a shop vac and possibly some built in dust collection piping for small power equipment (drill press, disc sander and bandsaw) 
2. better storage for sheet materials
3. space for a small lathe.

Good luck and enjoy!  

 

[Desertanimal]

Those are some great points. Thanks!

The room also abuts the garage so I will probably be based on that wall. That will allow me to put dust collection and run air for the airbrush from outside the room. 
I am really liking the idea you guys have brought up about mobile tables. 👍

 Chris

[Nirvana]

Think in this way, a smaller build area will make it a better organized and cleaner!
I have too much build space making it cluttered.  Bench is L-shaped, short one 8ft and long one 16ft. 54sq.ft (metric, almost 4. 5sq.meter)

Then I have two movable tables both cover 8sq.ft each. And that doesn't included areas for machines.
I must be crazy!

 

[Mike Y]

As always strongly recommend to buy an electrical lifting table, they are quite affordable nowadays with many companies on the market (including IKEA that sells frames separately). Replace a flimsy office tabletop with a sturdy solid wooden one - and you will end up with a fantastic build table that allows you to find a perfect height for any operation. I added an inset vise and peg holes into mine, the possibilities are endless. 

It is a relatively new "accessory" that is often overlooked, well worth the cost.

I would avoid hammering mortise joint with a chisel on such a table, so it is not a full replacement for a workbench if you do a normal woodworking. But more than sturdy for all the modelling needs.

 

Some examples of my setup (IKEA table frame, solid top cut to size of the working area, Veritas inset vise), very easy to customize it for your space.

 

[Desertanimal]

That is an excellent idea that I completely missed out on! 
The funniest part is I have a desk like that in my office! 
That will definitely be added to the room.  That makes a lot of sense as assembly, light woodworking table. 
Chris