Modelers Work Bench
 

I have had lots of work benches since 1965. I have used desks, dining-room tables, plywood, etc, etc. I usually built my own work bench. I am an old-school modeler. I grew up kit building and flying C/L planes and then moved on to R/C planes. I am returning to the hobby and finally came to the realization that I need yet another good work bench. I think the work bench is a personal decision and one should use whatever works best for themselves. The possibilities are limit-less

I thought I would share the direction I am going just for information purposes for those trying to get some ideas.

My design criteria:

1. A form and shape that I can sit at like a desk. In other words my legs go underneath. Top face = 30" elevation
2. To be placed long side against an interior wall
3. Wide enough that I can put skinny shelving up the wall
4. Quick. Not a lot of built time involved

I decided on a utility table with a hollow-core interior-door laying on top.

Here is the utility table
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cosco-72-in...ble/1000638149

Here is the hollow-core interior door. The doors come in different widths. I bought a 32" wide. The link shows a 36" wide
https://www.lowes.com/pd/JELD-WEN-Fl...-80-in/4363179

I noticed the door has a very fine finish. So I have plans to cover it with paper to make the finish last longer

Here is the paper covering process

Here is the paper I plan to use. I am planning to use double thickness. I will put down two sheets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Hope this produces some ideas that will work for you personally

When I did my 'building table' I chose a solid-core door. The hollow core options did not make the span over my opening and would bow. You're folding table should provide the extra support.

I chose Solid Core because I used two file cabinets, one on each end of the table. That gave me some extra storage space under the table. All my RC and hobby paperwork went into the cabinets. I adjusted the height I wanted with 4X4 blocks, which also gave me some cubby holes for tools.

Hey, as long as you get a setup that fits and works well for you - Get building and have fun..

Solid core was too heavy for my tastes. I know there are benefits to a solid core. I am in a light-weight phase of life. My design will hold me for the time being. I do not build model planes with advanced engineering on the brain, they just do not seem to go together. Although I see our Air Force has built some VERY precise model planes. I have already started to enjoy the table. I am re-building the switches on a couple of old (but not many miles) Sullivan Electric Engine starters (I am an old-school nitro guy).

Three of the features I really like:
I am using an extra bedroom so it is a comfortable all-weather spot
I can leave things lay.
Provides me inner santum

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8b81aa1d4a.png,

Thought I would throw some stuff on the bench to break it in
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...42f47c582d.jpg

Hobby Bench Photos
 

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Lets us see a photo of your hobby bench please
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Hi Lee, this is the setup I,ve used for the last twenty. I built simply with steel legs so that I could size them to the exact height needed since I use a wheelchair all the time. The length of the main table is about six by three feet with a wing table on the end that proide another 18" or so in length but more importantly the wing table protrudes out in width also 18 inchs. This L shaped provides an amazingly wide variety of airplane that can be worked on at the table. It is toped with Cellotex half inch and sold in four by eigtht sheets.

I have found memories Lee of working in my room in the fiftys just as you are and even in sixties, working on a foot locker at the barracks in Germany:cool:

John

Thanks John for the posting. The photo reminds me of a in garage hobby shop I built in 1982 (37yrs ago). I LIKE the idea of an "L" shape to accommodate tail draggers. I think I may add that to mine as time passes. What is going on in AZ?