janhawk92

I am now beginning to sink myself into this addictive hobby and I am in the beginning stages of setting up shop. What are some things that you would recommend for a shop/work area? Better yet could you share some pictures of your shop / work area?
Thanks Mark

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

If you have room for it, I strongly recommend a workbench anchored to a wall (Where your vise would be clamped) and a second "Building Table" in the middle of the room so you have 360ΒΊ access to it

BobFE

Here is my hobby area.

Jim_McIntyre

The 360 degree access table is a must, I use this mostly for assembly, alignment and paint. I have a couple separate tables for pure building and others for general workshop like tasks such as engine teardown, unexpected repair etc.

Things to keep in mind.

Lighting: flourescents are good but include a couple incandescents to take the flicker off and avoid fatigue
Heat and humidity control
Ventilation
Easy access to avoid hangar rash
Power - plenty of outlets within easy reach, overheads for the 360 degree table.
Dust free storage; bins on wheels (these also make good charging stations to "bring the charger to the plane"
Music - a must for me
Intercom: in case you need help
Phone: in case you need advise
small barfridge full of refreshments
seating for visitors

[link=http://scalebuilder.org/workshop.html]My workshop[/link]

HTH, Jim.

Wild Foamy

i also have an extension on the garage for my hobbies... but i cant get into my work station because mum has stuffed all her gardening equipment, bikes, plants, washing machine, freezer, e.t.c in there, so no pics for the moment...

but seeing as it is half term here in england, and its currently raining i have n'out better to do so i will get around to clearing it up tomorow... but i think i left a cup of tea in there a few months ago so theres probably something living in it now ...[X(]

but at the moment i just work on my sav in the middle of the living room... then when she says "cant you go do that somewere else?" i say "maybe if i could get to my workshop i could!"... either that or i work with it on my bed whilst watching simpsons...

Hydro Junkie

I've got the same problem as Wild Foamy. I have my garage to work in, but I have to get all her stuff out just to be able to get into it. As for what I would recommend, a 16" scroll and 9" bandsaw are invaluable. I would also recommend a dedicated sanding table with a dust collection system of some sort for the table and saws. Even a shopvac would work, though it would only provide a limit d amount of suction

janhawk92

Jim
Is that a Tiger Moth in your pictures? What can you tell us good and bad about that plane? Its flight characteristics and overall opinion of it?
Thanks Mark

Wild Foamy

ive got a DustDevil mini rechargabl vac in one of the cupboards in my shop, a sander, mains 600w drill, Cordless drill, HUGE box of 200 or so HSS drill bits, junior hacksaw, tenon saw and several other saws and was hoping to get a jigsaw and maybe a little metal lathe so i can practice making simple things like... underheads, piston lockers and little oddjobs

but its all a matter of where to put all her ****!, i mean, ive counted 4 Trowles, about 15 plant pots, several old hanging baskets with dead plants, a big bag of compost, 2 bags of grass seed, a sun lounger and plenty of other stuff.

mind you, weve got builders in making a conservatory and theres a big skip in the driveway... maybe i can get away with chucking a few pots and plants in there?

Jim_McIntyre

Good eye. Yes she is a Tigermoth. I don't want to be responsible for taking this thread off topic but I will say I really enjoy my Tigermoth, she's one sweet flying plane but she did keep me humble until I figured out how she liked to be handled. More info on [link=http://scalebuilder.org]my website[/link] or, you're welcome to PM me.

--------------------------
Back on topic.

My wife tried to store some stuff in my workshop. When I confronted her on it, her reply was "I don't have anywhere else to put it". I countered by hanging my smelliest old oils-soaked aircraft from an unused plant hanger in the living room while she was out. When she asked the inevitable question "What's that thing doing there?!!!", I calmly replied "I don't have anywhere else to put it now that my workshop is a storage area". We don't store our stuff in each other's domains these days.

Radcom

So far I have done all my building on a 2 1/2 X 6 ft. fold up table.
The table is in my back living room,which is my room.
I must say I do have a car jump underneath the table
to level it out. The middle sags a little. I ain't had no
problems at this time. If I have to sand I take it outside into the
garage.

NCIS

Sorry for all the picture but there is a furnace in the middle of my shop. There may be double I could not keep track!

Gibbs

2HI2C

NCIS
I don't think I like you. YOUR SHOP IS WAY TO CLEAN
Here is mine, Small but functional.

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

I agree. Remember, a clean shop is the sign of a sick mind!!!!

What part of OK are you in??

Ken

RAGII

Here are some pictures of my work area(s). I actually have a "clean" room for assembly and general building of my planes. I have a woodworking shop for all of the sanding or "dirty" work.

It is clean because I took these pictures just before starting a build project.

Rob

Mr67Stang

Some good ideas here. Just remember it is also important to know what you should not do... ex.

2HI2C

North of Enid. I am originally form Marlow.

Jim_McIntyre

Good point,

Here's some picture of my old shop just before I gave up and moved.

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

Cool!!!!

Ken

bigtim

My Feedback: (13)

heres where the magic happens oof, I disappear downstairs, the entertainment area and laundry table(my old surface),my building and work area, the paint and fabrication and general dump it here section,my boards another piece of the disappearing act, and the front yard where I reappear sometimes the last one is 10/19 thurs a building break

NCIS

Well I guess I'm anal retentive. I have to clean it every week and dust of all the planes. I attack cob webs as they appear. I have more planes, some are still in the box as ARF's and some as kits. I have a few stored in various places that my wife can't scream about. I'm lucky I can decorate my daughter and son's bedroom ceilings with hanging planes instead of plants. There both going on the buddy box with me next summer. They love planes, so it's three against one. Then there is always the three season porch hanger. She's going to kill me if I buy anymore, anymore.......... I admit it I'm nuts.

Gibbs

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Gibbs, you're only a few hours from me. Want to come over and clean MY shop????

Pretty pleeeeese?

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

Mike,
I thought one of the rules in "Man Land" was that it doesn't get cleaned!!!!!

Ken

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

No, the only rule on cleaning is that my WIFE is not allowed to clean it - She would be down there all the time "hiding" stuff on me

Charlie P.

This thread has been eye-opening and very timely. I recently moved and still have boxes of cra . . . treasures all over the cellar. New house has zero shelves or cabinets. Old house was FULL of shelves and cabinets (prior owner at the old house was a cabinetmaker). I went down last night, all inspired by RAGII's incredible layout and MinFlyer's idea about 360ΒΊ access, and moved my huge "main" workbench (an old oak framed table from a railroad station that weighs about 400 lbs) away from the wall. I can't believe this never occurred to me. Now I have a full wall for cabinets, pegboard and shelves that would have been inaccessable. I've got to frame up the concrete (bare) walls, but I am inspired!

At least until I price out the studs and shelf lumber.

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

Brother, you said a mouthfull there!!!!!



Ken