Just so everyone does not think I keep a pristine clean shop...here it is in the normal state.

I wanted a good flat table to build on, so I welded up a 30"X96" frame out of 1 1/2" square 16 guage steel tubing, covered it with 3/4" plywood, and glued ceiling tiles to that so I could stick pins in it. It's mounted on steel legs with wheels so I can move it to work all the way around it and it will tilt 90 degrees either side of level. I also have two 30" by 12 foot benches in my workshop for catching all the junk that accumulates during a project.

Amature's! I wish I had a digital camera. Got 2 bays out of a three car garage. Five work benches (3 roll around). Five projects throughout the garage. Had to clean up down to one layer of project to find the connector crimper. Took 2 days. I had to promise myself not to start any new projects until these were all done.

Aerografix,
Now thats my kind of shop. Lathe and mill. Want to get tools like that someday. Maybe a tig welder too.
Edwin

Thanks for the complement, but you know being retired, when we started to design the house last year, my wife not only agreed with a shop, but she rather demanded it, if you get my drift. (out of the house

Since I do a lot of R&D, those tools come in handy. But the lathe you see, is at least 30 years old Myford 7.

Ok, it's confession time for me here. Although I started this thread to find out where other people do there work in, I did have another motive starting up this thread. Right now I build my planes in a spare bedroom at my house which is also my office at home. I share my building area with my computers (I'm in the computer/networking field, so computers are a major think at our house), and the web server farm I run as part of my business. We are getting ready to build on to our house to give us a bit more room. The part of the expansion of the house that I'm really interested in is extending the garage. We currently have a double garage and I want to extend it out approx. 12'-15' so that I can build dedicated workshop out there. the dimensions I will be looking at for a new shop would be approx 12'-15' x approx 15'-17'. I'm looking around for sizes and layouts of shops around there so that I can get more ideas for laying out my new shop. so if you all have any ideas, or suggestions I would really appreciate it.

But by all means please don't stop posting the pics of your shop. I love every aspect of this hobby from building to flying. I have really recently started building (I'm on my 5th plane) and plan on building till they nail the coffin shut on me!!!!!!!!

thanks for all the help and postings in this thread.

Sounds like you're thinking small. I would definately go bigger. I'll be adding onto my garage but it will be 24x24 for the shop space. I have about 17 planes and I seem to always be tinkering with one or five of them for any number of reasons. If this is going to be it, think out to the distant future also.
Edwin

I like those deep shelves near the ceiling I saw. Think I'll do that.

I would love to think bigger than that, but I have to work within the limitations of my property and the city zoning codes. I only have 35' from the existing garage to the street. I need to leave approx. 20' for my drive-way to be able to get cars in the driveway still. plus the city won't let me get the edge of my house much closer to the street than that. and as much as I love flying I can't give up having a garage for our vehicles. first off, my wife refuses to park outside a garage. second off, my truck has tools in it for my business (to the tune of about $20,000 worth of tools and parts) and my insurance is cheaper if I park it in a garage every night. so I have to keep my garage for the vehicles.

but considering that my current building area is a shared bedroom (11'x10') and I only really have one folding table to work on, moving to a new workshop in the garage is a step up for me.

It's in "my" corner of the basement, and is 6'X4' and uses a 5/8" sheetrock surface over a 3/4" hardboard flat top.

That's the latest project...GP Super Skybolt...

-Fitz.

What is the recommended workbench height for kitbuilding?
And do you work off of a stool, or stand most of the time?

A bad back, and bending over a bench for hours is not a good combination

Thanks,

Dwight Hayden

I just found out recently that I have a herniated disk in my low back. My work bench is a stand and work kind of bench. I do have a bar stool to sit on but I still have to limit my time standing to about 20 minutes on then about 30 to 60 minutes sitting taking a break. I'll be changing one of the work benches to a lower standard table height now and using a roll around chair. But a stand and work table was sure nice while it lasted.
Edwin

My work bench is 38" high, a nice comb for standing or sitting on a drafting stool.
I use a bench that is 3' by 6' as I can work all the way around even large planes. I cut this down from a 4'x8'. I like benches around the wall for table top power tools and storge bins. I also use them for assembly of small parts. Once I learn how to attach photos here I will show you my shop.

You want the work bench to be about the same height as your counters in your kitchen, it's what I have and it works great. I also have back problems that limit my standing time so I have a bar stool for the taller work bench and a chair for the one I sit at.

i jus wanna know why/how art got my wifes pic on his wall? dang marines (lol) all the same.....

In your dreams my friend, only in your dreams!!!! There you go with that Navy.............................uh Marine thing again!!!!!!!GO ARMY!!!!!!!

This is a photo of my workshop...I also enjoy woodworking, so I have a few "heavy duty" tools and things! It usually is a bit messier than this, but I had just straightened up for a cabinet project. I can's wait to get finished, so that I can get started on a F3F-2 Grumman " Flying Barrel."


[IMG]My workbench[/IMG]

this is my workshop complete with a nosen citabria 106" , and midwest citabria 81", a small citabria 62" I think, big foiler 81" , and a kyosho agwagon 72" I think, im pretty much crouded in my workshop.

This is where all my waiting aircraft sit. I have anything for a F-22 to a plane that looks like a goose, to a Long EZ and as simple as a kadet senior. The blimp in the back ground will get wings, and will be a ducted fan later on in its like, neat huh?

help i need to know how to build a good and true board to get my kits going any body have any ideals

I use a Old door, if thats what your talkin about, where in south texas do you live?

I went to Lowe's and picked up two 2x4 dense ceiling tiles. I turn them upside down and build on those. When I have worn them out I just replace them.

yes thats what i am talking about. ineed something i can put my pins in thanx alot. i live near victoria texas

I been to victoria texas. the doors I use are a bit difficut to put pins in, but once in the door, it stays till it gets a good hard pull.

Here's my build area. The wife let me take the whole basement! I have a rough build room, with a flat and true surface:

And here's the finish table. complete with the History Channel:

And here's the paint desk. My wife paints bisque ceramics, and we both paint static models as well.

One thing that puzzzles me about these photo's, is that floating orb-like thingie in the first photo... Any thoughts?


Thanks for looking!