I am going to be adding a wrap around work bench in my garage for various projects ranging from motorcycle rebuilding, carpentry and RC model making. I was thinking of using a pegboard backing above the level of the bench for storage and organizing. I am sure a few people have some nice innovations to make RC tank building easier, what style support did you use to hold the bench up? Lets share some ideas and blue sky a little

I don't have any pics currently, but I bought a 4x8 of half inch particle board with a pretend oak covering (for making furniture I guess), ripped it lengthwise and made an L shaped bench in the corner. I have 2x6 at one end, 2x8 for the other and a 2x2 corner that is too deep to use for anything really. But I have space....more room to get cluttered and a foot deep in parts and tools.

I also hung several shelves consisting of 16" deep closet door panels. They can take the extra weight of my R/C monster trucks (about 20 lbs each), my tanks, my diecast cars and trucks, my 21st Century stuff, and whatever else I toss up there....

<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Workbenches can be made from scratch using common lumber, or from pre-fabricated components (such as legs) with home brew tops and shelving or purchased complete. Of course your budget, intended use, available spare time, tools and skill level are important considerations when choosing which way to proceed. </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">This is a great source for ideas, workbench components and storage options. <font color="#606420">http://www.globalindustrial.com/gcs/indexWorkBenches.web</font> Snoop around there a little, they&rsquo;ve got some cool bench and storage solutions. Whether you purchase from them or not, you&rsquo;ll get a good idea of what&rsquo;s available over the counter.Another fantastic source for workbenches, shelving and cabinets are commercial fixture liquidators. A community the size of Orlando probably has several. Habitat for Humanity stores are another great source for kitchen cabinets and countertops that can be recycled into workbenches and shop storage. You&rsquo;ve got a lot of options.</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">FWIW, pegboard would be my last choice for tool and supply storage. It&rsquo;s dirty, inefficient and difficult to manage, IME. If you do choose to use pegboard, try and incorporate some bins, drawers, and shelves along with it. HTH and best of luck. </div>

Hi all, just my 2 cents for what it's worth

I'm fortunate that my workspace is inside my home. Believe me, that last place you want to be is in a garage or shed when it's 114 F outside, the garage temp stays well above 100 F late into the evening during the summer months here in the sunny Arizona.

So I needed my workspace to not only be functional but also look presentable (to keep the peace). A lot of the modeling I do is still small scale stuff so I didn't need a HUGE work surface. I have a 30" X 60" work bench that has a built-in light table for copying and tracing, and I picked it up for only about $100 (US). I then added two matching roll around storage units, that have drawers, shelves and book storage for about $40 each. All of it is finished in a white laminate that is easy to clean, and it looks presentable if anyone comes into my den/shop space. Plus, the white is nice and bright and works well for photographing my work to post here on this forum (LOL)

All of it courtesy of IKEA. Seriously go to the website and look at the storage options. They have a 60" wide matching white hutch I plan to purchase that will also give me overhead storage and work nicely to support a paint rack, and it's only $30 (US).

All in all they have pretty decent stuff that looks nice, is relatively durable if you take care of it, and is only the fraction of the cost of buying some of the purpose built metal benches designed for shop use, plus it doesn't look "to industrial" to have in your home.

I've had my bench for almost two years, and it still looks great.

Just thought I would share my humble opinion!

Streetsquid (Craig)

Agree on pegboard. Unless you are hanging odd-shaped tools, in an area that can't be used for shelving, shelving of some type (wire or wood) is typically a better choice IMO. The depth adds space that would otherwise be wasted. Doesn't even have to be deep to gain much useable space.

Also depends where your lighting will be. Shelving over a workbench could block light.

I will be building a workbench, my dad suggested attaching a 2x4 to the studs lengthwise along the wall, using that to anchor the back side of the table top. I'll be using 4x4's for the front legs (three, due to the width of the work bench) and I happen to have two larger chunks of 3/4" MDF (heavy!) that likely will be used for the top of the bench. At his suggestion I may get a fairly thick sheet of steel for the top. If I use steel, it will be something thick enough that I won't be able to dent it, or easily drill through, or grind, etc. That way I can count on it being a flat surface for a long time.

I plan on running a 2xsomething lip along the back edge, so nothing can roll off the back of the table to resist finding.

IMO weight is a plus for a bench. That way mounting a vise, drill press, grinder, or anything else that you may put leverage on, or need stability for precision, won't move around while you are working. For model stuff the leverage issue may not be as critical, but when working on automotive stuff, many times having a solid mounted vise makes work MUCH easier. On the hobby side, if you are working on something very small, and bump the bench, it would be nice for the work piece not to move.

I am just finishing the construction of my garage, and have run pegboard 3/4 around the inner walls in a two foot strip. Of course, I got the pegboard given to me from a local store due to it's renovations, but I made good use of it. However, I agree with the general concensus- pegboard is expensive, the pegs are doubly so, storage on it is always make-do and unless you label or draw silouettes of what goes on what peg you never get it right again after pulling down a bunch of tools.I will be using mine ofr storage of shovels, brooms, cutters, trimmers, and such as well as my B&D Workmates, creeper, ladders, and such. But for your R/C tools like screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers- get a small Rubbermade roller toolchest. I use this for my R/C stuff, and when I go roadtrip it tosses in the back of the car neat and easy!

Set up a bench to suit your needs,. Primary consideration LIGHT.....shoot for natural light for matching and selecting colors. [8D] Peg boards are nice to have tools right where`you need them..,.providing you ever put back there[&:]. The magnetic strips are excellent...stick up a couple on the edge of a shelf right in front of you...pliers, wire snips, flat nose, & needle nose, forceps, angle tweezers, hemostats, punches, small screwdrivers and even track pins. [X(] Access to electrical outlets of course without having to fight the behind-the-furniture cords etc. A small vise....and a 10 lb hammer when that simple 2 minute assembly with Chinese instructions didn't work. Temperature is also important, not only for comfort to work, but also for various glues/cements and paints and curing/drying times. Fire extinguisher! Have a nice bar`light directly over your primary work area
and a magnifier with light ring comes in handy.

My "bench" working 6 yrs at SC~Military Museum was an old display case set on 4 blocks and back removed. Nice as was it had glass on top, which is great for small scale model work. It was 30 " wide and 6 ft long, which was ideal for reaching any tools and still plenty of room to work on 1;16 scale stuff. Inside the display case was ample room for tool parts, cleaning stuff, unused model parts, kits, paint, weathering and terrain materials, and more important, cut-aways, parts and sprues left over from other models. You don't have to spend a bunch on a work bench....just something that you can work IN COMFORT.

It will be a constant change for a while until you get everything where (you think) you want it...but then it will by YOUR EMPIRE[>:] "Don't bother me now honey..I'm holding two parts that have to wait for the glue to set..."


Good luck.

All the things theses guys have said, and get a real comfortable chair!


The Blitz











RCTankWars.com