Modeling Room Ideas

[AeroplaneDriver]

Alright chaps, closing on the new house on Tuesday and did the walkthrough yesterday.  This is the room that will be my model room.  My thinking is workbench along the left wall with the window for lots of workspace and natural light.  Spray booth at the far end with venting out the end window.  Shelves/cases for models and books on the right wall.  The closet isn't very large so I'll need extra stash storage so may do a shelf behind the door for that.  Though there is other storage in the house if I need it. 

Lets hear other input and ideas though.  It's always been a dream to build a dedicated modeling 'studio' and this room is my blank-canvas chance to do it. 







Also while there yesterday we had visitor coming to check out the enormous peach tree in the back yard. 

[zenrat]

First thoughts are;

1) Window sills are quite low, if your bench runs across the window there is a risk of stuff falling down the window opening - attach a low backboard to the bench.
2) More power points.  Proper ones in the walls.  Don't plan to use gang plugs.
3) More lighting over the bench - downlights?
4) Nice floor.
5) Seriously, more power points.

[AeroplaneDriver]

First thoughts are;

1) Window sills are quite low, if your bench runs across the window there is a risk of stuff falling down the window opening - attach a low backboard to the bench.
2) More power points.  Proper ones in the walls.  Don't plan to use gang plugs.
3) More lighting over the bench - downlights?
4) Nice floor.
5) Seriously, more power points.

All good points Fred.  My plan so far includes a bench made by using three file/drawer cabinets I found at IKEA with a section of kitchen countertop cut to size on top creating the bench.  This is very similar to the workstation the previous owners had as a home office and I liked the look of it.  The countertop has a back section to it that will stop anything falling down the back.

The house has a nice 2010 addition on it but obviously this is in the main part built in the 50s.  Power outlets are scarce in all the old rooms.  I have an electrician mate so adding a few through the house is already in the plan.  I figure I need enough for compressor, several lights, chargers, laptop, music, tv, etc.

I already plan on track lighting above the bench area and probably over the area that will have shelves, or maybe recessed there. 

[The Rat]

Bar

[PR19_Kit]

In a model room you always need THREE times as many power points as you think you do..............

Don't ask me how I know this.....

[Rheged]

In a model room you always need THREE times as many power points as you think you do..............

Don't ask me how I know this.....

Madame R tells me that kitchens have  the same requirement too!

[NARSES2]

3) More lighting over the bench - downlights?

That's the crucial one for me. You can never have enough lighting.

Also try and look at a floor covering colour that might just help you find anything you drop onto it. I've a very dark "rubberised" mat under my bench and it is easier to find stuff dropped onto that then bits that bounce onto the light coloured carpet. My work area is in the guest bedroom.

[Old Wombat]

All the above but, especially, power points & lighting (down-lights or track lights with good, blue-white LED lighting).

We built our house with double the recommended number of power points in all rooms except the kitchen, which got triple, & we're still short!

The problem is that technology uses electricity & every new gadget needs its dedicated power point.

[The Rat]

"except the kitchen, which got triple, & we're still short!"

One socket that a lot of people miss is hiding in plain sight - on the stove. Most come with one, some with two. Had to point that out to friends who had own the stove for a few years and never noticed them.

[zenrat]

3) More lighting over the bench - downlights?

That's the crucial one for me. You can never have enough lighting.

Also try and look at a floor covering colour that might just help you find anything you drop onto it. I've a very dark "rubberised" mat under my bench and it is easier to find stuff dropped onto that then bits that bounce onto the light coloured carpet. My work area is in the guest bedroom.

My shed floor (where I work on my models) is concrete painted with light grey epoxy paint.  In retrospect this wasn't that good an idea as it is close to the colour of a lot of kit styrene.
I wanted a light colour to brighten the place up but bright yellow and white were not available.  Light grey was the lightest I could get.
Anyway, I would be tempted to leave the floor as it is.  If you keep it swept you are able to spot dropped parts fairly easilly on a hard shiny surface if you get right down low.

[NARSES2]

If you keep it swept you are able to spot dropped parts fairly easilly on a hard shiny surface if you get right down low.

I have no problem with getting down there, my knees start complaining when it's time to get back up again 

[zenrat]

If you keep it swept you are able to spot dropped parts fairly easilly on a hard shiny surface if you get right down low.

I have no problem with getting down there, my knees start complaining when it's time to get back up again 

Tell me about it.