Anyone built their own workshop?

Model Mutt · January 02, 2013, 12:20:25 PM

Starting to convert an old 12´ by 12´ coal shed into a workshop away from the house to build/display models and to store kits. Already got a couple of work benches and some shelves and started to build a spray boothfor paiting. Apart from cabinets for dislaying is there anything else i´d really need to be able to build in my own workshop?

Father Ennis · January 02, 2013, 02:02:41 PM

You shouldn't forget about proper lightening for your work area and use one of your workbenchs for permanently attaching your power tools(drill press,etc.) . Something I really like is my wall mounted paint rack. I have everything right there as I work. It is very simplely made. Half of a sheet of plywood,with shelves made of wood strips and spacer blocks to fit my various brands of paint. Hope this is a help ...

chrisonord · January 02, 2013, 02:36:34 PM

Make sure you have plenty of ventilation in there too if your going to be spraying anything an extractor would be a wise investment too. Also some form of heating will be a must.
Chris

deathjester · January 02, 2013, 05:56:21 PM

First things first: security. Make sure that coalshed opens for you, and you alone! I would fit a nice strong door behind the existing door, so to anyone peeking into your garden, it just appears to be an old coalshed - and who would store cool stuff in a rickety old shed???

Rheged · January 03, 2013, 02:15:43 AM

In summary:-

Secure-------a soundly fastening door. DJ has the right attitude here. Secure against the worst of the weather too.

Comfortable-------Hearing/ventilation to stay warm in winter and cool in summer (assuming we get one this year).

Healthy------- Good light (artificial or ideally natural) and excellent ventilation

Then of course you need power points, a workbench at the right height to suit the COMFORTABLE chair you will install and possibly a coffee making machine.

Old, discarded kitchen units are a handy basis for your construction.

Dizzyfugu · January 03, 2013, 04:27:27 AM

And never underestimate humidity - both from the outside (esp. in winter), but also through yourself.

Gondor · January 03, 2013, 04:57:41 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on January 03, 2013, 04:27:27 AM
And never underestimate humidity - both from the outside (esp. in winter), but also through yourself.

Also a consideratioon if you are going to be spraying paint.

Shelving and lots of it is also a good idea

Gondor

Model Mutt · January 03, 2013, 08:02:03 AM

thanks guys, already got a couple of cupboards and drawers ready to put it once its all been boarded out inside and made secure. Heating will probably have to be an electric heater so it´d only be used when i´m in there and lighting will have to be electrical as theres no windows. Also got end to end shelves and racking ready to go straight in. The workbenches are roughly 170 cm x 40 cm and theres 2 of those so theres plenty of room for dedicated areas on the benches.

deathjester · January 03, 2013, 08:31:57 AM

Glad to hear you're making a excellent start on it! The guys are spot on about the health issues too - good ventilation is a must, as is good lighting (perhaps some of the 'daylight' simulating bulbs?), and an adequate supply of goggles, surgical gloves, and dust masks, along with a good thick apron?

Model Mutt · January 03, 2013, 08:40:08 AM

that was going to be my next question as i was looking at these the other day, are they actually any good? i may have been looking at something different but they looked like normal bulbs but with a blue tint to them. Ventilation wise i was going to use an old car radiator fan in the back of the spray booth to draw out the fumes and dust into a pipe leading to outside.

deathjester · January 03, 2013, 09:26:45 AM

I know some of the other members use those bulbs - I keep meaning to get one to try! Rad fan - good idea, but I would put a nice strong close mesh guard over it!

Model Mutt · January 03, 2013, 09:30:45 AM

i was thinking either a chicken wire guard stapled to the inside of the booth or a thin sponge layer in front of the fan but i´ll probably go for the mesh option

deathjester · January 03, 2013, 09:35:19 AM

I was thinking of if you were to trip, stick out a hand to stop yourself, that a super rigid wire 'cage' around the thing would be best!

Go4fun · January 03, 2013, 12:50:15 PM

I don't know how air tight you shed is but some natural ventilation to keep the place from smelling like, well, an old garden shed turned to a modeling shed might be good. One of those window fans with the accordian sides just to let air in with an heater/AC filter over it would work. I'd place it high and put a grate over it to keep the low-lifes and snoops away. Also nice on those hot(?) Summer(?) day.

Rheged · January 03, 2013, 01:33:26 PM

Quote from: deathjester on January 03, 2013, 09:26:45 AM
I know some of the other members use those bulbs - I keep meaning to get one to try! Rad fan - good idea, but I would put a nice strong close mesh guard over it!

Two thoughts

My mother uses a daylight bulb for illuminating her embroidery. It seems a "good thing" and the colours are "true"

Look at old kitchens being stripped out. You could get an old cooker hood and extractor fan for next to nothing! It would make the technical bit of a spray booth, and could act as a ventilator on a hot day----if we get any. Talk to local kitchen fitting companies, you could probably get a full working unit for a few bottles/cans of ale if the fitters get what you are doing.