OK Everyone, Let's Play "Let's See Your Work Bench". There Are Rules To the Game

I cheated, I just cleaned it off yesterday, haven't launched a major new project yet.

Lionel 252 repair in progress waiting on parts.

Clean bench is a sick mind.     Here's some, you pick which one you like(if any) 

Ok, I'll settle on this one...   

Oops..l cleaned it off weeks ago, and got buried in domestic chores...may set a new record for long-time absence of project or debris.

here is mine in a normal state. I'm not a neat freak by any means, but unless I'm working on a project when I'm downstairs, I keep it usable for when I go downstairs for a household repair.

and as a contrast...this is my late Uncle's workbench......

and after five hours yesterday I had it looking like this so my cousin is able to use it.

Uncle Jim did a LOT of work at this bench over the years.

I didn't clean up a thing.....was working on a Hudson when I saw this thread...

Multi purpose space...

I sub out train work, so my work bench(s) are all roll around for track, wiring, scenery,benchwork, etc, etc.

The top one is a cardiac cart repurposed.

Working in a rather large basement so my  work stations need to be portable.  Above and below

is an automotive over the fender work station.  Leg frame is perfect for supply caddys.  The kind we use on construction where ever there is  open 2" X lumber.

I also have a 2' X 8' rolling table to roll to wherever needed with vise, light and supplies.

As of 6PM today.  Instead of transferring this chaos upstairs into the layout room, it remains somewhat organized up there for minor emergency repairs and maintenance.

Bruce

More of a storage bench than anything else at the moment, although I'm happy to say most of those units are working.

I try to keep it organized 

Here's my mess.

Here is mine.

Cincytrains posted:

I try to keep it organized 

staged...lol     very nice....

brwebster posted:

As of 6PM today.  Instead of transferring this chaos upstairs into the layout room, it remains somewhat organized up there for minor emergency repairs and maintenance.

Bruce

nice work space with the window view ...

Mine tends to the edge of the layout.....

Here's mine

Cincytrains, you have to swear on a Lionel repair manual you didn't clean up that desk. Don

This is a workbench I just built for my girlfriend. She's going to build a model of a suspension bridge near our home.  She's an artist by trade and she said she's always wanted her own workspace.  Since she's going all out for the layout we're building, it's the least I could do.

I'll be installing a vise where that green paint can is sitting.  It might not be obvious from the photo, but the longer of the two sides of the workbench is just under 8 feet.  

This space had been a 3rd-floor storage area for the past 135 years.  I think creating an artist's and train repairer's workbench is a much better use of it.  But, then again, I'm biased...  

Steven J. Serenska

You guys are all way too neat! 

Rod

Workbench and layout all in one! 

Tom 

Don, EddieG had a similar topic back at the end of February, to which I responded. Per your wishes I snapped some new shots today. I don't just have one workbench, I have three. I would probably have more if I could. Here are the before and after pairs:

This is supposed to be my main workbench. It has improved quite a bit since February, though at one point it was far worse! Note the amount of tools hanging on the pegboard.

This isn't supposed to even be a workbench. This is my dispatch desk, and is moving toward a paperwork only area (slowly).

This is where electronic projects happen. Major improvements since the end of February.

Upstairs where I do paint, detailing and decal work.....

And in the basement with the layout. Heavy tear downs, electrical and modifications.

Saw the post and took a picture.  I did straighten it up a few days ago.

 A few years back I took down my shed to make a bigger one that would include shelves for the outdoor RR.

Because of the weather, and lack of a crew, I built a new building and threw together a workbench inside that I thought I could use for repairs outside on the fly. Well that workbench was nothing more than another shelf to store stuff on. So I finally got around to cleaning it off. I still plan to do work in there someday. I threw a piece of formica quickly on the surface to make it easier to clean. I didn't take the time to build up and cover the edges. I know I may regret that later.

 I feel satisfied for now that I can finally have a place outside to do quick repairs.

I need to get a shelf for the sterio and maybe a bigger work area. At least I finally got somewhere to start.

Wow.  Some nice work benches here. I have a temporary card table set up.

My mancave mess.

I don't even have a work bench currently. Though I may end up putting one out in our garage since I need a work bench for a couple of hobbies.

Here's what mine looked like when I installed it a couple of months ago.  It's a bit more messy now.

Dean

Such an interesting look into my fellow hobbyists' creativity and approaches to workbenches and workareas!

My workplaces exist in two approaches:

First, at home, in my basement, alongside the layout itself, projects get temporarily stored, as they dry and cure, alongside my worktable (its light's armature you can see on the left of the photo.)

I never work on just one project at a time; instead, I work on several, as you can see here stacked above the chair, letting them each have ample time to set-up, and then they are put in-place.

My second approach to having a workplace and workbench/table area for modeling/layout work is to take the whole work-station on-the-road, in small suitcases...

...for easy and sturdy (so that nothing falls all over the place and makes an expensive mess) access directly near the layout itself. (See black case in upper right corner of photo, here...

...and you can see a pile of supplies on the floor left of the layout and on the layout itself, here...

When I worked on Lionel's layout @FAO Schwarz, 5th Avenue, NYC, all the tools and ingredients got piled right next to the layout and directly on it, as we worked, with black cloth napkins  protecting finished items from drips and mistakes, with items being affixed and snow-weathered, etc. directly on the layout itself. There was no room to work any other way, considering we were working among other displays of products, so we had to be careful, for sure. But it was a whole lot of fun - great fun - and a privilege, in my mind. Organization, orderliness, and neatness were absolutely key.

So, that has been my approach to having a workplace and workbench.

FrankM.

P.S. The snowy rooftops were crafted at-home, out of acrylic plates, however, as inserts, which we brought to the store and emplaced, to save Lionel money when we transitioned the layout, back-and-forth, from a Holiday theme to Springtime.

I also have multiple work locations.  One is a true "work bench" in my garage which I tend to use for larger projects, both hobby and home-related.  As for hobby work, this is where I do most of my "building" projects, Kadee installations and "3-rail scale" conversions...

The second is more of a "table" located in my basement that I use solely for hobby-related work such as weathering, detailing, small electrical repairs/projects and locomotive maintenance.  This one has a wall-mounted TV above and mini fridge nearby (that is well stocked with adult beverages)...so it tends to get a LOT of use!!

J Daddy posted:

Wow.  Some nice work benches here. I have a temporary card table set up.

Such amazing work from a card table 

Clem

Right now I don't have a work bench because everything is packed up somewhere until I get the new basement finished enough to start a new layout.

Compact......but everything I need.

Maybe a little house painting, lawn mower repair, New kitchen planning, bathroom remodel, etc.  has crossed this work area.  Model railroad has been on the back burner for some time.

Cleaned, defrosted, and restocked the freezer this afternoon. 

This is about as messy as it gets.

Alan Graziano

Just took a few shots in the garage where I work....

Peter

Somehow, my work area always ends up being 6"x12"

Bob