My new workshop, 1:1 scale

[billn53]

It's been a few months since I last posted a WIP or RFI on this forum, there's a good reason for this. I recently retired and re-located from Alabama to Wisconsin. After my last build (1/72 Lockheed Electra 10, done up in Wisconsin Central Airlines livery) I packed up my workshop & stash and U-hauled the lot 600-miles north.

 

My previous workshop was functional but a bit cramped for space:

 

 

 

My new house has a finished-off lower level, complete with a small bedroom. Perfect for conversion into my new, larger workshop! Here's what it looked like before I moved in:

 

 

 

Notice the step and raised floor at the far end of the room. The reason for this was to give access to the window as an escape route, which code requires for any room to be called a bedroom. For my workshop, the step and platform had to go (as well as the chalkboard). Other changes made were to remove the carpet (take that, carpet monster!), install additional lighting, and add a high-capacity exhaust fan (don't want to get high on paint fumes).

 

Now for the big reveal!

 

First, the entry to my modeling cave:

 

 

 

The right side of the room has the main work table (8-ft) and wall shelving. The big black things hanging from the ceiling are photographers' LED panels to fully illuminate my work surface:

 

 

 

 

In the far left corner is my airbrush station. The ceiling exhaust fan can be seen overhead:

 

 

 

A smaller, secondary work table is directly opposite the main bench:

 

 

 

With my old eyes, good lighting is essential. Here's a closeup of the overhead LED panels:

 

 

 

I also installed smaller LED panels on flexible goosenecks, just over the bench:

 

 

 

There's plenty of storage available for my collection of paint:

 

 

 

 

 

I found this nifty piece of furniture on sale at Hobby Lobby. The large, lower drawers hold my supplies of sandpaper, sanding sticks, and weathering washes, pigments, & pastels. The smaller drawers are mostly empty for the moment 😉

 

 

 

The room also had a small, walk-in closet. I've added shelves to convert it into a storage area:

 

 

 

That's it! I'm all ready go get started on my first build in my new home. Except for one small thing....

 

I still need to unpack my stash!

 

 

 

Thanks for viewing!

[Robin-42]

Nice setup, all I see missing is a good stereo-and the clutter of proper work desk.😁

[billn53]

17 minutes ago, Robin-42 said:

...all I see missing is a good stereo-and the clutter of proper work desk.😁

I have an Apple HomePod mini on order. Clutter will take care of itself.

[Harold55]

Welcome neighbor!  What a fantastic work area/modeling cave.  This is really laid out nicely.  Question I have on what you are using as a spray booth as I am looking to pick one up.  I am absolutely envious of your setup.  And I am anxious to see how your completed kits get displayed.

[billn53]

11 minutes ago, Harold55 said:

Question I have on what you are using as a spray booth as I am looking to pick one up.  I am absolutely envious of your setup.  And I am anxious to see how your completed kits get displayed.

I've had the spray booth for many years, it was made by Paasche. 

I'm still trying to decide how to best display my models. The movers totally destroyed three of my bookcases, which previously held my collection. I'm looking at some inexpensive, assemble-it-yourself glass display cabinets as an option, depending on my much the movers reimburse me for my loss.

[Sky Keg]

Very nice Bill.  I need to step up my game and try and come close to what you have set up.  It looks great!!!!!! 

 

Mike

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Modeller's version of heaven.

[dnl42]

Nice workshop, dude! 

[Robin-42]

For cabinets, try the usual online used sites and auctions, there are usually a fair number of very well made commercial display cases going for peanuts in my part of the world. Can’t imagine it would be much different stateside.

[busnproplinerfan]

Bet you’ll be working out of a 1 square inch space on the table. Real nice set up.

[Harry Callahan]

Great hobby room, thats perfect and a dream of every modeller.

[Homer]

Iam very jealous, you have made an excellent job of it.👏

[spaddad]

Ikea has a good selection of units suitable for the display of models. Nice job on the den.

[franky boy]

Great work. I’m pretty damn jealous of that work space!

 

I need to find some of those panel lights as the lighting in my office is awful. 

 

Looking forward to seeing the master pieces come flowing out!

 

James

 

[Lord Riot]

Looking good! I have to share mine with the missus as it doubles as the home office/study room. 

 

You should show us that impressive stash though! I have about 50 kits, not sure what the average is? ...

[TonyW]

What a fabulous space. Take a good look at it all nice and tidy, it won't last if my modelling space is anything to go by!

 

Your lighting set up looks like heaven to me. I have good overhead daylight and a few LED desk lamps but nothing like the illumination you have installed.

 

Enjoy your retirement, you have certainly made a good start!

 

Tony.

[John_W]

Amazing. Wish I had one like it.

[Vulcanicity]

WOW - jealous!

[JohnT]

Brilliant. Where’s the coffee maker though? 

[Lord Riot]

54 minutes ago, JohnT said:

Brilliant. Where’s the coffee maker though? 

 

She's probably downstairs watching tv! 😂

[billn53]

The coffee maker is behind the bar:

 

 

and you are all invited over for a round on me.  Only requirement is you must help me unpack my stash!

 

 

[spaddad]

tasty

[IanC]

I'm amazed anyone slept in that room with those lurid lemon yellow walls...

 

I'm also jealous of your super new workspace. I'm still making do with a cutting mat on my study desk and a few drawers for paints and tools. 

[Kentavros76]

Wow this is the modeller's dreamland!!! 🤩

I wish you good health and many happy hours in your personal space!

[busnproplinerfan]

The Taj Modelhall