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[Dave_S.]

I am currently putting an indoor model building workshop. The room is quite small, 7ftx8ft, has an inward opening door, a radiator under the window, and currently has my desk in it, which I need. I previously had three kitchen cupboards with the old kitchen worktop on it as a bench, and it worked OK, but wasn't very sturdy (the units were reclaimed when we had the kitchen replaced a couple of years ago.


The worktop is/was 2ft x 5ft 6" - quite a decent size for work in on, but in practice I spent far more time looking for tools, parts, etc. that I had been using until a minute  ago but had vanished into the general clutter - as with that much space, it simply had to be used!


I am thinking of buying a wooden workbench, but would be interested to read other modellers' opinions of what constitutes a perfect model boat making workbench.


I drove an hour each way to the nearest branch of Axminster Tools (High Wycombe) but returned empty handed as the benches I had been considering on-line looked rather small when I saw them in the flesh (wood?). I have also been looking at Greenfields wood store on line, as their benches are far cheaper than the very sturdy ones from Axminster - but as I am only building average sized model boats, I don't think I need to buy a professional heavy duty bench (lovely though they are!).


I am also considering that a smaller workbench would leave room for a bit more storage, which would hopefully impose some order on my clutter.


Your opinions, recommendations & experiences would be most welcome before I splash out.

[Colin Bishop]

Have you considered a computer desk? I have an Alphason Dallas desk as my main worktop:

https://www.ryman.co.uk/dallas-aw12289-computer-workstation-h740xw1450xd600mm

It is very sturdy and I have put a sheet of 15mm MDF board on top and then a scrificial sheet of white faced hardboard.

If you want something a bit smaller then the Maryland desk is an alternative:

https://www.ryman.co.uk/alphason-maryland-computer-office-desk-beech?___store=ryman_uk_main_en_gb&refSrc=153405&nosto=pdp-reccs-bought

My workshop is 10x6 and I find the storage that comes with the desk incredibly useful.

The higher worktop on the left is a kitchen unit which I can stand at.

Colin

[Dave_S.]

Thank you, that's another idea to investigate - I already have a computer desk with shelves in use as a building area, so another wouldn't look too out of place.

[tonyH]

When I fitted out my shed some 18 years ago using some old kitchen units, I used 1 inch MDF for the worktop and faced it off with proper marmoleum. Lino works rather well, doesn't blunt tools, takes cuts and can easily be scraped off and lasts donkeys years.

 

[kinmel]

I use the Ikea "Linnmon" range of worktops, cheap enough to throw away when you need to. They come in different lengths, and you can support them on screw-in legs, drawer sets or cupboards. I even keep a couple of tops and sets of legs ready for quick assembly when I need more worktop space.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/products/?q=Linnmon

[Dave_S.]

The Linnmon range does look interesting - and cheap!

[Colin Bishop]

The Linnmon range does look interesting - and cheap!

The cost would go up if you want to add storage underneath.

Colin

[Dave_S.]

Not if some of the storage units I have salvaged from recent house refurbs will fit! At the moment I am most in favour of using an Ikea computer desk which matches my current one, but without the top storage. Still open to ideas, though.

[cos918]

I Dave
Have you thought about building your own. Some CLS 2"/4" and 18mm ply top. What I did ,built like a tank .
John

[Dave_S.]

It's a good idea, John, but I haven't the space to cut and build - not to mention that fact that I am basically too lazy to do that. I also need some storage built in, which stretches my very basic cabinet making skills well beyond breaking point!

[Ralph]

Would you have space for some wall mounted storage (kitchen cabinets perhaps) above a workbench?  I used to find them invaluable for bits and pieces when I had an indoor workshop with plenty of ceiling height.


For a worksurface I've always used cheap 15mm melamine coated chipboard, 600mm deep by whatever length suited.  When one side gets too battered I just turn it over and get another 3 or 4 years worth of use.  At the moment this sits on top of old kitchen base units which are my main storage now.



Ralph

[Dave_S.]

Sadly not much space above the bench as there is a shelf for my boats there - nowhere else to put them!

[ChrisF]

Funnily enough your original setup sounds very much like my existing one!

I'm using our smallest bedroom which is a similar size to your room and with a radiator under the window. I bought a couple of cheap 500mm wide kitchen base units off EBay for storage and to support a worktop with a sacrificial MDF covering on top of that. I usually work standing up and the gap between the units allows the heat from the radiator to come into the room and provides storage on the floor.

It works very well and I've produced 5 scratch built models so far with the biggest being 33". My scroll saw sits at one end and is moved to the middle when being used.

The room is also used for household storage so is a bit tight in there but one day I'm going to have a sort out to make more space. It's great being in the house though!

So either stick with your original setup or go for the computer desk option as long as it is the right height for the way you work.

Chris

[french dave]

I do small/winter work in the smallest bedroom and my workbench is a bureau with the fold down flap as the working surface and built in storage at 'bench 'level for small items and below either, a cupboard in my case, or drawers. A bonus is that it can all be tidied away.  Old bureaus often turn up on fb marketplace for a song.