My Workroom

Gallery Article by Benny Attar on July 3 2003

 

Before I married I made it clear to my wife to be that whatever would be, I would always have a workroom, even if we were living in a tent  (I also hinted that the alternative might be a mistress).  The ideal workroom would have running water and a minibar for the beer, but I am content with this small room on the upper floor of the apartment, too small for a bedroom but an ideal little den.  The first requirement was installation of an air-conditioner, essential in our hot climate, more so since it is a rooftop apartment.  A small 1Kw wall-mounted unit does the job.  The workbench is self-made, 1200mm wide by 600mm deep by 750mm high, and designed so all it's parts fit on one 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of 3/4 inch plywood which I ordered from a DIY outlet, cut to order. Putting the table together was like assembling a kit.  There is another homemade bench in the workroom, complete with drill stand and vise for non-modeling work.  There is a full height cupboard on the side of the room which is not visible in the pictures. Space is provided on the worktable for a mini-stereo - I like to listen to music while I work. 

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Lighting is very important.  A flourescent light is fixed under the shelf which illuminates the work area.  An adjustable PL light is clamped to the bench to provide directional lighting directly onto the workpiece.  PL lights are superior to halogen or incandescent fixtures because they dissipate less heat and this is important when the light is close to your face.

Paints are stored in a custom-made wooden set of drawers (just plywood, glue, nails and paint - the drawer slides are plastic corner edging from a DIY place).  Tools are stored in a set of plastic drawers from the same DIY source, more frequently used ones are in a plastic drawer organizer from the kitchen utensils department in the supermarket.  Paint is stirred in disposable styrene cups using shishlik skewers.  Disposable styrene plates are a source of sheet for scratchbuilding parts.  Toothpicks are used to hold small parts in foam plastic trays from frozen foods. Spice jars hold paint thinners. The comfy chair is a birthday present from my ever-patient wife.  Not cheap but a comfortable environment is half the job.

I know workrooms don’t usually look as tidy as mine but I had a day off work and spring-cleaned the place.

There are a couple of problems in my tiny empire - first, I don't have enough free time to spend in it, and second  the "Are you going to leave me alone again the whole evening" look I get from the better half when I go upstairs. I counter by reminding her that a man with a hobby will never cheat on his wife - his free time is too valuable.  

Benny Attar

      

Photos and text © by Benny Attar