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OK so I'm moving out of my current home I just purchased a three bedroom on 1.5 acres, right now I work on a really crappy computer desk that is very hard to dust off and really doesn't hold much space so I have to assemble the models on a different table then I have the workbench in the room to do mo right now I work on a really crappy computer desk that is very hard to dust off and really doesn't hold much space so I have to assemble the models on a different table then I have the workbench in the room also for anything else. mainly this process about a solution for a table to do painting and possible modeling on. I looked at drafting tables which are very appealing to me because I also draw and paint that would be a two birds with one stone deal however the nice sturdy ones are about $400+ What do most of you guys do your painting on if you have a dedicated room for painting. I'm sure most of us would rather buy more models and pants then spend money on a table however I feel the table that I spend as much time at it it should be practical and useful. I really like the hobby benches they have at GW's maybe look into finding something like that

i have an old desk & a 2nd hand writing bureau (which is really great).

I always wanted one of those roll top desks that I could close and protect my models from any dust. Instead I have one room that no pets are allowed into. It sorta works to keep the dust away.

Writing bureau has the advantage of a work surface.


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Guildy's Workroom

The table is a cheap door. You can sit it on saw horses, or, to get the right height for a desk, mount it on the wall like I did. I used a couple of 1X2's and some brackets (for added support). Also the bookcase you can kinda see on the left, was just the right height to aid here. I just nailed the 1X2s into the wall studs at the correct height.

There'd be a lot more surface area to use if I hadn't put up the shelving on the wall, and if I cleaned the desk but anyway, it works great and wasn't very expensive. <$30 USD

Ikea? I see on their site a couple of tabletop/ desks that would work nicely, IMHO, for not a lot of money. I think that you would what to keep a work surface separate from a drawing surface, you wouldn't want to dang up a nice drawing table with knife cuts and spilled paint, plus cleaning up and putting away every time that you wanted to switch up uses.
Second hand shops, one sometime finds gold in these shops, all they may need is a little love.
Homemade. Like Guildenstern's area, self built is way that you could go. The only thing that I could think of is make it strong/sturdier and big then you think that you need. It's never enough =)

I second the old door idea, though you'll want to keep in mind that a hollow core door probably wouldn't last too long. You can buy folding table legs, and voila!

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions, I will be looking around for writing desk and keep then keep my art station separate by purchasing a drafting table eventually. Although cut marks wouldn't really be an issue because I do most of my assembly on the workbench standing up. But the fact that it is a pain to clean everything up every time I wanted to switch projects is the dealbreaker I really appreciate all your helpful suggestions. This sent me on the right track. However for the next 2 mo i will be stuck with my computer desk.... Moving is expensive and it's made my hobby come to a stand still. I will be moved in on the 21-23 hopefully finished by 25 and back to my life.at some point between now and then I will try to get an introduction up ASAP

Try ikea - they have great desks. Not sure of the dimensions of your room.

My painting table came from an office surplus place; it's about 4' x 3' (used to be bigger, but it was sawn down to fit the space), solid oak an inch thick. Cost ... not much at all. On that, I've got one of GW's painting stations - I used to use it in my old place for painting in the living room with the TV on, but I still use it now. I have the models I'm working on and the paints I'm using right now, and all the other paints are on a carousel at the side of the table.

I think it might be worth looking around for 2nd hand furniture stores and getting the best sturdy table you can find. A good table makes all the difference.P.s. make sure you get a good comfy chair that won't kill you after a couple of hours also!

Rojohiii wrote:
I looked at drafting tables which are very appealing to me because I also draw and paint that would be a two birds with one stone deal however the nice sturdy ones are about $400+

IKEA sell really good trestle tables which you can angle for drawing, and IIRC they even had a table top with a light box built in. I'm not sure how prominent IKEA is in the US. Personally I think the most important thing is to have somewhere where it isn't going to be hassle to spray and make a mess (well ventilated, no carpet), and to have really good natural light.

Currently, I use a writing desk/bureau kind of thing (so that my kids don't kill all my stuff, or themselves).

This was it about a year ago, I've since added a truckload of stuff to it, but you get the idea;
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/596257.page#6856248

We are about to extend the house though and build a child free space (FINALLY), so I will have the means to really build a proper setup. I don't know exactly what I am going to do yet, but I do have some key concepts that I want to incorporate;

1. Separate assembly/modelling, painting, airbrushing areas
2. Variable height, or fixed standing height painting desk (or something), they key point being to try and have the desk height at around chest height while seated, for better arm stability (I'd love to hear ideas about this).
3. Piped compressed air and air extraction, the room will be above a new garage, so I can keep a big boy compressor down there and pipe up to it (WTS: Iwata smart jet)
4. Shelving for display and storage
5. All of the lighting

I was looking at the IKEA desks, but they don't seem to have exactly what I am after, so I will probably get it custom built

Will be ~18 months until then, and the cupboard is still holding up well enough!

what I did was buy a cheap but large desk (with drawers) from IKEA and then bought those plastic drawer systems from target/walmart the small ones should fit most paint pots. Then if your willing to drop an extra $40 buy a large tool box and keep overflow items or stuff that you want to bring somewhere. Hope this helps!