Since covid I have just spread stuff out on a couple of tables behind my work bench. Now I’m using that table for other stuff and I don’t know what to do with all the stuff I accumulated. (I got serious about modeling again at the start of covid and have accumulated … a lot.
I don’t need any tips in organizing paint or painting supplies, I’ve pretty much got that down.
The basic tools that I keep out on my bench are fine also - tweezers, snips, files, glue.
But I have loads of other different kinds of things - several kinds of tapes, wires, PE tools, sculpting tools, larger sanding stuff. I bought one toolkit which helped, but most toolkits aren’t really made for this kind of stuff I think.
Sanding and putty, decals and other odd bits go in the big drawers. Small blue ones are fiddly spares.
I keep meaning to construct some sort of tape roll organizer, maybe one day.
Under the desk are a couple of storage boxes with dremel bits and some other stuff. I think mine are Stanley brand. They’ve got adjustable dividers and are meant for screws and stuff like that.
On a slightly more useful note - when I actually manage to put my tools where they belong - this turntable is very useful. Add bins and simple stands/holders to suit your needs.
Keeping like things together is about all I can manage. On top of the desk, the windowsill above, the desk drawers, a tool box, the cabinet below my spray booth, a rolling cart from Costco and a rolliing multi drawer cart that Rubbermaid used to make. I think “contain” is the best that I can do ( and only partially at that ).
Jack
I got an organizer from Akron Mills off of Amazon, I’ll drop a photo tomorrow morning. Works great, their stuff is a tad expensive, but all my tools find a home in it.
I have a fishing-tackle toolbox for my main tools (so I can take it to shows, and club nights), and a desk area in the living room with several styles of caddies and pegboard for bigger stuff. Then there’s several boxes with paints on/under the desk, and in my office a collapsible spray booth on the desk with a roll-out drawer-pedestal with all my sprayable (Tamiya) paints. Then there’s a large canvas tote with all the Evergreen plastic that lurks in a corner…
Like Tom, I have found that the most efficient organizer of my most-used hand tools is a plastic tackle box. I filled this box to go to a club members house for quarterly build days, and found that leaving these tools in the box and placing it on the floor next to me kept them at hand, but off my bench, and neatly stowed at all times.
And for various other tools that must be owned by the experienced modeler, I have a tool maker’s chest purchased from Micro-Mark and a set of drawers from Ikea -
Keeping all frequently used tools, front and center is my method. Two small tool holder racks, wood rack & two shoe holders re-purposed as cubby hole storage.
Just dump everything into a pile on my workbench, then scrape out a space about the size of the teacup saucer to work in. No need to fret or worry… I know it’s there somewhere… Only have to keep looking…
I wish Google Search would work at the workbench level! I literally couldn’t find the thing I was looking for yesterday until It showed-up when it wasn’t needed anymore today!
I literally couldn’t find the thing I was looking for yesterday until It showed-up when it wasn’t needed anymore today! 