messy worktable
- Thread starter Lowrianne
- Start date
Chrispy
Active member
I had this problem a while ago, too, having upwards of 30 jars of paint now.
My suggestion is to take a look at the biggest jar of paint you have lengthwise and
heigth and go get a tool box like me. I think I got mine for about $5 so DO NOT
think that price makes it better. I fit all of mine in and still have room for more!
One last thing, if you get confused, put a dot of paint on the cap, since this method
will not allow you to see the sides of it.
My suggestion is to take a look at the biggest jar of paint you have lengthwise and
heigth and go get a tool box like me. I think I got mine for about $5 so DO NOT
think that price makes it better. I fit all of mine in and still have room for more!
One last thing, if you get confused, put a dot of paint on the cap, since this method
will not allow you to see the sides of it.
I\'ve just moved to a larger place 
and set things up so that my painting area is a proper office-style desk, with a drawer unit. All my paints go in the top drawer and I just bring out what I\'m likely to need for the minis I\'m working on (or at least that\'s the theory, in practice I expect they\'ll still end up all over the desktop)
This works well for paints which have the name on top of the jar (Miniature Paints in the UK do this), not so well with Citadel or any others where you have to look at the side to know what it is!
and set things up so that my painting area is a proper office-style desk, with a drawer unit. All my paints go in the top drawer and I just bring out what I\'m likely to need for the minis I\'m working on (or at least that\'s the theory, in practice I expect they\'ll still end up all over the desktop)This works well for paints which have the name on top of the jar (Miniature Paints in the UK do this), not so well with Citadel or any others where you have to look at the side to know what it is!
When I first moved into my house six years ago I had the opportunity to convert an area specifically into a miniature painting area. Numerous shelves, a closet-maid organizer, angled counter top, and multi-tiered paint rack make my work area neat and functional.
I don\'t expect everyone to go as overboard as I did, but if the opportunity presents itself you won\'t regret it
Here\'s some pictures:
http://games.necrosys.com/minis/lair
Mike McCuen
aka, Sildrotha
I don\'t expect everyone to go as overboard as I did, but if the opportunity presents itself you won\'t regret it
Here\'s some pictures:
http://games.necrosys.com/minis/lair
Mike McCuen
aka, Sildrotha
Duende
New member
It depends..
It\'s also how well you use whatever space you have. Both my husband and I are mini painters and we both have our own work areas. We each have the same hobby table (gotten at the local Wal-Mart) which are the same size, features (like an outlet strip, brushholders, etc.). The difference is that his looks like a cyclone hit it, and mine\'s nice and neat. Mine gets regularly tidied up and organized but his has stuff all over, honestly, I don\'t know how he finds anything on there, and his workable area is only a few inches by a few inches. How he gets his stuff done, I\'ll never know. I have plenty of space on mine because one thing I do that he doesn\'t is called \"putting stuff away\".
So not only is it important what space you have for your hobbys, but also how well you use it.
It\'s also how well you use whatever space you have. Both my husband and I are mini painters and we both have our own work areas. We each have the same hobby table (gotten at the local Wal-Mart) which are the same size, features (like an outlet strip, brushholders, etc.). The difference is that his looks like a cyclone hit it, and mine\'s nice and neat. Mine gets regularly tidied up and organized but his has stuff all over, honestly, I don\'t know how he finds anything on there, and his workable area is only a few inches by a few inches. How he gets his stuff done, I\'ll never know. I have plenty of space on mine because one thing I do that he doesn\'t is called \"putting stuff away\".
So not only is it important what space you have for your hobbys, but also how well you use it.
No Such Agency
New member
paint organizing
Lowrianne: how about a spice rack? I don\'t know what\'s available locally for you but it might be a good way to organize paint bottles so you can easily see the colours. Probably cheap too. Of course, I just use a cardboard box, so don\'t listen to me...
Sildrotha: Wow, you need to start attending MA (Minis Anonymous) meetings ;-)
Lowrianne: how about a spice rack? I don\'t know what\'s available locally for you but it might be a good way to organize paint bottles so you can easily see the colours. Probably cheap too. Of course, I just use a cardboard box, so don\'t listen to me...
Sildrotha: Wow, you need to start attending MA (Minis Anonymous) meetings ;-)
I am thinking maybe I want to go to Ikea and see what they have in the way of organizational goodies.
My husband got me the complete set of paints for Christmas. I have been trying to keep them in the trays provided, but they lie at a tilt and I am noticing that several of the bottles leak that way, adhereing the bottle to the tray and then getting it all over my hands.
Of course, the cats walking to and fro seeking what they may devour hasn\'t helped either. It is always fascinating to be cleaning out the litter box and find one of my partially painted minis buried alive.
I like the shelves that Sildrotha has. I think with some rearrangement of our hobby/computer room, I can get the table moved and set up better. I was thinking of maybe a tiered lazy susan, but I can see the little jars flying off hither and yon.
My husband got me the complete set of paints for Christmas. I have been trying to keep them in the trays provided, but they lie at a tilt and I am noticing that several of the bottles leak that way, adhereing the bottle to the tray and then getting it all over my hands.
Of course, the cats walking to and fro seeking what they may devour hasn\'t helped either. It is always fascinating to be cleaning out the litter box and find one of my partially painted minis buried alive.
I like the shelves that Sildrotha has. I think with some rearrangement of our hobby/computer room, I can get the table moved and set up better. I was thinking of maybe a tiered lazy susan, but I can see the little jars flying off hither and yon.
hobby paint organizer
I have been poking around Ebay and found this today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1718981342
I do not have one so i can not vouch for how well it works, but I recalled reading your message here yesterday and thought I would drop the link in so you could check it out. There is also a 40 paint version.
I have been poking around Ebay and found this today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1718981342
I do not have one so i can not vouch for how well it works, but I recalled reading your message here yesterday and thought I would drop the link in so you could check it out. There is also a 40 paint version.
Goodwinpaints
New member
I use two large tackle boxes with large storage areas in the top. Since I work both at home and travel to conventions with my stuff this works well for me, as I don\'t have to pack/unpack.
And Mike, yer gonna scare that poor painter away with that lair. lol
And Mike, yer gonna scare that poor painter away with that lair. lol
Scare me? I WANT that lair! I noticed an airbrush (or what looks like one). Do people use airbrushes on minis? I have never used one, but I would imagine it to be hard, nay impossible on something so small.
I have taken a number of suggestion on organization and my table is much better, but still awaiting the amazing twirly thing that will hold my paints and brushes.
I have also wondered how many minis in process most people have going? I count 25 on my table in various states of glued, primed, partially painted, and awaiting inspiration.
I have taken a number of suggestion on organization and my table is much better, but still awaiting the amazing twirly thing that will hold my paints and brushes.
I have also wondered how many minis in process most people have going? I count 25 on my table in various states of glued, primed, partially painted, and awaiting inspiration.
Painting
I normally have over 50-75 minis waiting to be painted as I collect lots of different armies. I use a computer desk (minus the computer) to paint at and use the keyboard draw. This way I can simply slide my painting area away when it is not in use. This idea does not leave you much room for paints and stuff though and most of the time I am working in a tiny space.
I normally have over 50-75 minis waiting to be painted as I collect lots of different armies. I use a computer desk (minus the computer) to paint at and use the keyboard draw. This way I can simply slide my painting area away when it is not in use. This idea does not leave you much room for paints and stuff though and most of the time I am working in a tiny space.
more tips - eyedropper bottles
Hey all and Lowriane,
I just wrote the following to another list I am on, but since its an organizing tip I thought I would post it here - I am explaining cuz I am too lazy to rewrite it for this particular topic. Anyway... enjoy for what its worth.
---------------------------------------------
There seemed to be some interest in this and as I have just recvd my shipment of 0.5 ounce (15cc) bottles from Western Plastics, I thought I would comment.
Western Plastics http://www.western-plastics.com/ (thanks for the info Deanne)- impression: totally cool. Nice folks. Ordered stuff on Tues and it came the following Monday, COD via UPS.
100 .5 oz bottles, 100 dropper inserts, 100 caps = $24 plus shipping.
why did I do this?:
I started with a set of citadel paints in the little pots. They worked fine until I used the same bottle (shake, open, repeat) a few times - then as you all know they start to get gunked up with paint in the threads and cap. Also if I wasn\'t real careful putting the cap back on I would invariably drip paint on my hand from the cap. Another hazard of the gunky threads - dried paint flecks. I use palette paper to mix my colors and getting bits of dried paint in my little paint puddles is no fun. Also getting the paint outta the pots to mix with other colors - lots o\' toothpicks and wasted paints and paint on me and everything - hey I am uncoordinated I guess.
Then I got a set of Vallejo paints that come in the eye dropper bottles. Wow, what a difference. Really easy to measure out the paints onto the palette, very clean - no fuss no muss.
Transfer procedure:
Ok so now I just finished transferring the Citadel paints to the .5 oz. bottles. First off, the bottles are exactly the same size as the Vallejo bottles - which to me is a good thing, being retentive and all. I will admit the transfer process is a bit of a pain and I only had like 20 colors to move. So, y\'all with the 100+ paints might want to give it a skip or only move a few at a time.
I found that with the inks it really pays to use a funnel. They are really too fluid to free-hand pour. I promise you will end up with half the ink in the sink if you try it sans funnel. The regular paints I just slowly poured without assistance of a 3rd party device. I then added a bit of water to the paint pot and shook it like mad then poured the rest in the bottle. I made labels on the computer using return address labels with the manufacturer and color name (as I had Citadel, and some Decor and Americana paints as well). On the bottles with the inks I took a black permanent pen and colored the cap so I will be able to pick them out easy.
Everything looks so neat and orderly - I can\'t wait to get painting tonight!
Hey all and Lowriane,
I just wrote the following to another list I am on, but since its an organizing tip I thought I would post it here - I am explaining cuz I am too lazy to rewrite it for this particular topic. Anyway... enjoy for what its worth.
---------------------------------------------
There seemed to be some interest in this and as I have just recvd my shipment of 0.5 ounce (15cc) bottles from Western Plastics, I thought I would comment.
Western Plastics http://www.western-plastics.com/ (thanks for the info Deanne)- impression: totally cool. Nice folks. Ordered stuff on Tues and it came the following Monday, COD via UPS.
100 .5 oz bottles, 100 dropper inserts, 100 caps = $24 plus shipping.
why did I do this?:
I started with a set of citadel paints in the little pots. They worked fine until I used the same bottle (shake, open, repeat) a few times - then as you all know they start to get gunked up with paint in the threads and cap. Also if I wasn\'t real careful putting the cap back on I would invariably drip paint on my hand from the cap. Another hazard of the gunky threads - dried paint flecks. I use palette paper to mix my colors and getting bits of dried paint in my little paint puddles is no fun. Also getting the paint outta the pots to mix with other colors - lots o\' toothpicks and wasted paints and paint on me and everything - hey I am uncoordinated I guess.
Then I got a set of Vallejo paints that come in the eye dropper bottles. Wow, what a difference. Really easy to measure out the paints onto the palette, very clean - no fuss no muss.
Transfer procedure:
Ok so now I just finished transferring the Citadel paints to the .5 oz. bottles. First off, the bottles are exactly the same size as the Vallejo bottles - which to me is a good thing, being retentive and all.
I will admit the transfer process is a bit of a pain and I only had like 20 colors to move. So, y\'all with the 100+ paints might want to give it a skip or only move a few at a time.I found that with the inks it really pays to use a funnel. They are really too fluid to free-hand pour. I promise you will end up with half the ink in the sink if you try it sans funnel. The regular paints I just slowly poured without assistance of a 3rd party device. I then added a bit of water to the paint pot and shook it like mad then poured the rest in the bottle. I made labels on the computer using return address labels with the manufacturer and color name (as I had Citadel, and some Decor and Americana paints as well). On the bottles with the inks I took a black permanent pen and colored the cap so I will be able to pick them out easy.
Everything looks so neat and orderly - I can\'t wait to get painting tonight!
T
Thri-Keen Priest
Guest
Messy Workspace
You want tips on keeping a clean workspace? Sorry! Can\'t help ya! I have a special desk devoted solely to mini-painting and it\'s *completely* covered with paint bottles, bits, spray cans, cups filled with brushes, files, knives, toothbrushes, etc. I\'ve got arouind 150 semi-painted models in production at any given time and at least 2000 models completely untouched! The drawers of my desk are filled with books, bits, more models, trays of basing materials, power tools (used ONLY for minis,) lists of minis I want to order, putty, glue, wire brushes, wire... in short, it\'s a disaster area. Live with it.
You want tips on keeping a clean workspace? Sorry! Can\'t help ya! I have a special desk devoted solely to mini-painting and it\'s *completely* covered with paint bottles, bits, spray cans, cups filled with brushes, files, knives, toothbrushes, etc. I\'ve got arouind 150 semi-painted models in production at any given time and at least 2000 models completely untouched! The drawers of my desk are filled with books, bits, more models, trays of basing materials, power tools (used ONLY for minis,) lists of minis I want to order, putty, glue, wire brushes, wire... in short, it\'s a disaster area. Live with it.
Paintier 80 Craft & Hobby Paint Carrousel
Okay, I bought it and WOW, do I like it. It is a bit taller than I thought it would be, and it does store my brushes. I think I may move the brushes back to the mug where they were before. I like the lazy-susan part so it turns nicely.
For my work table, it is perfect! (using an old kitchen table with no drawers and such.)
Okay, I bought it and WOW, do I like it. It is a bit taller than I thought it would be, and it does store my brushes. I think I may move the brushes back to the mug where they were before. I like the lazy-susan part so it turns nicely.
For my work table, it is perfect! (using an old kitchen table with no drawers and such.)
Bent Brush
New member
I just packed my paint table, took me 2 hours.
I would think that classifies as a bit over crouded.
I would think that classifies as a bit over crouded.
M
McAnally
Guest
I have two links that might help. They were both posted on Minipainters list some time ago. I\'ve yet to order one but that would be due to my self-imposed restriction not to order anything related to mini\'s for a month.
http://www.tole-expressions.com/bruceswoodworks/index.html
http://www.paintracksetc.com/
Hope this helps
Edit: forgot to add the link I have for a nifty paint brush holder.
http://lovemeknots.com/supplies.htm
http://www.tole-expressions.com/bruceswoodworks/index.html
http://www.paintracksetc.com/
Hope this helps
Edit: forgot to add the link I have for a nifty paint brush holder.
http://lovemeknots.com/supplies.htm
