Help me build a new RC workshop

[NickRummy]

Ok guys. I'm a few weeks away from starting a workshop build in my basement. Just bought a new house and got moved in last week. Finishing up some painting and some misc things and then it's go time for the RC shop. I've never had a basement to make one so I'm hoping some of you "veterans" will chime in and tell some of the things you built or would like that helps.

I'll post up a floor plan soon of the area I have to work with. If you have tools you think are well worth having let me know. All I have now is a Dremel (living in an apartment really dwindles down tool options!)

I'm looking to do some tube work too so whatever might help with that. I have a torch, tube bender and things of that nature. I need to look into some type of clamps or something to hold the tubing down/together when brazing.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[theshimonator]

i think main tools are dremel pecision screwdrvers., spanners, socket set, pliers, and those handy finger things and any specialist too for your rig... but i think mostly just buy as much as you can afford because you can't build anything without the right tools

[NickRummy]

Yeh. I'd say I have about %70 of the hand tools I WANT. I have all the hand tools I need basically. I have no problem working on the vehicles I have now. It's just now that I have the space to get some larger tools I'm hoping to get some help with layout, machine choices, things like that. Here are some things I'd like to plan into the layout. I'd like it to be all counter mounted stuff if possible and most tools will be from harbor freight I imagine. I know nothing about the machines I'm listing below so that is what I'm hoping to get info on.

- Bandsaw
- drill press
- bench mount grinder
- small lathe
- Dremel area (place for the stand and attachments)
- (2) vices
- Pegboard walls for tool hanging
- Abundance of electrical outlets (so cords aren't laying everywhere)

Those are just some things off the top of my head. I have to get a floor plan posted soon. I'm really trying to figure out where they should all be placed in the layout.

[theshimonator]

do you know roughly how much space you have to work with?also the tools you listed won't be found cheap especially if they are good quality! i think you may also ant to think about maybe a welder for making chassis' and cages and also it gives you more variety of what you can fabricate yourself!

[NickRummy]

I do a lot of my own fabrication. I do it mostly at work now since I lived in an apartment before but now that I have the room I want to do the fabbing at home.

I'm not to worried about a welder. I have the torch for brazing and that will definitely hold me over.

I'm not looking for GREAT quality machines. I know I can get most of those at harbor freight for $100ish a piece. I don't plan on buying them all at once but I do want them at some time.

If I had to guess the wall I'm building the bench on is 20' long and I have about 4-5' of free space from the wall. If I need more room the wall that attaches to that wall at 90 degrees to make the corner has about 10' of free space also. (i basically have the corner of the basement if needed)

[theshimonator]

also do you have alot of rc's because it may also be worth making lots of shelves and for them over the top of your workspace then put some counter sunk lights at the bottom of the shelf! also try to get a place for absolutely everything because if you know where everyhting goes and where it is then you will be suprised ofg how much time you could save!

[NickRummy]

yeh I'm planning on building an RC storage area. I have about 5 right now which isn't TO much but ya never know how many will "show up" after the work area is finished haha

I seen someones work area I really liked. It had pegboard on the wall the workbench was at. Seemed to be pretty nice for hanging tools, hanging drawer bins etc

[Mikekx65]

hey well my work bench in my pole barn is 20 ft long by 4ft wide and it has plenty of room to put all my tools one thing about it i could not live without is on one end i covered the wood with 1/4" steel and i put my torch and 2 welders there also with a vise so when im welding or torching it doesnt burn into the wood..u know what i mean? i suggest u do sothing like that it doesnt have to be that thick just enough so the torch/weldrs dont burn through it

[NickRummy]

Originally Posted by mikekx65

hey well my work bench in my pole barn is 20 ft long by 4ft wide and it has plenty of room to put all my tools one thing about it i could not live without is on one end i covered the wood with 1/4" steel and i put my torch and 2 welders there also with a vise so when im welding or torching it doesnt burn into the wood..u know what i mean? i suggest u do sothing like that it doesnt have to be that thick just enough so the torch/weldrs dont burn through it

Ahhh yes. That would be a great idea! Could probably use some nice magnet style clamps too on it.... That would be nice for brazing. Thanks! I know a guy that owns a steel place so Im sure I can get a nice size plate. Raw steel is all you're using?

How high are you guys making the work benches? I'm almost thinking about making it a bit higher so its easier to stand and work then just get a stool for sitting. Seems like I'm always haunched over working on tables and making it a bit higher would be nice for storage under it.

[Mikekx65]

i think mines 4 ft tall but 1 1/2' off the ground we made a shelf all the way along the work bench so tupperware tube with junk in it can slide under the bench then there is a nice shelf running the legenth of the bench its a nice hight for me becaue im like 5'5" so its like a perfect becnh height when i stand up and yes its just wraw steel if you paint it the torch/hotness will just burn it off every once in a while water will get on it and rust it so u just take some steel wool and it comes right off ill get some pics of it later

[gregrocks90046]

it doesn't look like anyone mentioned buying a good soldering iron. that would be near the top of my list. buy a good quality, adjustable unit. i strongly recommend the hakko 936. they list between $90 and $100. aside from changing tips once in a while, it will last you the rest of your life.

[NickRummy]

Sweet pictures would be great. I'll get some pictures of the area and a floor plan tonight. Getting my new computer today and finally getting internet at the house too.

[NickRummy]

Originally Posted by gregrocks90046

it doesn't look like anyone mentioned buying a good soldering iron. that would be near the top of my list. buy a good quality, adjustable unit. i strongly recommend the hakko 936. they list between $90 and $100. aside from changing tips once in a while, it will last you the rest of your life.

Ya know I have a basic radioshack one that is 20w/40w selectable and although its nothing amazing has got the job done. I always wondered how the expensive ones compared. Sucks for soldering tabs on batteries though.

They just hold heat better? selectable heat settings? Why are they so much?

[Destroyer]

Personally, I would check out a drill press, especially if you want to fabricate nice mounting brackets, link plates, etc. Bench grinders are nice, but with enough accessories for the dremel, it's not necessary. Band saws are cool, makes cutting plates and tube real easy. If you are serious about getting into machining tools, I'd look at a mill over a lathe. With lathes, you are basically limited to round parts, but with a mill, you can make any shape. I have a manual mill that I use very often. It makes things so much easier.

-Destroyer

[gregrocks90046]

Originally Posted by NickRummy

Ya know I have a basic radioshack one that is 20w/40w selectable and although its nothing amazing has got the job done. I always wondered how the expensive ones compared. Sucks for soldering tabs on batteries though.

They just hold heat better? selectable heat settings? Why are they so much?

do a google search to check out all the specs. with the hakko, you can solder battery tabs, no problem.

[Destroyer]

My workspace, after almost 3 days of cleaning, sorting, and organizing almost everything there, as well as the rest of the garage. All the shelves in the cabinets used to be full of stuff just piled in, but now I actually have some free space. The cabinets directly to the sides of the bench are for R/C stuff...the others are for garage stuff, deck chair cushions, etc.



Opened up:


The mill:

That counter is not for my use...

-Destroyer

[NickRummy]

Wow i'm loving the mill!

[NickRummy]

Here is what I'm starting out with. This wall is just a bit over 20' in length. The white cabinet on the left will be gone and the pegboard/outlets that were here already will be coming down.







Then I also have 13' of this wall to use too. I could stretch more by moving the freezer down but I doubt I would need more than 33' of workbench....

[Robb]

I just set up my little RC shop a couple of months ago, so here is my advice.

- the Dremel is your friend! I ended up getting a flex shaft for mine, and just mounting the main unit to my pegboard, with the shaft end hanging loosely for easy access

- the Dremel is your friend! A healthy supply of (quality) cut-off wheels and sanding discs is a must!

- a $100 bench drill press is a great investment.

- a $100 bench top band saw is great for aluminum and plastics. (for steel and A LOT of aluminum, they go too fast)

- a small vise is required. A second, more expensive, bigger vise will help for non-RC projects.

- raw materials!! Lots of various types of aluminum and delrin! Nothing worse than having a great idea to fab something, and not having the goods available to do it! Hardware! Hit up mcmaster or fastenal and get large quantities of various screws, washers, and nuts in the sizes you use most. Once again, nothing like having a great idea, and no hardware to put it together.

- background entertainment. I know this sounds dumb, but you will be amazed by the difference in work, or attitude towards work, with something in the background you enjoy. Make sure you have a radio, TV, MP3 player, etc in the background. Along with this goes a comfy seat!! If you can't get comfortable in your hobby area, you may retreat to another area.

Mills are great, but IMO, a little down the line if just starting up the RC shop. If funds are abundant, sure, get it all, but if working up as funds become available, a mill should be close to last IMO.

[NickRummy]

Awesome list Robb! The drill press and band saw you mentioned are both things I'm planning on making room for and picking up!

I do the same thing with my dremel now. I have the hanger for it that mounts to a work bench and the flex shaft. It's definitely an awesome all around tool!