Hmmmmm, the big 'modeling desk' question has arisen again!

Here's where I start to feel a wee bit guilty.
My older children have grown and moved out of the house, thereby freeing up a couple of rooms. One has been turned into a Sewing Room for my wife, and the other is now my Modeling Room.
(yea, we're an EOE household ).
Anyway the entire room is devoted to modeling pretty much. My desk (there's two, connected) is 'L' shaped. one measures approx. 8' x 2.5', and the other 7' x 3'. When put together they create an L that is 11' long by 2.5' on one side and 7' x 3' on the other. The smaller of the two desks(to my right) has an overhead portion built into it similar to a computer desk, with an all metal, fully encapsulated, flourescent 3' x 1.5' light fixture that has a three-position/4-bulb output (I can have the two outside bulbs on (higher wattage) or, the two inside bulbs on (lower wattage,) or all four bulbs on at once). This unit is mounted above the main work area in a fully hooded fashion so that I am never looking directly at the light source itself. The other table(the larger of the two) is a plain flat surface and 'free-spanned' underneath (they both are) so that I can roll my desk chair the entire length of both desks(no knee impediments). I have covered both desk tops completely with a white coated soffit material I use at work. It's a satin finish so it's not tough on the eyes and brightens up the work area just right, and is easy as heck to wipe clean. The larger desk also has two self-healing cuttin mats, one (to the far left) is a green OLFA brand mat measuring approx. 36"w x 24"t and a smaller clear bluish mat (to the near left) measuring 24"w x 18"t with grid lines on the X and Y axis as well as on the diagonal at irregular intervals. Underneath the clear blue mat is a sheet of metal. The metal is there so I can use my MicroMark jig-setting magnets on top of the clear grid and the magnets will hold the models which I have aligned along a grid line, together while the glue is setting up.
Now, between the two cutting mats (we're still on my left) is a homemade 'turntable'. This was made from two pieces of round 12" wide particle board ($1.97 at Home Depot), one metal gimble ($8.95 at H.D.), and a 12" smooth white ceramic bathroom floor tile. I use this 'contraption' for many things, not the least of which is to paint my model and simply spin the turntable a little bit to get the other angles. I have a small box (again, homemade) that I can slip underneath it to elevate the kit to whatever height is needed for better access to the 'hard to get at' parts of the model.

Along the back (to the right) of the extra deep desk (the 3' deep one) is a row of those inexpensive plastic 3 and 4 drawer parts bins you can get at Walmart for $5-$6. I keep the majority of my 'pieces/parts' in those. To the left are most of my quick reference books and magazines so they are at arms length (I think I'm going to build Verlinden's V-100 so I can have a proper, heavy bookend! ). In the middle is a small little 'bookrack' that I picked up from a sewing store (supposed to hold bobbins ) that is perfect for my Tamiya paints and such.
For in-close work lighting, I have a professional grade lighted magnifier boom light that I got from a friend who worked at Martin-Marietta. They were upgrading to newer models and he just gave me that one (couldn't do without it to be honest). It has a circular flourescent bulb and provides more than decent illumination (but obviously in the 'blue' range). To my left (on the longer desk) is an additional boom style lighted magnifier, only this one is a much, much cheaper unit, and is incandescent. Again, good illumination but this one is in the 'red' range.
Back to my right. I have a small desk style (flip up to activate) OTT-Lite. This is the light I use when trying to acertain 'true' colouring. Love it.
The majority of my modeling tools are in several small 'tackle' and compartment style boxes to my immediate right. Directly in front of me and just a little to my right (when I'm modeling) is a very nice sized Black & Decker 8" Workmate bench top vise, the kind with nice little hand cranks and holes provided for alligator clips. When I'm not using it for holding a kit for assembly, it serves as a convenient airbrush parking spot.
Lastly, behind me, are bookcases full of reference manuals, books and magazines. Interspersed amoung these (and on the top) are some of my completed model kits. This is one of my faux paux's, I don't have any of my kits 'under glass'.......my bad I guess.

Now, I must apologise for rambling on so long about my modeling desk, I didn't originally mean to get so long-winded, but...........what the hey! If this diatribe has bored you to tears, I sincerely apologise, but, if there are a few 'A' types out there who enjoyed it.?.............great!

Tread.


Oh, before I go, on the far left wall are open shelves. These contain many small (I think 2.5 quart) claer plastic containers. Within these are all of my kits in their respective stages of assembly. They are all labeled (with simple masking tape labels) with what they are and the stage they are at. And, (believe it or not) with which historic era they belong. There are presently two sets of shelves, I'm thinking about increasing that to three.
BTW, if you think I'm being a little too, too, ......well, you know, about this. I have to tell you all that our dear 'Gunnie' is at least a little to blame for it all!!!! He's the one who 'affected' me like a bloody modeling virus. After seeing, and having Gunnie share some of his modeling 'style' with me, I made some changes...............................................

Did I mention that my computer is right there as well? Complete with printer and 21" screen?
Now all I have to do is master the technique of posting pictures and I can bore you all with photographic proof of all this rubbish.

Describe your workarea!