The Framers Forum

I am currently in the delightful position of having a new workshop built. Due to this I’m now on the lookout for storage solutions for all of my sheet materials and suitable units for storing bits and bobs.

I’ve been checking on ebay and found a few bits and pieces, but was wondering if there is anyone looking to sell any useful bits of storage furniture. In particular I’m looking to find some sort of unit which enables me to store mount board, but also doubles as a desk/workbench I can use when assembling the frames.

I’m at a loss as to where to find this sort of things from – either new or second hand.

Have a look at the Lion Website here http://www.lionpic.co.uk/product/KEENCU ... 309,0.aspx You will need to make the top out of MDF or similar. Not cheap but i have heard they are good. There are also under bench storage systems available for board here http://www.lionpic.co.uk/equipment-tool ... -cart.aspx

Keep a look out on ebay and save your search so you are alerted if anything comes up. Also worth asking around the framing suppliy wholesalers particularly smaller ones as they will often buy up equipment from retiring framers etc.

I have seen mountboard storage made from sections of 1200 x 1200mm slatwall panels which again you might find on ebay.

You can always make you own, have a look at some of the threads on this forum, regarding workshops, workshop designs, lay outs. have a look at mine at http://picasaweb.google.com/snichols33/Workshop# mind you that was at the end of 2008, looks a lot different now, not as tidy.
I made my mountboard storage out of 3/4 ply with 4 fixed casters on the bottom ( now I would put two steering casters on, as they never run straight at the moment). The benches are made out of 4x4 for the legs, 4x1 for the cross bracing and 8ft x 4ft 19mm chipboard for the tops, shouldn't take too long to knock up, did mine work benches in a day.
Once you have your workshop built, design you lay out on the floor, using chalk to mark out where you are going to put everything, then you can have a walk around (even carrying a sheet of invisible glass ) to see if the layout works and if you have enough space to move, then build the units.

Wishing you luck and keep us posted

Steve

Thanks guys for the replys.

Steve - bit green with envy now... lovely workshop building and a computerised mount cutter! If i can achieve tht one day I'll be chuffed to bits!

The workshop is a wooden buit one, fully insulated with double glazing and is to be located in my back yard (not too far to crawl in the mornings). Its aprox 4x2.5 meters with a high roof - just about long enough i recon and although its quite narrow it'll be more practical that what i have now.

If the business picks up enough I'll look at renting somewhere bigger, but until then im trying to keep my overheads as low as possible.

Hi. Wessex do a nice bench with mountboard storage underneath. Not cheap but a nice piece of kit.

I have made everything myself except my plan chest. It's not difficult to do, but it saves money and you get just want you wanted.

Built all my benches and shelves etc from 3x2 scant, very cheap topped off with 3/4 ply. I store the mountboard in one of the excellent Lion storage racks.

Just purchased a large ex RAF plan chest off ebay which is the only piece of ready made in the gallery.

Definitely pays dividends when dealing with limited space to custom build as much of your storage as possible.

Feel free to call round if you are ever snapping in Rossendale, kettles always on.............

blokman wrote: Feel free to call round if you are ever snapping in Rossendale, kettles always on.............

?Snapping

Could you translate please.

Snapping, taking snapshots

Slatwall with sheets of mdf in between are good and you can adjust the section sizes. Sheets of mdf cost quite a bit from B&Q but worked out cheaper than the premade racks.
All nice and solid and supportive.
Mine is topped with old lab bench top which was being binned by a local college.
Floatex carpet (rolls of or tiles) make a good work surface as fairly lint free and does not scratch the glass and you can match to the colour scheme
Must post a picture of it at some point.
Mine would benefit with addition of some strips of floatex at the base for when storing completed works

fraggle

Also have a plan chest via local paper for £80 which is handy for hiding untidy tools etc and also for storing art work before framed
fraggle

Contact DJ Simons & Son they do a workbench with mountboard storage underneath. (I want one)
Currently using workshop racking back to back with a 5mm chipboard top covered with carpet tiles.
Regards