Since the studio needs to be both flexible (in terms of the project types it supports) and easily reconfigurable (in terms of its layout) there’s no way a single workbench is going to cut it. Instead, I need a collection of mobile stations that can be combined into different physical configurations as needed, plus be modified easily to support different kinds of tools and media. Oh, and I also want high-density yet easily moveable storage. And I think I’ve got a solution…
Carcasses
A couple of years ago, Ben Cardiff posted this intriguing idea for a reconfigurable workbench system, which looks ideal as the foundation for my system. I’m building 4 of them to serve as the backbone of my space, but I’m making some changes that will let me “hot swap” the superstructures and quickly repurpose any given station.
Superstructures
For many of my projects, I have a dedicated collection of tools that I’ll need ready access to while working. Think about an electronics bench with a power supply, oscilloscope, soldering station, multimeter, etc.
My plan is to build a 4-legged, 2-level shelf for each toolset, that can have all those tools attached. Each shelf will have an integrated power strip so that all the tools are plugged in and ready to go. When not in use, those shelves will stand easily by themselves, and even be stackable. But when one gets put into service, the workbenches will have mating slots on top to receive the 4 legs. I just remove the old shelf, drop in the new one, then plug in the power strip and it’s ready to go.
This solves both the reconfigurability problem and the problem of how to store those tools when they’re not being used.
Working with Wood
I don’t do a lot of woodworking, but when I do, I want a flexible bench that can hold stuff in place while I’m working. For this, I’m taking this idea floated by James over at Stumpy Nubs for a hot-swappable workbench. Mine will be sized the same as my carcasses, and have 4 short feet to drop into my superstructure slots, so it’s compatible with both my workbenches and with being stackable with other superstructures when not in use.
Storage
For this system, I’m taking inspiration from Matthew Peech’s video, which employs the same carcass shape as my workbench system; and a bit from the Bear Mountain Builds video about sliding storage. What I’m planning is a multi-level storage rack built on one of Ben’s carcasses, with hanging vertical sub-racks like Bear Mountain. But instead of tall sub-racks, I’ll have more racks that are shorter, with each row being in the neighborhood of 24-30" tall. Shorter pull-outs should ensure that no single rack has enough weight on it to tip over the stack when I pull it out.
Conclusion
This is by no means a solved system yet - just my current plan. My next step is to work out the details for the shelving superstructure in Blender and see if it looks feasible.