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Super User 2,347 posts Chris VanderHeide cv_acr Super User 2,347 posts
Chris VanderHeide cv_acr

As with many model railroaders, when you're in the hobby for a while you accumulate a wide variety of projects. Often having "several" on the go at once.

I was getting to the point where I had bits and pieces from various projects scattered over my workbench, with various parts in various old leftover kit boxes. This organization left something to be desired, so I got some foam core sheets and made some "standardized" project boxes, so that I could simultaneously achieve several goals:

- clean up my work space

- make sure ALL the parts (including bodies, detail parts, instructions or other reference papers, etc. of a project don't get separated from each other and go in one box

- have a project box/tray that can be moved from one work space to another

- organize small parts for larger or multi-car projects

The boxes are relatively simple affairs, cut from foam core sheet and hot-glued together making a simple box with a 10x12" bottom and 2 1/2" deep sides. Properly laid out on a pair of 20x30" sheets you can make five of these boxes.

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Optional interior dividers to separate small parts can be added to some boxes used the leftover scrap pieces after the box pieces are cut.

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A small square of foam glued to the bottom of the box at each corner (about 1/4" inset) allows the boxes to safely "lock" when stacked so a pile of boxes can't slide and fall into or off of each other and damage anything.

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Chris van der Heide

My Algoma Central Modelling Blog

Canadian Freight Car Gallery

CPR Sudbury Division (Waterloo Region Model Railway Club)
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VSOTTO Regular poster 151 posts
VSOTTO

Thumbs up!

Thumbs up!
Reply 0
MikeHughes Super User 5,475 posts
MikeHughes

This is a great idea …

With dollarama having 20 x 30 foam board for $1.50. These are only 60 cents each (plus glue,which they sell 10 long sticks for $3).  So, maybe 75 cents!

The really beautiful thing about these is you can always make more of them, and they are the same and will still stack.  

 Unlike the ones you buy 4 of at the store, and then when you need number 5 and 6, they are out, no longer carry them, the design has changed and they no longer stack nicely, etc.
[MRH%20Sig%202]Mike’s Index and Blog
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cdguenther Regular poster 334 posts
cdguenther

Bravo!

Well done
Reply 0
UglyK5 Super User 1,132 posts
UglyK5

Imitation = flattery

Chris - I liked it so much I copied your idea. Modified to add dividers and a section for loose parts. A bit of scrap packing foam keeps the cars from sliding around on the “shop trucks” I use during weathering. 
THANKS!

Jeff

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—————————————
“Think before you post, try to be positive, and you do not always have to give your opinion.....”
-Bessemer Bob
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railman28 Regular poster 194 posts
railman28

no thanks

one of my greatest motivator to finish a project is to see the work bench again.

Bob
Reply 0
William Burg Regular poster 161 posts
William Burg

This does look like an

This does look like an elegant solution for organizing those somewhat long-term "when I get around to it" projects, or just ones that require a lot of steps. Tidier looking than my own habit of placing interim projects into the box the kit came in, or whatever extra kit box is lying around, too. I find that putting away all my tools, materials and other bits at the end of every session is a good practice that lets me keep the hobby space organized (don't get me wrong, it's still a mess, but at least it's a highly organized mess where I can find everything.) And at 80 cents each (two boxes for a $1.50 sheet and some glue) the price is right!
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