Keeping workbench clean

[TomWisc]

I don't have a dedicated work surface to use so I use my kitchen table, carefully!

I spread newspaper, triple thickness across the table and tape it down with painters tape.

I usually pour out a small amount of dye into disposable plastic cup 2 oz, like you get free food samples in at Sam's club, etc. Then I put the 2 oz cup in a small plastic tray like frozen meals come in.

Finally, I use bed stain protector pads, like they use in the hospital under patients sheets to prevent the beds from getting wet. I also have used the disposable type. They have a leak proof plastic on one side and cotton on the other.

I am only staining relatively small items like belts, wallets, etc. so I don't need a large area.

 

[AmyK]

Wow guys! Thanks for all the great recommendations! I think I’ll look toward using glass in the long term, maybe picking up some puppy/chucks pads in the short term  I’ve done projects as big as a breastplate and boy was that a mess. 

Part of my move away from consumables is that taking the trash out of my workshop is a pain. My murder dungeon/workshop is in the basement so I have to carry trash up the stairs (a precarious maneuver if my recent fall on the stairs is any indication) then through my living room, kitchen, and finally outside. I could pretend it’s environmental concerns but it truly is laziness. It’s easier to just wash my rags and sponges etc than dispose of paper. 

I’m super clumsy- so thinking of getting some flip top lids for my dye bottles. I’ve also upgraded to the second cheapest harbor frieght gloves after popping the cheap ones and winding up with black hands for a week. 

Any other tips for keeping in clean or organized is always appreciated! 

[DV8DUG]

I wait until after Christmas sales on wrapping paper. Some of these are surprisingly liquid resistant. I also do like @Hasbeencowboy with the body paper.

[pepeunidos]

I use 2 plyes of craft paper (1 folded piece with the smooth side out, really) taped down with blue tape to a piece of heavy corrugated cardboard from some shipping box, and it works like a charm. Been using the same piece for months. Someone earlier mentioned that they ended up with dye being transferred from a previous project, but I've never had that problem as I only use water-based dyes, glues, and finishes and let the paper dry thoroughly before using it again. I don't know if that bit of info makes any difference but hope it helps out!

Edited March 28, 2019 by pepeunidos

[Alisdair]

When I do dye jobs or airgun application of resolene, I spread trash bags on the table. I then let them dry...and then use them as...trash bags!

[AmyK]

2 hours ago, Alisdair said:

When I do dye jobs or airgun application of resolene, I spread trash bags on the table. I then let them dry...and then use them as...trash bags!

My janky airbrush setup from my armor last year.

Edited March 28, 2019 by AmyK
Merged

[GRod]

27 minutes ago, AmyK said:

My janky airbrush setup from my armor last year.

I usually find there to be a very fine line between janky and genius. 

[YinTx]

Agree on the trash bag, inside out, then turned back again to be used as trash bag.  Also, I kept all the paper the mover's used to wrap and protect things like the dishes when they relocated me, which was a significant amount of paper.  I just flattened it, and folded it over and stored it under the work bench.  Every time I dye, oil, finish etc. I just pull one out and use it.  Usually, I can get 10-20 uses out of a single sheet.  Never had issues with dye transfer. When it is tapped out, it gets used when I apply glue or cement, then finally ends up in the trash.  So unless you are doing a lot of work, you won't be carrying to much of it back up the stairs!   I spilled dye on one once, and just quickly wadded it up and tossed it in the bin, no bleed through.  If I had waited, it would have for sure, but it is fairly thick like brown craft or butcher paper.

Speaking of which, some butcher paper is coated on one side with plastic, which would alleviate the need for the trash bag under the paper.

YinTx

[Double Daddy]

Like some of the others on here, I recycle cardboard boxes (the long ones that my hides arrive in, misc. shipping boxes, etc)...keep one or two around just for light-to-medium brown dyes and a separate one for black 'cause I've found that diabolical stuff wants to migrate all over ever'thing it gets near if one's not extremely careful. I'm so cheap that I even use a separate paper plate/pair of latex gloves/dauber/lambs wool for each color...sort of like a little color "kit" for the smaller items/projects that I just stack up on the shelf out of the way until I need that particular set of color items. I can make a dauber last for a LONG time if'n I remember to squeeze it out really good back into my dye container when I'm done (I reduce my dye 50/50 so's it goes further). I'm currently moving to a larger workspace in my outside shop- I was operating from a workroom in my house - when I'm finished with the setup, I'll have a separate dye table and keep these "kits" in large baggies so they're sealed off yet handy. And, yes, I'll probably still use cardboard boxes for the larger stuff...I've found it to be hard to beat, especially since I have pretty much free access to it on my regular job. Good luck!

[AmyK]

You think you’re cheap? I don’t even use daubers. I buy a bunch of cheap sponges.... then cut them into fourths! Keep an old soup pot in the shop for sponges, rags, buffing cloths and wash them in the washer when I run low. They’re stained of course but the color doesn’t transfer. 

5 hours ago, GRod said:

I usually find there to be a very fine line between janky and genius. 

My new motto. I will wear it with pride.