Iain Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Hi all - posting as we could do with feedback from modellers out there... With my day job we work in the old WAAF accommodation at what was RAF Wing in Buckinghamshire, and is now a shared office space for mostly small businesses called Funkbunk. A while back I walked into the main office, on my way to put the morning coffee on, and spotted a new venture by the people that run Funkbunk - Helmm - a range of space-saving standing desks and laptop stands made from CNC machined, high quality, plywood. Now, I don't know about you guys, but quite often I find myself looking at things from a modelling perspective and thinking 'that would be brilliant for...' - in this case creating extra space on the workbench as well as bringing the main assemblies up to eye high for detail work. Having spent many a long weekend on crammed magazine projects to meet deadlines I've suffered the bad back and neck from leaning over the bench. Added to that, as projects have got larger the logistics of each build have become more challenging... So - I looked at these standing desks and thought 'I've got another use for that!' What followed were several long conversations with the designer/owner of the venture, Sam Cranwell, on the possibility of marketing these desks to the modelling community (and other detail crafts such as jewellery making) . The question is - does anyone else think there'd be any interest in the modelling world - and is it worth Sam looking at developing a section of the range tailored for model makers? More info can be found here - but here are a few images we took the other day showing how it could be useful on a project like the B-17. I have no stake in this - just sounding out potential market interest for Sam. Any and all feedback/thoughts appreciated! Iain Shawn M, mpk, Fooesboy and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanKB Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Personally, I think the market for such a desk amidst models would be very small. It's solving a problem that's not really there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 It looks great but would be very expensive to purchase and ship across the planet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jessie_C Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Useful little bins hanging below the edges where tools and parts could live might be appreciated, as would hanging hooks for the airbrush. CANicoll 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 It is an interesting idea for sure and there is probably a market for it, but not sure how large. Work surface area was my first concern, but with the multiple levels, that is really less of an issue. In the picture with the B-17 I think that top level is too small (once those wings go on that's all she wrote as far as being able to move that bird around) but for anything smaller - like the 90% of stuff we build - the size is probably ok. I'd want to attach some sort of apron because as I cut parts or handle small parts, me sitting with a big towel on my lap catches what I drop. But that is not a design issue for the desk. In addition to the bins that Jessie suggested (brilliant I'd say!), I'd want that lower tier work surface to be about as large as the top one, and how about a slightly raised edge to keep me from accidentally pushing things off the edge? And instead of a book rest up top, how about a monitor platform? I rarely build anymore without something on the screen that is related to what I am building. I can blow up pictures to get the detail I want, or different views, or heck, keep up with Sherlock or a game if I want to. That's all for now. Seriously, thanks for asking and good luck to your friend on opening up another market. Chris mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) Jennings, you know you can get things like this, look up standing chairs or kneeling chairs http://iqglobal.intel.com/en-gb/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2016/01/leanchair.png http://www.poweraircorp.com/tag/kneeling-chair/ sorry for the thread drift, now back to the desk Edited June 14, 2017 by TonyT mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Boillot Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) Interesting idea, although in fairness, I most certainly would not buy it, as the idea of working standing-up is not my cup-of-tea... I read here the best idea to save my neck and shoulders when working on details. Rather than bow and stretch them when working on small stuff, lower the seat to bring your head closer to the working area. Not my natural inclination, as I tend to sit rather high reletive to the table, but it actually works wonders ... Hubert Edited June 14, 2017 by MostlyRacers mpk, Jeff T, moldmkr78 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainer Hoffmann Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Neat idea! You can have all the clutter you like on the bench and still have a clean space for parts and tools. I like the idea. But £235 is a bit steep. Cheers Rainer mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 I have my spray table set at standing height, I find airbrushing standing is easier for me and avoids fatigue. mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerhard Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) Good idea, but it looks like a compact PC workstation desk. Not flaming you, but it is what it is. GBP 235 = ZAR 3300 +/- add VAT shipping and duties, you wont sell one in RSA. Just too expensive. Edited June 14, 2017 by Gerhard mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CATCplSlade Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 I'm always bothered by things that are larger on top than the bottom with no apparent way to anchor them or keep them steady. All I see when I look at the pic is an expensive kit potentially tumbling over unto the ground. Is there anything about it's construction that eliminates horizontal movement? mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 My benches are bar height so I can work standing up or sitting at my old drafting high stool. Something like this wouldn't work for me because I also like a large work surface were I can lay things out. It's great solution for someone with space limitations though, like apartment living or small work shed. Cheers Ron mpk and CANicoll 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Griewski Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 The two levels is good for saving space but all looks too high and too high stakes for clumsy me. I would use one layer with space for the whole B17 model at standing height. There are many standing height desks available. Rick mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggTim Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 I would love a standing desk at my job, but not for model building. I don't think I would be stable enough to do fine work well in a standing position. mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClumsyDude Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Great idea, I'd be all over it ... but not at A$400 (and I suspect that doesn't include shipping from the UK to Oz, although that's getting really cheap these days. Jim mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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