Check it out Hobby Maniac’s we’re going to show you how to set up a sick beats lab at home. Plus a Bonus mobile beats lab tutorial as well!
Back in the saddle again we’re bringing hobby back home and on the road. Hobby Technology over the past year is taken it to the next level but so have the costs. Today, we’re going to give you some ideas for your beats lab without breaking the bank.
Got this table at IKEA for about 150 bucks. The key feature is the flat tap because it allows you to add on clamp lights. The spray booth with the hood and exhaust that hooks up to your window; it’s swanky and really helps with the over spray.
I picked up a couple of OTT lights are form Jo Ann Fabrics when they were dumping them off at 50% off, keep an eye on all the hobby store’s sales because we tend to share a lot of the same requirements.
I call my main light, Hercules because it does my lighting heavy lifting. It’s 100 bucks from Amazon, so it’s a bit expensive but the light is uh-maze-ing; worth it.
I also have a top 20 paints box that I keep readily accessible. It’s basically my bug out bag for when I go to the store to paint. You’ll notice I use a basic tooth brush holder to keep my brushes. You can even put the top on it and it’ll fit. Basically, all you need is for the brushes to stay up and vertical. I keep my sharpie pens, the clutch washes and some beads in here. You can toss in the little beads into a paint pot to help mix up the paints.
Pro-Tip: keep a little black book with all your paint recipes. I’ve included some paint samples in case my paints ever get discontinued I can color match.
You’ll notice I have a mini fan which I got at Walmart for about 10 bucks a few years ago. This is a great piece of kit for when you’re trying to get your models to dry faster so you can keep painting.
I use bankers boxes, I toss in my top 20 paint box, use my fold down light I got form Ikea. I add in my portable game mat. Add in some paper towels and top it off.
Optional to-go Box: My hardware box with all my tools for scraping, sanding, and cutting.
As for the models, well, you’re going to want a project box. Since they’re already boxed it’s just a matter of bringing them with you.
The key is organization because if you only have an hour a night to hobby, you need everything on standby.
Hit play on the video below to see how to take your beats lab to the next level.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
