You don’t have to spend a lot to get a ballin’ hobby setup. Here’s a few tips on how I made one for the store for well under $75!
Here’s a real simple setup to paint that you can get for your home or local hobby place of choice. The total cost for this is less than $75, and can accommodate 4 people easily – 6 if you’re stretching it and not on the heavy side.
The Community Hobby Setup
It’s really aimed at community or group painting. Unlike your own personal little space, this setup is perfect to have a few friends over and get that all-nighter in right before tournaments. Or, you know, something less barbaric like 2-3 hours every Thursday night while watching the game.
You’ll need the following:
- Folding Table. Common size is 6 feet by 30 inches, but there are some larger ones and smaller square ones if space is an issue.
- Plastic Sheet
- Packing Table
The motto here is KISS, Keep It Simple, Stupid. Buy things that work enough and don’t cost a ton, aim for function above form. Like, I’m sure there’s a way to have the plastic sheet on there and still be able to fold the table. But I don’t care enough, I want it there for eternity ( or just a little longer while I finish that model… )
Cut your plastic sheet to the appropriate size, leaving enough left to tuck it under the table and secure it with tape. This not only locks the sheet in place, it’s also prettier and doesn’t risk getting stuck to something and tearing up as the something ( namely, a human ) moves away.
Budget for Ballers
Folding table around 30$ at Target/Walmart/Costco or this Cosco Deluxe 6 foot x 30 inch from Amazon.
Folding chairs, a whooping $8 each at Walmart/Target/Costco, or this Cosco Resin Folding Chair 4 Pack from Amazon. Amazon has great deals on 4 packs, which is a good number for us.
Plastic Sheet, bought at the dollar store. It cost me something like a dollar per yard. I’m sure it’s measured normally elsewhere, though. Like, I’ll take a 1st down’s worth of plastic sheet please.
I usually try to also have links for my Canadian homeboys too, but there really isn’t anything remotely comparable to what you’d pay at a superstore for these kind of chairs and tables. Sorry, fellow hosers.
The rest is basic hobby supplies you should already have. The paint is in a large box to fit the “community” aspect of this table setup: put in in the middle of the table and everyone as easy access to the paint rather than a rack that won’t stay organized for more than an hour each session anyway. KISS.
The $75 is really if you are starting from scratch or you want to get everything brand new. Most people have chairs lying around, and you can use pretty much any table you want.
Until next time,
No excuses; hobby like a champion!
