Just got into the hobby during last lockdown and it has been such a blessing. I suffer from tourettes (involuntary muscle tics) and when they are bad it can be quite painful, especially in times of stress. I've found that focusing on painting calms me down and eases the symptoms. I've just started to setup a dedicated space for painting my models, and a lamp would be an amazing addition! I think I'd choose black as the colour, to match my chair.
Odd that this is the project that's most inspired me to get out there and just kluge something together - but I'm going to chalk that up to summer. Thanks as always, Luke!
The Gray 20" looks really nice. I'm honestly just tempted to buy one, even if I don't win. Perhaps I shouldn't say that, because that probably means they won't pick me to win one.... "Took away the wood grain and made it a bit more pleasing to look at." Those two halves of that statement are a direct contradiction :). Making stuff yourself is always so much more rewarding than buying the premade options. It's almost always better, and most importantly, you can make it fit exactly how you need it, not just try to force it to fit your setup.
I printed out some that I really enjoy, but I like the simplicity of this to be honest, and I do still have a lot of empty wall space above those holders. The filming setup is also *chef's kiss* Great video, Luke!
My “hooby space” is a desk in the corner of the room that is also where I work. Im still using a bendy desk lamp from the 90’s! So a silver neatfi lamp would be more than amazing, thanks! 🤞
I find your hobby corner very cozy. You have a really nice lighting, and atmosphere in general. I like how you managed your pc and hobby desk together, it's definitely a place, where I could spend hours doing stuff. Somehow it resembles my own hobby desk, maybe that is the reason why I like it so much. All the best!
I think horizontal placement of paints (laying on the side) would be better than vertical. Gluing some coffe stirrers down prevents paint rolling off the shelf. You can get nice free wood by reclaiming shipping pallets (get the HT ones, they are heat treated to get rid of bugs). As for finish, I HATE painted stuff. It has no warmth in it. Just sand everything with a power tool (a cheap sander, around 15€) and place boiled linseed oil on top. The silky sensation to the touch is great, and fir gets a lovely warm honey shade.
I have tried building various paint "racks" over the years, they never really work, but a simple shelf, crafted to fit your space, that looks much more achievable! Currently I'm in a rented apartment, so no permeate wall attachments and I've been using an old small table with a standard desk lamp. That Neatfi lamp looks like it would function much better! If I would be chosen for the lamp give away, that silver lamp looks very cool!
Hey! I don't know if you're still in an apartment, but the easiest way to get around that is using the same L brackets he did, but instead of screwing them into the wall, use one of those wall mount strips from 3M. It's not as pretty, and you'll need a couple more than he used, but it does the trick! Or, if you're okay with drilling into your desk a bit, you could screw it straight to the surface and put a long bracket or two across the back of both for extra stability.
thats awesome! i've been building my racks like this for the past few years. i use thinner strips of flat wood sold in the baseboard/moulding section of the builders supply/home depot, then i back it with foamcore or chipboard. i do drill the holes for the wire nails you need to use for such thin wood. then i reinforce it with weldbond/PVA and a few divider supports of the wood offcuts. perfect home project for those of those who don't have a woodshop. holds all the different sizes of paint pots, bottles and tubes beautifully! and if those neatfi lamps come in black, hook me up!
So sure, you could build your own, or buy another “miniature” paint rack... But anything you buy tied to the hobby is going to be expensive... Instead, why not buy a nail polish rack? Cheap, easy to put together, and fit all kinds of paints.
I use the nail polish racks and they are really good, but they do take up more desk space than a vertical rack. The version I bought does fit Citadel paint pots.
Good point on the screws mate. The difference between cheap own brand, and Bullet brand screws saves so much time, hassle, and splits. They also take a massive hammering from the impact driver. A black lamp would be a great help. The IKEA lamp I have is far too warm, and doesn't render colours too well, particularly greens.
I have one of those MDF racks. I glued it all together firmly with PVA, then glued it to a wider base to add stability. It has never fallen over, or apart. It works fine. One big advantage is that you can see the colours immediately, without labels getting in the way. BTW, try sanding the pieces BEFORE putting them together.
New to the hobby. Started in January to escape the stress of working 70 hours a week in a pandemic. Would love ANY colour Neatfi Lamp. If I have to pick, maybe white. They look really well made, will help with my painting since my eyes aren't what they used to be and to be perfectly honest, I don't have the money to buy on. Whoever wins, congratulations and hope it helps you enjoy this great hobby even more. Best of luck everyone. x
I moved into a new space a month ago and have not been able to do any modelling / painting yet, simply because I have not found the proper workspace setup. Getting a grey Neatfi lamp has been on my to do list and would help me get back in the saddle. Great innovative shelf design Luke! Part of my dilemma in unpacking my modeling stuff is the best way to go vertical (and not make a mess of holes or wasted $). Thanks for the great vid!
I genuinely can’t see what I’m doing without a good amount of light due to my bad eye. Would be great to have a simple lamp that could do the job, otherwise I need to use 3-4 filming lights, haha. I’ll take a dozen in white!
I use a revolving nail varnish stand. Best thing I ever got for my paints. Holds a lot and doesn't take up much space. It's also moveable so can be positioned wherever I decide to paint.
I don't have a permanent painting space and it bothers me being discouraged just organizing a painting session, don't even have one of those fancy lamps either Edit : I didn't even want one given away until I saw Rose gold was an option, I want that
Great idea and well executed. DIY is always a better solution as it fits your space and your thinking about the efficiency of that space for what you want to do. I am in the final days of converting an attic in the house we bought four years ago into my gaming space. And am just now at the stage of building the painting and computer corner under the eaves by the chimney. This was the perfect video at the perfect time - thanks for the ideas and advice on doing it cheaply and quick.
Nice! I built similar racks for my paints earlier this year - big difference! My next project is to build a desk that will serve as a hobby space and remote-work setup. Only lighting I have is from an overhead fixture, so a proper hobby light is on my list of improvements too.
I’m spending a lot of time looking after my Mum so I needed a portable setup to use at home or on her dining table. I’ve tried several but I picked up a 5-drawer paper sorting drawer, not quite tall enough to stand dropper bottles but it means the bottles roll around and partly pre-mix the paint (well ish). I use different drawers for different paint sets (WW2 desert, WW2 Europe, Knights & Knaves and Sci-Fi - I make up toy soldier sets to give away to less well off kids). The last drawer I use for paint brushes and a few odd tools. To work I can just take out the appropriate drawer when I’m doing a job. The drawers don’t lock but a cheap webbing belt around the thing keeps them in and gives me a handle. Cheap, not ideal, but it works for me. Many years ago in (I think) Airfix Magazine a chap built a rack for Humbrol tins with rollers and a motor so the tins were constantly rotating to keep the paint mixed, I keep thinking about having a go at one of those. Got the details of that lamp? Looks like something I could really use.
32mm PVC pipe, a cutter and superglue works well and its cheap. Just measure and cut. Works really well for the bigger bottles of primer too. Its also modular and stands on its own if you use the bigger cuts at the bottom. Not had an issue in 5yrs plus. You could also use bigger and smaller pipe sizes for a different style.
Just in time, as I was talking with my mom about paint racks yesterday. The lamp looks amazing by the way. The fact that it can be mounted on the table is amazing as I have a really tiny desk to work on to. Also, white light rocks!
Great self build fits your space perfectly the Neatfi Lamp colour I would like is the black as I paint on my dining room table with only one main light in the room it can get quite dark at times. I also need to be able to remove the light when finished painting. Black would also go well with the dark grey wall colour
I just started creating my hobby space and I just bought a load of cheap MDF racks due to being brand new to miniature painting, then I watched this video! lol So I'm not into DIY either but that setup looks great. I don't know anything about lamps, hadn't even thought about it and then you mention there's a competition for one. I've never won anything on the intranet so here goes. Thanks for the heads up on needing a lamp!
Would love one of these Neatfi lamps. Just finished building my shelves and desk and that clamping system would be ideal attached to either set of furniture. With black desk+shelves with a neon green accent stripe and glowing teal caution stripes on the desk. I could see the pink being a rocking balance color to help bring together that final look.
Uh, a white lamp would be so neat!^^ At this time I have to use my smartphone flashlight to paint minis, because the cabinet above my table fell of the wall and just wrecked everthing on the table, including my old work lamp. It was a cheap one and did not even have a daylight light bulb anyway. And thanks Luke for the great video. I really love the calmness that comes with your videos.
The only problem might be that paint bottles fall off as you remove one. Maybe run a piece of string or elastic across the shelf front at about half bottle height? Will hold them in place bit not prevent easy removal of each bottle? Great DIY project. If you do buy an MDF version then I suppose you could brace it by building a sturdy frame around it.
Great beginning project for anyone! I was big into wood working projects (just build a dining table with inset for gaming) but I've only just recently gotten into painting minutres. Right now I'm using my dining table with a plastic sheet to keep off the paint but would love a light like this in white to help see all the nooks and crannies of the stormtrooper armor I'm working on.
What a great easy way to make more space and have a secure versatile paint rack. I wish I only had a hobby room to myself.ive been using the half a large kitchen table but the wife still moans that we all can not sit down together to eat with "all that crap" on it.ive been using goodmans bendy lamp onside and a beltway on the other and iam always knocking them over reaching for stuff and many a time damaging my figures and knocking over water pots so anything thats out of the way and gives me more space would be great.My colour choice any colour will be OK it's the light that helps me paint better and not the colour of the lamp.cheers Luke and sorry for the long ramble....
I've been wanting a tablet stand for ages! Yet another super useful video. I built your LED lighting on on a monitor stand - i'm super pleased with it and learnt a lot. Thanks!
I'd be thrilled with a black lamp. I do a variety of arts and crafts (miniature paining, watercolor painting, ink drawing, acrylic painting, and I'm getting interested in quilting as of late), and good lighting is mandatory for good results!
I'm sitting in a corner with a slanted roof, so I've made a custom solution cardboard foam. It's good for sorting an saving space, but after a year I notice just how bad of a dust trap it is. I might look into a little plexiglass display cabinet instead, with a door in the front to keep the dust out
If you already have the rack, you could build a frame to bolt to the wall that you slip the MDF rack into. Could have done this with the frame you built, too. By the way, love love love that the wood is 1"x2" strapping, yet the screws are in mm. UK is just as half-assed in measurements as the US.
I have acrylic paint racks for some of my paints and they work great. I also have a paint rack system I bought from Warchest Creations on Etsy. Once I glued it all up it became rock solid. I really love it, and it is super affordable.
Perfect. You convinced me to build a hack myself. Now I just need a good lighting. I think the Neatfi Lamp is the best for minis. I have tried 2 lamps, a led strip, many colors of bulbs ... and I have never been able to find a good combination. I hope I can be the graced one with the Neatfi Lamp.
I have already bought the materials. Tomorrow I start building. It will be a rack with 4 levels. Do you have an Instagram so I can send you a photo when it is finished?
That racks a nice idea. Got some spare wood from building my new shed so will be starting a new project straight away and get my paint pots out of a biscuit tin! Nice one Luke! Hi Neatfi. As mentioned, just finished setting up a new shed for hobbies. Sadly it’s only 6ft x 4ft, so one of your lamps would be ideal in my limited space! A white one would fit in with the walls once I get them painted white. Many thanks.
Great video, I've been putting off building my own paint rack for ages now and I think it's about time I just cracked on with it and got it done. That lamp would be perfect for my hobby space. I've got a slanted roof like yourself and I've been making do with two bedside lamps and natural light which isn't great considering I don't often get time to paint in the day what with having a baby. Fingers crossed and bets of luck to everyone.
Great build, ot just goes to show that you dont need to spend alot, this paint shelf im going to have a go at but at a size that will fit on the desk on the landing. The Neatfi white lamp would be brilliant to light up this dark space that i try to use as my hobby area.
Greetings from Alaska! Great job and great idea. Just starting a build for my Tamyia paints. I'm going to add a recess using a Forstner bit to cut about halfway into my 1x3 (inch) boards for the bottles to sit in (we have earth quakes every so often).
I actually got one of those lamps and I'm really surprised how nice it is, was recommended widely but you never know with some of these things until you get one. Really bright and lights up my work area but the main thing is the stand doesn't wobble like crazy or move when push the power button. That more than anything surprised me. That being said, a grey one to put in my basement for where I'm setting up an airbrushing area would be a nice upgrade from the bare overhead bulb that's there now.
That light is a true piece of art in itself! I work a from fairly early in the morning until the evening, and then school has to come first before anything else of course, so when it does finally come time for painting, it’s often very dark. Normally I could use my overhead ceiling lights, but I live with my girlfriend (who works 60 hour weeks on average in a laboratory) and she is often in bed far before I have the time to flick on enough lights to actually see where my paint is going! Lots of multicolored painted fingertips and palms are the result haha. It would be more than a life saver to have a small but powerful light like that yo keep my eyes on the prize of getting better at what has easily the best and most rewarding past times I could ever want: painting minis! And for the record, despite her long hours and very taxing work, I’d say that anytime my girlfriend isn’t in a lab or bent over her work, she’a right next to me painting her own armies, often blowing me out of the water with her patience and skill! Thanks for the upload, that shelf and especially the light are extremely beautiful and well made!
A black lamp would be fantastic! My own little Gork and Mork kids are starting to share my hobby space for painting and this would be a fantastic way of keeping things well lit! Good luck everyone!
Great setup Luke! I was just about to buy one of those cheap mdf racks, thanks for saving me from disappointment 👍 About the lamp, I'd love to get one of those, color doesn't matter, reason is that I'm just starting now to paint on commission and I have purchased lots of equipment recently, to be more professional. This includes better brushes, a better airbrush, inks and varnishes I was missing.. A led 5000k desk lamp would mean a world of difference. Right now, with my dwindling budget I'll have to make do with desk lamps and daylight bulbs. Cheers for your great videos 👍
I actually bought a cheap one from amazon, made by pro scale, a Spanish company. The way it's designed it holds both citadel and droppers, cost about 20 Euro wouldn't even need PVA glue since the fit is quite tight (I still used some because better be safe than sorry).
I built one out of foam core. Only needed tacky glue and cocktail sticks and it is stable. Holds 198 Vallejo/Army Painter paints end on plus56 Citadel pots standing up. Could do with a better lamp mind :) - So yes please on that. White or Black would be good.
I would like a white Neatfi lamp. I've started a new hobby of making brass electronic jewelry which requires quite detailed work. There isn't a window in there and the overhead light is very dim. I have to get quite close to the solder fumes to see anything. Awesome video! Love the paint rack.
Looks great. I could really make use of one of those lamps as the one I have now is unable to stay upright without drooping down constantly and I get really annoyed by it. I am likely to be putting a new hobby space together sometime soon when I move and your method could be just the ticket for space saving and affordable. Will be better than constantly moving the keyboard and mouse out of the way as with my current set up.
Great video, no matter how much work space I have, I quickly find myself needing a little more. The Neatfi lights are really cool, I have seen several hobbiests using them in videos. I think it would be great to have an adjustable light sorce for painting and videos. I would prefer a black one since that is the color scheme I have.
I’m currently building a rotation paint rack that is mostly 3D printer and will hold 200 bottles. If you’re interested in seeing what I’m up to let me know. I like the rack you made. Simple and to the point!
Great timing on this video! I’m currently trying to redo my office to have a hobby space along with my home office. I would love one of these lights for my new hobby / office space! White color would be awesome!
Great video, I'll try this quick and dirty solution as soon as I have space for a dedicated hobby corner again. A white Neatfi lamp would be very helpful as my desk is tiny, so the small footprint of the clamp would come in really handy.
Might be worth putting a price of card stock in between the top of the paints and the next shelf to give an even space. Also an 8th inch lip on the front might help paints from falling off. Other than that just aesthetic things like another piece of the shelf back board for the whole shelf. Superb work all the same.
Awesome, inexpensive setup. I currently working on plans for a wide rack for the back of my painting desk. Would love to have one of these lamps to light up my desk and to help with miniature photos!
Great video, I've just moved into a new hobby space and the grey neatfi lamp would do the job perfectly as I'm using an old desk lamp due to my nearest roof light being about 8ft away
looks great and the light gives your workspace a clean professional look, might have to try making one, my paints are slid into pieces of pvc pipe i hot glued together
A neat thing I've seen is to use the pink foam, drilled to size for your bottles, to make sure things don't shift. I liked it because it's usual scrap we've got laying around anyways.
Having moved in to student accomodations for my first year at university I've been trying to get a hobby station up and running on my desk, however the light has been the worst; a Black Neatfi lamp that I could clamp to the desk Instead of mounting to a wall or ceiling and take with me afterwards when I move out in the next couple months would be a hobby-saver for sure!
I'm a student with a very small desk, I have a bedroom lamp without a shade on top of my computer tower for a painting light and I would like to have a boom arm lamp to have a less horrid light to paint and a bit more space. I have no preference of lamp but blue or black would be nice
Hi Luke great tutorial and definitely a cheaper alternative to buying a good quality paint rack. I've got the Hobbyzone range (purchased before Brexit) currently but find the paint pot holders for the vallejo style bottles are great. But for the Tamiya style it doesn't hold the bottles on the shelf, with the vibration from my compressor they tend to move, then fall off the shelf. They need to be slightly smaller, definitely to loose a fit which is a shame. Looking after the Warley TH-cam channel and setting up a studio at home a Neatfi white light would be so useful and help with the lighting issues we have had with making videos and the live streams we have been doing. Take care Andy
one thing you could do on v2.0 is to have a front lip on the shelfs so everything has to be tilted to go in and out, the perk of this would be preventing anything from falling off the shelfs or being bumped off. but thats if you want or feel its needed. ive always like the secured feeling since my desk tends to shake a bit
White lamp is what I need. Gave the old one away some time ago to a friend who needed it more than I did at the time. Now I am needing one for my paint jobs : )
I’d love a white lamp as I do all my painting in the evenings since I work during the day, and since I rent I can’t put anything on the walls. This looks like a great way to get that consistent light for painting in the evenings.
Id love a white lamp. I have tried so many lamps over the years, and the Neatfi lamps look like they are light weight and would give me a much wider light beam. I love watching your videos Luke!
Nicely done. I actually do woodworking as a side hobby (along with minis and railways! So many "little" hobbies!) and where I have my lathe in my shed is right at the back and means that I cast my own shadow over the lathe work I am doing. One of those Neatfi lamps would be absolutely amazing, to make sure I can actually see what I'm doing. I'm currently using a head torch, on top of my dust mask and faceshield. Doesn't make for very comfortable turning! Cheers for this Luke, another great little video. (Edit: not fussy over the colour of the lamp. Any?!)
Nice tutorial thanks. As for the Neatfi Lamp, I think I would choose the classic black one. Would fit perfect into my new miniature corner as I just started painting roughly three weeks ago.
This ended up great, I'm gonna try to build one myself. I'd just add a small strip on the bottom/outside to really hold on to the bottles. My clumsy hands are always overreaching and knocking stuff over.
Im currently in the process of reorganizing my hobby room. Gutted it. Painted it. Added an extra desk. Ordered some new paint racks etc I did plan to make some but the last one i made was a slight pain due to not having certain tools.
i don't need a lamp for myself, but my son has one written down on his birthday wishlist, since it doesn't say a color, id say black! that would really make his hobby area more useable! thanksyou much for the chance!
I'd love a black version of that Neatfi lamp, my hobby space is very dark and natural light in the UK is pretty much non-existant! Would be nice to be able to paint miniatures at any time without worrying about being able to see properly.
Nice setup! I just got the chance to make my own hobby room, and this idea will save me money $$...but I still haven't a proper light! A white one like yours would fit perfectly with my furniture and will help me go further in the hobby. Cheers!
I'd like a black one since black goes with everything. The reason why I need one is because all I have is an old desk lamp from the 70's. And being long term unemployed, I can't really afford something really nice. So it would be amazing to have some really good light!
That light is so slick! I'd love a white one, just like yours. I've tried several lights from amazon, but just haven't been thrilled with any of them. I'd love something to really help my hobbying to the next level.
As a fledgling miniature sculptor I'd love a white lamp for the new hobby and making space I'm setting up in a new home, after 12 years in my current one!
My hobby desk is a old tiny desk from the 80’s. Currently has a cheap lamp from a dollar general with a day bulb. Neatfi lamp in black would help me out a lot, with space and lighting.
Ive been thinking while now how to organize my hobby desk. So..its more wood work for me. White lamp would finish things of nicely. White would get wife’s seal of approval too 😂👍🏻 Thx for the tips Luke! 👌🏻
Gr8 vid m8! Having some nice steady white light like from that lamp would really help turn my desk space into the the mini painting battle station it was meant to be! Black is beautiful and lamps are no exception! Cheers!
I need a lamp like Lukes neatfi because: the ceiling lights in my room are on the side of the room above a wall bookcase (I’m in an old library) so my desk is on the far wall opposite. I’m also left handed and always block my only light from lamps seemingly, so a moveable light would be an asset. I’m also off to grad school in a year for art conservation so i think this might see some professional use alongside my amateur model and hobby painting.
Really enjoyed that video, got me in the mood to build myself a little hobby space, got to be better than the kitchen counter lol. Would love one of those lamps, never seen a design like that. It looked really bright as well from what I saw.
I'm about 1/2 through building almost the exact same shelf setup for my painting setup in the garage. Some nice ideas in there for me to finish it up, particularly the extra bolstering for the tablet mount. Coincidently the only thing I'm missing now is a quality desk lamps currently I'm stuck with the cruddy florescent tube lamps on the ceiling and a tiny LED desk lamp. The NeatFi lamp looks like it would be perfect and the silver one looks schmick.
Green would be amazing! I have limited space as well so it would be great to acquire this unit to use especially with how flexible it looks to be. You're definitely right about the shock with the price of lumber.
I'd love a black Neatfi lamp to go with my grey desk, as I'm getting older I've found it harder to see what I'm working on in low light areas so a nice wide adjustable light would do wonders.
My hobby desk is smack bang on the other side of the room from where the light is placed in the room. A light will help me out immensly with being able to see what I'm doing better! Any colour would be great!
A black Neatfi lamp would be a solid upgrade to my old bog standard full spectrum. I've been trying to upgrade my painting game and light sources in my place aren't the best, and I haven't found a good setup that would allow me a solid balance and the ability to swing it in and out of range when not in use or in use. Love the videos as always, really enjoyed your static flocking ones as well. Has definitely made me push my hobbying up.
A black Neatfi lamp would definitely help. I'm a beginner painter coming back to the hobby after many years. Trying to set up a small space in my office for painting and a quality lamp is exactly what I need.
I like the shelf. It's very simple and very clean. If I were to get a lamp like that to help with my home hobby space would help clear up some desk space. I don't care what color it is, just that it doesn't take up a square foot of desk space
Really enjoy the direction your videos have gone, man. That's a cozy hobby room, wish I had a skylight like that. Would love one of those lamps, no colour preference. Need good lighting in here, and to replace my 15 year old droopy lamp.
It's a good cheap solution, I have a couple of the mdf racks and the footprint is quite large on the table, so I may think about doing something similar to you.
Just got into the hobby during last lockdown and it has been such a blessing. I suffer from tourettes (involuntary muscle tics) and when they are bad it can be quite painful, especially in times of stress. I've found that focusing on painting calms me down and eases the symptoms. I've just started to setup a dedicated space for painting my models, and a lamp would be an amazing addition! I think I'd choose black as the colour, to match my chair.
Odd that this is the project that's most inspired me to get out there and just kluge something together - but I'm going to chalk that up to summer. Thanks as always, Luke!
Great video mate, it was extremely nice of you to include my little video in yours ^_^ I need to build one of these racks or a couple of them.
The shelf idea is just what I needed for a new modelling room. Very helpful video.
The Gray 20" looks really nice. I'm honestly just tempted to buy one, even if I don't win. Perhaps I shouldn't say that, because that probably means they won't pick me to win one....
"Took away the wood grain and made it a bit more pleasing to look at." Those two halves of that statement are a direct contradiction :).
Making stuff yourself is always so much more rewarding than buying the premade options. It's almost always better, and most importantly, you can make it fit exactly how you need it, not just try to force it to fit your setup.
I printed out some that I really enjoy, but I like the simplicity of this to be honest, and I do still have a lot of empty wall space above those holders. The filming setup is also *chef's kiss* Great video, Luke!
My “hooby space” is a desk in the corner of the room that is also where I work. Im still using a bendy desk lamp from the 90’s! So a silver neatfi lamp would be more than amazing, thanks! 🤞
I find your hobby corner very cozy. You have a really nice lighting, and atmosphere in general. I like how you managed your pc and hobby desk together, it's definitely a place, where I could spend hours doing stuff. Somehow it resembles my own hobby desk, maybe that is the reason why I like it so much. All the best!
Woooo BBQ! great space luke
I think horizontal placement of paints (laying on the side) would be better than vertical. Gluing some coffe stirrers down prevents paint rolling off the shelf.
You can get nice free wood by reclaiming shipping pallets (get the HT ones, they are heat treated to get rid of bugs).
As for finish, I HATE painted stuff. It has no warmth in it. Just sand everything with a power tool (a cheap sander, around 15€) and place boiled linseed oil on top. The silky sensation to the touch is great, and fir gets a lovely warm honey shade.
I have tried building various paint "racks" over the years, they never really work, but a simple shelf, crafted to fit your space, that looks much more achievable! Currently I'm in a rented apartment, so no permeate wall attachments and I've been using an old small table with a standard desk lamp. That Neatfi lamp looks like it would function much better! If I would be chosen for the lamp give away, that silver lamp looks very cool!
Hey! I don't know if you're still in an apartment, but the easiest way to get around that is using the same L brackets he did, but instead of screwing them into the wall, use one of those wall mount strips from 3M. It's not as pretty, and you'll need a couple more than he used, but it does the trick!
Or, if you're okay with drilling into your desk a bit, you could screw it straight to the surface and put a long bracket or two across the back of both for extra stability.
thats awesome! i've been building my racks like this for the past few years. i use thinner strips of flat wood sold in the baseboard/moulding section of the builders supply/home depot, then i back it with foamcore or chipboard. i do drill the holes for the wire nails you need to use for such thin wood. then i reinforce it with weldbond/PVA and a few divider supports of the wood offcuts. perfect home project for those of those who don't have a woodshop. holds all the different sizes of paint pots, bottles and tubes beautifully! and if those neatfi lamps come in black, hook me up!
So sure, you could build your own, or buy another “miniature” paint rack... But anything you buy tied to the hobby is going to be expensive... Instead, why not buy a nail polish rack? Cheap, easy to put together, and fit all kinds of paints.
I thought about that there's not much of a difference
I got one of them but Citadel paint bottles don't fit in it like the Vallejo ones do. :(
I use the nail polish racks and they are really good, but they do take up more desk space than a vertical rack. The version I bought does fit Citadel paint pots.
That's what I use, works great.
@swubb you can get vertical racks you just need to search for wall attachable ones
Good point on the screws mate. The difference between cheap own brand, and Bullet brand screws saves so much time, hassle, and splits. They also take a massive hammering from the impact driver.
A black lamp would be a great help. The IKEA lamp I have is far too warm, and doesn't render colours too well, particularly greens.
Unfortunately when it comes to DIY I'm like an orc, hit it with a hammer then hit it some more.
You can always paint your paint racks red to make them go faster.
I have one of those MDF racks. I glued it all together firmly with PVA, then glued it to a wider base to add stability. It has never fallen over, or apart. It works fine. One big advantage is that you can see the colours immediately, without labels getting in the way. BTW, try sanding the pieces BEFORE putting them together.
I must be becoming an old man because that DIY is getting me excited
New to the hobby. Started in January to escape the stress of working 70 hours a week in a pandemic.
Would love ANY colour Neatfi Lamp. If I have to pick, maybe white. They look really well made, will help with my painting since my eyes aren't what they used to be and to be perfectly honest, I don't have the money to buy on.
Whoever wins, congratulations and hope it helps you enjoy this great hobby even more. Best of luck everyone. x
I'd like a black lamp, my wife started painting miniatures and took mine.
Wives..
I moved into a new space a month ago and have not been able to do any modelling / painting yet, simply because I have not found the proper workspace setup. Getting a grey Neatfi lamp has been on my to do list and would help me get back in the saddle. Great innovative shelf design Luke! Part of my dilemma in unpacking my modeling stuff is the best way to go vertical (and not make a mess of holes or wasted $). Thanks for the great vid!
I genuinely can’t see what I’m doing without a good amount of light due to my bad eye. Would be great to have a simple lamp that could do the job, otherwise I need to use 3-4 filming lights, haha. I’ll take a dozen in white!
I use a revolving nail varnish stand. Best thing I ever got for my paints. Holds a lot and doesn't take up much space. It's also moveable so can be positioned wherever I decide to paint.
I don't have a permanent painting space and it bothers me being discouraged just organizing a painting session, don't even have one of those fancy lamps either
Edit : I didn't even want one given away until I saw Rose gold was an option, I want that
GET. A. LAMP/ MAGNIFIER.
Great idea and well executed. DIY is always a better solution as it fits your space and your thinking about the efficiency of that space for what you want to do. I am in the final days of converting an attic in the house we bought four years ago into my gaming space. And am just now at the stage of building the painting and computer corner under the eaves by the chimney. This was the perfect video at the perfect time - thanks for the ideas and advice on doing it cheaply and quick.
Great work dude, love the end result. Looks like a great space to get a bit of painting done in
Nice! I built similar racks for my paints earlier this year - big difference! My next project is to build a desk that will serve as a hobby space and remote-work setup. Only lighting I have is from an overhead fixture, so a proper hobby light is on my list of improvements too.
I’m spending a lot of time looking after my Mum so I needed a portable setup to use at home or on her dining table. I’ve tried several but I picked up a 5-drawer paper sorting drawer, not quite tall enough to stand dropper bottles but it means the bottles roll around and partly pre-mix the paint (well ish).
I use different drawers for different paint sets (WW2 desert, WW2 Europe, Knights & Knaves and Sci-Fi - I make up toy soldier sets to give away to less well off kids).
The last drawer I use for paint brushes and a few odd tools. To work I can just take out the appropriate drawer when I’m doing a job.
The drawers don’t lock but a cheap webbing belt around the thing keeps them in and gives me a handle. Cheap, not ideal, but it works for me.
Many years ago in (I think) Airfix Magazine a chap built a rack for Humbrol tins with rollers and a motor so the tins were constantly rotating to keep the paint mixed, I keep thinking about having a go at one of those.
Got the details of that lamp? Looks like something I could really use.
32mm PVC pipe, a cutter and superglue works well and its cheap.
Just measure and cut.
Works really well for the bigger bottles of primer too.
Its also modular and stands on its own if you use the bigger cuts at the bottom.
Not had an issue in 5yrs plus.
You could also use bigger and smaller pipe sizes for a different style.
Just in time, as I was talking with my mom about paint racks yesterday. The lamp looks amazing by the way. The fact that it can be mounted on the table is amazing as I have a really tiny desk to work on to. Also, white light rocks!
Great self build fits your space perfectly the Neatfi Lamp colour I would like is the black as I paint on my dining room table with only one main light in the room it can get quite dark at times. I also need to be able to remove the light when finished painting. Black would also go well with the dark grey wall colour
I just started creating my hobby space and I just bought a load of cheap MDF racks due to being brand new to miniature painting, then I watched this video! lol So I'm not into DIY either but that setup looks great. I don't know anything about lamps, hadn't even thought about it and then you mention there's a competition for one. I've never won anything on the intranet so here goes. Thanks for the heads up on needing a lamp!
Would love one of these Neatfi lamps. Just finished building my shelves and desk and that clamping system would be ideal attached to either set of furniture. With black desk+shelves with a neon green accent stripe and glowing teal caution stripes on the desk. I could see the pink being a rocking balance color to help bring together that final look.
Uh, a white lamp would be so neat!^^
At this time I have to use my smartphone flashlight to paint minis, because the cabinet above my table fell of the wall and just wrecked everthing on the table, including my old work lamp.
It was a cheap one and did not even have a daylight light bulb anyway.
And thanks Luke for the great video. I really love the calmness that comes with your videos.
The only problem might be that paint bottles fall off as you remove one. Maybe run a piece of string or elastic across the shelf front at about half bottle height? Will hold them in place bit not prevent easy removal of each bottle? Great DIY project. If you do buy an MDF version then I suppose you could brace it by building a sturdy frame around it.
Great beginning project for anyone! I was big into wood working projects (just build a dining table with inset for gaming) but I've only just recently gotten into painting minutres. Right now I'm using my dining table with a plastic sheet to keep off the paint but would love a light like this in white to help see all the nooks and crannies of the stormtrooper armor I'm working on.
What a great easy way to make more space and have a secure versatile paint rack. I wish I only had a hobby room to myself.ive been using the half a large kitchen table but the wife still moans that we all can not sit down together to eat with "all that crap" on it.ive been using goodmans bendy lamp onside and a beltway on the other and iam always knocking them over reaching for stuff and many a time damaging my figures and knocking over water pots so anything thats out of the way and gives me more space would be great.My colour choice any colour will be OK it's the light that helps me paint better and not the colour of the lamp.cheers Luke and sorry for the long ramble....
I've been wanting a tablet stand for ages! Yet another super useful video. I built your LED lighting on on a monitor stand - i'm super pleased with it and learnt a lot. Thanks!
I'd be thrilled with a black lamp. I do a variety of arts and crafts (miniature paining, watercolor painting, ink drawing, acrylic painting, and I'm getting interested in quilting as of late), and good lighting is mandatory for good results!
I'm sitting in a corner with a slanted roof, so I've made a custom solution cardboard foam. It's good for sorting an saving space, but after a year I notice just how bad of a dust trap it is. I might look into a little plexiglass display cabinet instead, with a door in the front to keep the dust out
If you already have the rack, you could build a frame to bolt to the wall that you slip the MDF rack into. Could have done this with the frame you built, too.
By the way, love love love that the wood is 1"x2" strapping, yet the screws are in mm. UK is just as half-assed in measurements as the US.
I have acrylic paint racks for some of my paints and they work great. I also have a paint rack system I bought from Warchest Creations on Etsy. Once I glued it all up it became rock solid. I really love it, and it is super affordable.
Perfect. You convinced me to build a hack myself.
Now I just need a good lighting. I think the Neatfi Lamp is the best for minis. I have tried 2 lamps, a led strip, many colors of bulbs ... and I have never been able to find a good combination.
I hope I can be the graced one with the Neatfi Lamp.
I have already bought the materials.
Tomorrow I start building. It will be a rack with 4 levels.
Do you have an Instagram so I can send you a photo when it is finished?
That racks a nice idea. Got some spare wood from building my new shed so will be starting a new project straight away and get my paint pots out of a biscuit tin! Nice one Luke!
Hi Neatfi. As mentioned, just finished setting up a new shed for hobbies. Sadly it’s only 6ft x 4ft, so one of your lamps would be ideal in my limited space! A white one would fit in with the walls once I get them painted white. Many thanks.
I've just gotten started with the hobby and this lamp would do wonders for my little workspace -- white looks so good!
Great video, I've been putting off building my own paint rack for ages now and I think it's about time I just cracked on with it and got it done. That lamp would be perfect for my hobby space. I've got a slanted roof like yourself and I've been making do with two bedside lamps and natural light which isn't great considering I don't often get time to paint in the day what with having a baby. Fingers crossed and bets of luck to everyone.
Great build, ot just goes to show that you dont need to spend alot, this paint shelf im going to have a go at but at a size that will fit on the desk on the landing. The Neatfi white lamp would be brilliant to light up this dark space that i try to use as my hobby area.
Greetings from Alaska! Great job and great idea. Just starting a build for my Tamyia paints. I'm going to add a recess using a Forstner bit to cut about halfway into my 1x3 (inch) boards for the bottles to sit in (we have earth quakes every so often).
I actually got one of those lamps and I'm really surprised how nice it is, was recommended widely but you never know with some of these things until you get one. Really bright and lights up my work area but the main thing is the stand doesn't wobble like crazy or move when push the power button. That more than anything surprised me.
That being said, a grey one to put in my basement for where I'm setting up an airbrushing area would be a nice upgrade from the bare overhead bulb that's there now.
That light is a true piece of art in itself! I work a from fairly early in the morning until the evening, and then school has to come first before anything else of course, so when it does finally come time for painting, it’s often very dark. Normally I could use my overhead ceiling lights, but I live with my girlfriend (who works 60 hour weeks on average in a laboratory) and she is often in bed far before I have the time to flick on enough lights to actually see where my paint is going! Lots of multicolored painted fingertips and palms are the result haha. It would be more than a life saver to have a small but powerful light like that yo keep my eyes on the prize of getting better at what has easily the best and most rewarding past times I could ever want: painting minis! And for the record, despite her long hours and very taxing work, I’d say that anytime my girlfriend isn’t in a lab or bent over her work, she’a right next to me painting her own armies, often blowing me out of the water with her patience and skill! Thanks for the upload, that shelf and especially the light are extremely beautiful and well made!
A black lamp would be fantastic! My own little Gork and Mork kids are starting to share my hobby space for painting and this would be a fantastic way of keeping things well lit!
Good luck everyone!
Great setup Luke! I was just about to buy one of those cheap mdf racks, thanks for saving me from disappointment 👍
About the lamp, I'd love to get one of those, color doesn't matter, reason is that I'm just starting now to paint on commission and I have purchased lots of equipment recently, to be more professional. This includes better brushes, a better airbrush, inks and varnishes I was missing.. A led 5000k desk lamp would mean a world of difference. Right now, with my dwindling budget I'll have to make do with desk lamps and daylight bulbs.
Cheers for your great videos 👍
Love the setup quick and functional. I’d love a lavender neatfi as my little girl uses my hobby desk for her painting and drawing and she’ll love it!
I actually bought a cheap one from amazon, made by pro scale, a Spanish company. The way it's designed it holds both citadel and droppers, cost about 20 Euro wouldn't even need PVA glue since the fit is quite tight (I still used some because better be safe than sorry).
I built one out of foam core. Only needed tacky glue and cocktail sticks and it is stable. Holds 198 Vallejo/Army Painter paints end on plus56 Citadel pots standing up.
Could do with a better lamp mind :) - So yes please on that. White or Black would be good.
I would like a white Neatfi lamp. I've started a new hobby of making brass electronic jewelry which requires quite detailed work. There isn't a window in there and the overhead light is very dim. I have to get quite close to the solder fumes to see anything. Awesome video! Love the paint rack.
Looks great.
I could really make use of one of those lamps as the one I have now is unable to stay upright without drooping down constantly and I get really annoyed by it.
I am likely to be putting a new hobby space together sometime soon when I move and your method could be just the ticket for space saving and affordable. Will be better than constantly moving the keyboard and mouse out of the way as with my current set up.
Great video, no matter how much work space I have, I quickly find myself needing a little more. The Neatfi lights are really cool, I have seen several hobbiests using them in videos. I think it would be great to have an adjustable light sorce for painting and videos. I would prefer a black one since that is the color scheme I have.
I actually designed and 3D printed my own paint racks. Built it to fit a very specific shelving system, and I LOVE them!
I like the black! Looks sharp! I'm looking to get one for my son who is quite the painter. I keep telling him that lighting makes a huge difference!
I’m currently building a rotation paint rack that is mostly 3D printer and will hold 200 bottles. If you’re interested in seeing what I’m up to let me know. I like the rack you made. Simple and to the point!
Great timing on this video! I’m currently trying to redo my office to have a hobby space along with my home office.
I would love one of these lights for my new hobby / office space! White color would be awesome!
Great video, I'll try this quick and dirty solution as soon as I have space for a dedicated hobby corner again.
A white Neatfi lamp would be very helpful as my desk is tiny, so the small footprint of the clamp would come in really handy.
Might be worth putting a price of card stock in between the top of the paints and the next shelf to give an even space. Also an 8th inch lip on the front might help paints from falling off. Other than that just aesthetic things like another piece of the shelf back board for the whole shelf. Superb work all the same.
Awesome, inexpensive setup. I currently working on plans for a wide rack for the back of my painting desk. Would love to have one of these lamps to light up my desk and to help with miniature photos!
Great video, I've just moved into a new hobby space and the grey neatfi lamp would do the job perfectly as I'm using an old desk lamp due to my nearest roof light being about 8ft away
looks great and the light gives your workspace a clean professional look, might have to try making one, my paints are slid into pieces of pvc pipe i hot glued together
A neat thing I've seen is to use the pink foam, drilled to size for your bottles, to make sure things don't shift. I liked it because it's usual scrap we've got laying around anyways.
Having moved in to student accomodations for my first year at university I've been trying to get a hobby station up and running on my desk, however the light has been the worst; a Black Neatfi lamp that I could clamp to the desk Instead of mounting to a wall or ceiling and take with me afterwards when I move out in the next couple months would be a hobby-saver for sure!
I'm a student with a very small desk, I have a bedroom lamp without a shade on top of my computer tower for a painting light and I would like to have a boom arm lamp to have a less horrid light to paint and a bit more space. I have no preference of lamp but blue or black would be nice
Hi Luke great tutorial and definitely a cheaper alternative to buying a good quality paint rack.
I've got the Hobbyzone range (purchased before Brexit) currently but find the paint pot holders for the vallejo style bottles are great. But for the Tamiya style it doesn't hold the bottles on the shelf, with the vibration from my compressor they tend to move, then fall off the shelf. They need to be slightly smaller, definitely to loose a fit which is a shame.
Looking after the Warley TH-cam channel and setting up a studio at home a Neatfi white light would be so useful and help with the lighting issues we have had with making videos and the live streams we have been doing.
Take care Andy
one thing you could do on v2.0 is to have a front lip on the shelfs so everything has to be tilted to go in and out, the perk of this would be preventing anything from falling off the shelfs or being bumped off. but thats if you want or feel its needed. ive always like the secured feeling since my desk tends to shake a bit
White lamp is what I need. Gave the old one away some time ago to a friend who needed it more than I did at the time. Now I am needing one for my paint jobs : )
I’d love a white lamp as I do all my painting in the evenings since I work during the day, and since I rent I can’t put anything on the walls. This looks like a great way to get that consistent light for painting in the evenings.
Id love a white lamp. I have tried so many lamps over the years, and the Neatfi lamps look like they are light weight and would give me a much wider light beam. I love watching your videos Luke!
Nicely done. I actually do woodworking as a side hobby (along with minis and railways! So many "little" hobbies!) and where I have my lathe in my shed is right at the back and means that I cast my own shadow over the lathe work I am doing. One of those Neatfi lamps would be absolutely amazing, to make sure I can actually see what I'm doing. I'm currently using a head torch, on top of my dust mask and faceshield. Doesn't make for very comfortable turning! Cheers for this Luke, another great little video. (Edit: not fussy over the colour of the lamp. Any?!)
Nice tutorial thanks. As for the Neatfi Lamp, I think I would choose the classic black one.
Would fit perfect into my new miniature corner as I just started painting roughly three weeks ago.
This ended up great, I'm gonna try to build one myself. I'd just add a small strip on the bottom/outside to really hold on to the bottles. My clumsy hands are always overreaching and knocking stuff over.
Im currently in the process of reorganizing my hobby room. Gutted it. Painted it. Added an extra desk. Ordered some new paint racks etc
I did plan to make some but the last one i made was a slight pain due to not having certain tools.
i don't need a lamp for myself, but my son has one written down on his birthday wishlist, since it doesn't say a color, id say black!
that would really make his hobby area more useable!
thanksyou much for the chance!
I'd love a black version of that Neatfi lamp, my hobby space is very dark and natural light in the UK is pretty much non-existant! Would be nice to be able to paint miniatures at any time without worrying about being able to see properly.
Nice setup! I just got the chance to make my own hobby room, and this idea will save me money $$...but I still haven't a proper light! A white one like yours would fit perfectly with my furniture and will help me go further in the hobby. Cheers!
I'd like a black one since black goes with everything. The reason why I need one is because all I have is an old desk lamp from the 70's. And being long term unemployed, I can't really afford something really nice. So it would be amazing to have some really good light!
That light is so slick! I'd love a white one, just like yours. I've tried several lights from amazon, but just haven't been thrilled with any of them. I'd love something to really help my hobbying to the next level.
As a fledgling miniature sculptor I'd love a white lamp for the new hobby and making space I'm setting up in a new home, after 12 years in my current one!
My hobby desk is a old tiny desk from the 80’s. Currently has a cheap lamp from a dollar general with a day bulb. Neatfi lamp in black would help me out a lot, with space and lighting.
Ive been thinking while now how to organize my hobby desk. So..its more wood work for me. White lamp would finish things of nicely. White would get wife’s seal of approval too 😂👍🏻 Thx for the tips Luke! 👌🏻
Gr8 vid m8! Having some nice steady white light like from that lamp would really help turn my desk space into the the mini painting battle station it was meant to be! Black is beautiful and lamps are no exception! Cheers!
I need a lamp like Lukes neatfi because: the ceiling lights in my room are on the side of the room above a wall bookcase (I’m in an old library) so my desk is on the far wall opposite. I’m also left handed and always block my only light from lamps seemingly, so a moveable light would be an asset. I’m also off to grad school in a year for art conservation so i think this might see some professional use alongside my amateur model and hobby painting.
Really enjoyed that video, got me in the mood to build myself a little hobby space, got to be better than the kitchen counter lol. Would love one of those lamps, never seen a design like that. It looked really bright as well from what I saw.
I'm about 1/2 through building almost the exact same shelf setup for my painting setup in the garage. Some nice ideas in there for me to finish it up, particularly the extra bolstering for the tablet mount. Coincidently the only thing I'm missing now is a quality desk lamps currently I'm stuck with the cruddy florescent tube lamps on the ceiling and a tiny LED desk lamp. The NeatFi lamp looks like it would be perfect and the silver one looks schmick.
Green would be amazing! I have limited space as well so it would be great to acquire this unit to use especially with how flexible it looks to be. You're definitely right about the shock with the price of lumber.
That light looks real good for painting minis. I'm using an old school mini nightstand lamp from 2001 that puts a yellow tint out. great paint rack
I'd love a black Neatfi lamp to go with my grey desk, as I'm getting older I've found it harder to see what I'm working on in low light areas so a nice wide adjustable light would do wonders.
My hobby desk is smack bang on the other side of the room from where the light is placed in the room. A light will help me out immensly with being able to see what I'm doing better! Any colour would be great!
A black Neatfi lamp would be a solid upgrade to my old bog standard full spectrum. I've been trying to upgrade my painting game and light sources in my place aren't the best, and I haven't found a good setup that would allow me a solid balance and the ability to swing it in and out of range when not in use or in use. Love the videos as always, really enjoyed your static flocking ones as well. Has definitely made me push my hobbying up.
A black Neatfi lamp would definitely help. I'm a beginner painter coming back to the hobby after many years. Trying to set up a small space in my office for painting and a quality lamp is exactly what I need.
I just started doing miniature painting and in the middle of getting a set up going and need a lamp. Thanks for the tips in your videos.
I like the shelf. It's very simple and very clean. If I were to get a lamp like that to help with my home hobby space would help clear up some desk space. I don't care what color it is, just that it doesn't take up a square foot of desk space
Really enjoy the direction your videos have gone, man. That's a cozy hobby room, wish I had a skylight like that. Would love one of those lamps, no colour preference. Need good lighting in here, and to replace my 15 year old droopy lamp.
It's a good cheap solution, I have a couple of the mdf racks and the footprint is quite large on the table, so I may think about doing something similar to you.