Review: TGJ Hobbies- Mini Rack and Basic Rack
By: Lyn Stahl, Metalhead Minis
Company: TJG Hobbies
Material: Âź" Ply Maple Wood
Mini Rack Price: $25
Basic Rack Price: $45
Website: www.tgjhobbies.com
Be sure to check them out on Kickstarter!
I had the pleasure of meeting the trio who created TGJ Hobbies at ReaperCon 2015. The same place where they launched their Kickstarter. Tim Martin and Gabe Martinez were friends since junior high. Years ago, they got back into the hobby of gaming, including table top wargaming. In 2010, Tim was working on the idea of a modular solution for hobby paints and tools. Tim, Gabe, and another close friend Jonathan Blair, came together and started designing prototypes with the goal of having a product that will set them apart. By October 2014, TGJ Hobbies became an official business.
The hobby racks are made from Âź" ply maple wood. The reason for this choice of material and thickness? Durability. Compared to the Material MDF (particle board, plywood) which most other hobby racks are made from, maple wood is much stronger and is much more likely to withstand accidents and damage. This would mean that a rack like this could be better suited for hobbyists with children and pets (like myself). Or hobbyists in general who are rough on their hobby tools and/or furniture.
Even my large and rambunctious orange tabby cat was no match for one of my basic hobby racks. He recently made one fly off the table while I was reorganizing the studio, no damage to the rack at all. I have also watched the drop tests in person that were done by Tim. He would drop mini racks from the top of his 6 foot, 4 inch frame, and no damage would occur to the rack. Even when he dropped it on its corners. It was funny to him watching the rest of us cringe in fear of seeing a rack shatter into pieces. Has not happened yet from what I have seen.
At this time, the hobby racks do not come with instructions. They are very easy to assemble. However, while putting together my mini rack at Reapercon, it did cause a moment of frustration when it came time to make sure both sides came together and stayed. Once a little âhand hammeringâ was used, the parts did hold together. In the process, I did chip a corner to one of the side panels. It ended up having no effect on completing the assembly process nor the durability of the rack. Once I got back to the studio, we used some gorilla glue to permanently put the panels together.
I did discuss with Tim about the panels not totally holding together without some effort. He said that it is something that they are already working on.
Mini Rack -$25
The mini rack is totally ideal for the beginner hobbyist or perhaps a hobbyist with very limited space. It is about 8-10 inches wide and 12 inches deep, holds 18 eyedropper paint bottles, one water cup holder, and has holes for brushes to stand in. Also small enough for travel.
Basic Rack- $45
Can also be used in some limited space situations. The size is 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep. The basic rack holds 36 eyedropper paints, 2 water cup holders, and holes for multiple brushes to stand in. Can also be used in travel.
**NOTE: Examples of eyedropper bottle paints- Reaper Master Series, Vallejo, Army Painter, Scale 75, and Game Color.
Shelves can also be cut to fit Privateer Pressâ P3 line and Games Workshop/Citadel paints.
Aside from the maple wood that is used for the racks, customers do have the option of ordering their racks to be made from other woods as well. These wood options include Rosewood, Mahogany, Ebony, And more.
What I personally like about the maple wood is that it gives you the option to customize the color. You can easily stain it or paint it whatever color you want.
TGJ Hobbies can replace their logo on the racks with your logo or even your name. During ReaperCon, TGJ made awesome limited edition basic racks with the Reaper Miniatures logo on them. They made 10 and they all sold quickly. As long as there is room and it is feasible, they can do it.
They can also customize the shelves to fit a mixture of products as long as they are given the dimensions.
One of the things that some people say about this product is that they are pricy. Do keep in mind, that this is one of those items where âyou get what you pay forâ. If you want real cheap and donât care about quality, then this truthfully might not be the item for you. However, if you want quality, long lasting, and able to take a beating, this might be a product worth looking into.
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