Getting a shop built...

Phillip Patton

Phillip Patton

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
5,381
Ok, I'm calling around getting quotes for a pole building (for making knives in :)).
What size is good for a one man knife shop? Is 24" X 40" a good size?
My current shop is 12" X 12" ... :eek:

Thanks,
 
I'm working in a 20' x 24' shop and it would be plenty big if it wasn't for the woodworking
equipment that I seldom use anymore.

Just remember, It's nice to have a heated shop in the winter and the bigger the shop the harder it will be to heat.

Take Care
Charles
 
It doesnt matter the size. Once you spread your wings into a bigger place, it seems to fill up fast.

Go as big as you can afford and put up temporary inner walls to the size you do finer work in. My barn is 48 x 48 with partial space of this has two levels, but I only heat a 20 x 30 area on the ground level.

p.s Charles , Let me know if that woodworking stuff is just too much in the way :)

Mark
 
My shop area is 24 X 30. Just depends on how much junk you need and then if you pick things up on a weekly basis. The more room you have the less frequent the cleanings.
 
The knife shop is 16x20, it is inside a 30x60 which holds the remainder of my junk. You can not have, to large, a building. Raymond, gives some sage advice above on the frequency of cleaning.

Fred
 
Mine is a 30x36, which was as big as I could afford. Go as big as you can afford, you'll fill it, don't worry ;)

-d
 
My shop is tiny by comparison. It's 12 X 16. I couldn't make it any larger, because the set backs for my property didn't allow anything larger. The SW corner of my shop is 8" from the property line set back. The SE corner is 9" from the property line set back. The other corners are towards the center of the property, with the NW corner attached to my house. Basically, 8 feet of the north wall (half the 16 foot wall) is attached.

I have all of my forging equipment on wheels, so that I can roll it out on the back patio. Since my back patio is 10 X 20, I have all the room I need. I just don't have anyplace (pouting) to put a power hammer. We all make the best of the situation that we have to deal with!

Ickie
 
Phillip Patton said:
Ok, I'm calling around getting quotes for a pole building (for making knives in :)).
What size is good for a one man knife shop? Is 24" X 40" a good size?
My current shop is 12" X 12" ... :eek:

Thanks,
Click to expand...

12"x12"? You make knives in a gym locker?

I kid, I kid. My work are is a crap-laden garage.
 
My current shop is 14 by 18
My plan for the new shop is 24 x 32
Everybody is different however and so is their needs.
Do what you think best.
Thanks,
Del
 
I work in a walled in 12'x12' area in my parents garage...its way to small!!
i hope for a 3 stall garage...but i have to buy a house first....
 
im not sure i could even stack most of my tools in a 12x12

right now im way to tight in my make shift "shop and i have my heat treating in a different place im thinkning no small er for me then 24x30 with storage up top
 
I have a 12X24 shop and closed in 12X24 smithy both connected end to end....Didnt think I would ever fill it all up when I built it....Wrong.....I need to double the size some day....Get the biggest yu can as you will eventually get more things than the room will hold.
Bruce
 
I have a 12x24 area for knife work and a 20x24 general shop are (forge, welding etc.) Need to get it all situated and layes out better. It is never enough
 
Well, if I ever get my house built I'm planning on building and have the foundation dirt work done for a 24x30' shop, not including the drop shed that will be the smithy. I'm curently working in a 20x20 and it is nice, but a little cramped with all the crap that needs to go in the barn.
 
Thanks for the input, guys! I'll think I'll go with 24 X 40, minimum, hopefully bigger.

I'll keep y'all posted as far as developments.
 
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