I finished my shop!!!!

Roadrunner

Roadrunner

Joined
Jun 9, 1999
Messages
4,729
Well, sorta. :rolleyes: As with all things it's a work in progress, but I can finally get some work done now. I can't stop grinning since this was finished last night, for three years all I've wanted was my own space to set this up in and now the dream is reality. Also one more thank you to Dan and Mark for the tools and steel, it would have been much more difficult to get set up without their help. Anyway, here's the pics:

shop pics 003.jpg


The bench is bracketed to the wall to minimize movement while working. Before I did this and put new legs on the bench it was almost impossible to cut steel because the bench wobbled around all over the place.

shop pics 004.jpg


This is my first completed project. It's a Kumar Karda that I rehandled with a block of bloodwood that Mark Nelson graciously donated to help me get started. (Thanks again for that, it turned out beautifully!) I also sharpened the blade, ground in a finger choil and added traction grooves to the spine. Any and all comments are welcome. :)

shop pics 008.jpg


Closeup of the traction grooves.

shop pics 012.jpg
 
RR, nice looking setup. And you ALMOST have enough belts for the sander.

The handle looks really good. Tru-Oil?

Is bloodwood hard to work? Haven't tried it yet.

Congratulations.
 
Hehe, I got a bulk order of belts from Discount Abrasives. With more on the way! The bloodwood was kind of tough to work, it's extremely dense. Still, I did all of the shaping with a rasp and now that I have the bandsaw cutting won't be so difficult. And yes, the finish is Tru-Oil, about 10-12 coats, I lost count after 5.

Danny, thanks. :) Funny you should mention tactical, one of my housemates bought it before it was finished to take to Afghanistan next month. It should serve him well.
 
You did a really nice job on that karda, Roadrunner... The bloodwood handle is beautiful! :D Best wishes with your shop.
 
RR, if you'd like some ironwood to try out, send me an email with your address. It's a beautiful chocolate color, and it has its name for a reason.
 
<sniff> We're so proud of you son...

1. Congrats on the shop
2. Beautiful job on the JKM
3. Will you be taking work doing Tru-Oil jobs?
D. You'll find it easier to stay on the bike in a horizontal position
 
Very nice - it's way too clean though. :D

Great looking handle job, and pics. :)
 
Roadrunner,

So cool to see you getting your own space. Know you gotta be loving it after coming straight from a communal living arrangement! Your shop looks great and your first project is awesome!!!!!!!!!
 
Aardvark; e-mail sent and thank you!

Will you be taking work doing Tru-Oil jobs?
Click to expand...

That and more. Consider me open for business. :)

Very nice - it's way too clean though.
Click to expand...

You should have seen it before I put the pegboard up and bought a trash can. :eek:

And thanks to everyone for the kind words. :cool: More projects are in the works so as Uncle says, stay tuned.
 
Excellent work, RR:)
That shop looks like the perfect place to start down your path of knifemaking greatness. There are so many talented fellas in this forum. keep us posted with your work:)

Jake
 
Wow, your set up is better then mine. Cleaner anyway ;) . I am glad that you liked the Bloodwood, I was happy to send it your way. The handle turned out very nice. Can't wait to see more of your stuff. :cool:
 
Burchtree said:
way too clean though.
Click to expand...
Exactly what I was thinking....:D

But that'll change soon, I'm sure. ;)


RR - got a nice setup. I took pics of my shop, but since my home pc is dead right now :( they're still on the camera.

Love the lil' Kumar Karda..!!


Off to a great start, Kurt.


[edited to add]

This thread is making me wanna get off my rear and get some stuff done today....:eek:.....awesome!
 
NEAT Karda. Gives me ideas... Will be re-building my shop next spring. Hurrican Ivan just put 4 ft of bay water/muck in my garage, luckily power tools were up high. :grumpy:
 
I love that handle Roadrunner. Wish I knew how to do work like that, and I already have a fairly decent shop, but not the know-how or skill. I think I need to get a cheapie siru or AK or karda and just tear it apart to see how everything fits together!

Great job, and thanks for sharing!

Norm
 
Great lookin' shop RR! There are some very important pieces of equipment that I recommend - perhaps you have them ;)

A good dust collector - breathing dust from tropical woods can be seriously poisonous. Other wood and handle material dust ain't good for you either. :eek: See my previous posts on this subject for more details.

A smoke detector - sparks and spontaneous combustion scare me. My shop is inside the house :eek:

A big ABC fire extinguisher by the door. :eek:

A galvanized steel trash can (s). No plastic here, it burns. Keep the steel lid close by :eek: I put mine on casters so I can put it wherever it belongs.

Good lighting is very important. I have 2 tube, 4' fluorescent shop lights over each work area on chains so I can raise or lower them according to the light I need, and incandescent tasks lights where needed.

The knife looks good. I'm looking forward to seeing some great stuff from you. :D
Brian
 
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