New shop advice please

T

TomW

Joined
Oct 7, 1998
Messages
1,128
After many years or non action I'm finally biting the bullet and making the shop buildings I've always wanted.
First is a simple open pole type- Pole supported roof would be a better description
I like working outside and the roof would be a nice way to do it without actually getting wet or sun drenched- I'll add an open hearth type fire pit for an occasional barbacue and maybe even pound a bit of steel but the main use will be for building small boats.
The main building will be a traditional woodworking shop.
radiant in slab heat. Attached I plan a grinding room. Most of the clean work will be done in the wood shop.
The grinding room will be small.
Here is where I really need advice gents. Sheet metal enclosure for the grinders with collection system going to outside drum.
Your success or failures could be a big help to me
How small have you been able to get away with for a basic grinding room? possibly adding a small portable forge and anvil
Grinding and furniture making don't mix so I'll have a pain in the ass but necessary outside entrance
Anybody have good luck with radiant heat in New England climate?
What system or equipment did you use?
The picnic grove type roof is a bit flakey I know but it's all about enjoying life and I think it's well worth the use or the land.
I might possibly add pop on panels to it for the cooler seasons to cut the wind. Maybe sliding barn door type hardware hung.
Any tips. advice, links or suppliers greatly appreciated
 
My pithetic shop is still the living room. Even a tent with only a pole in the center would keep the carpet cleaner. It is a conviction. A shop does not have to be the first step. I guess all this is silly, but true for what I have.

RL
 
I started in an old shack on our property with holes in the roof, and even more in the floor!
Sounds like your shop will be MUCH nicer than what I work in.. And I consider this new shop state of the art compared to the old one..:( ;)
All I can say is, The shop does not a knifemaker make, but it sure as hell doesnt hurt..:D
 
Man-o-man! Make sure you got lighting strong enough to see what you are doing, and electrical outlets...plenty of them!
 
Nice way to start! My first ones were made mostly on our kitchen table and down in our dark, damp basement when the kids were sleeping. Then moved to our old Model T garage. New shop is small, 12X12, but has lots of room compared to the kitchen table. You can't judge a knife by the size of the shop! See Roger's work, if in doubt.
 
How do you manage to keep things clean in a small shop.
My reasoning with the woodworking shop I'm making is from past experience. This time I'm going to have a tight sanding room and tight paint booth. Good filtration
I can see a lot of problems grinding and finishing knives in the same room.
Has this been as much a problem with you knifemakers as I imagine?
I'll definately haul a grinder outside under the roof for seasonal work. And although not very efficient I'll use a portable forge there also.
The missing item from my plan is the size of the grinding room.
Knowing my nature I'll want more room no matter how big it is and I'll also fill any extra room with junk.
Can 6 by 8 be a reasonable size? Some times a small room can force orderly operation. That's what I'm shooting for.
Any tips on a sheet metal enclosure for the grinding with a simple collection system?
I was not planning on heating the grinding room. A small room can be easily heated for occasional use. Maybe I should, just to keep the machinery dry. I could always super insulate.
 
Hello Tom!!
I've had ideas about building small sanding and grinding rooms and such to keep the dust and debris under control. My idea was to make the room as sealed as possible except for a good vent system in the ceiling, and the floor would be made like a large shallow funnel covered with steel grating. If necessary, you could back the grating with some screen to prevent small items from falling thru. The dust collector/vacuum system would hook up to the center of the funnel in the floor to capture the dust and crud that fell thru. This idea seemed logical since most of the crap generated by my grinder ended up on the floor of my shop anyway. Gravity plus a good air flow should remove the vast majority of it. Probably a dumb idea but I might try it someday. Anyway, thought I'd share it incase it might give you an idea. You take care Tom and good luck with the new shop!
 
There was series of articles in Blade Mag a couple years ago entitled "Super Shop" Might have been Herndon I don't remeber. Buncha great tips in there including the grinding room.

It would be worth the time to look up that set of aticles if I was building a new shop.
 
Tom,
Good seeing you here.
John Greco has a neat grinding room. It's about 8 x 14 and he has a number of thru the wall louvered exhaust fans. You go in and close the door, turn the fans on and it's like negative space. He has just enough venting from the main shop to allow the fans to suck the air right out.:) He has buckets under the grinders to catch the big stuff.

imho, 8'x12' is plenty of space for a grinding room. As someone mentioned earlier, good lighting is a must have.
 
My old original Model T garage (11'X21') is for my really dirty work, new 12X12 shop within spitting distance of the old one is for finishing. Nice thing about the old one is that it still has the sectioned walk in door and the vehicle door on the same end and track. I can open the two walk in doors and have a draw draft, or open the whole end of the shop. They build usefull in those days. With a 10" table saw, 48" wood lathe, and the Wilton grinder and other machines in the old building, it is a good place to leave them and all the dust, ect. Now, if I just had no neighbors it would be perfect. New shop is one of those Menard's barn kits with added support, windows,walk in door, and over head storage. Should have built 24'! I think you guys know what I mean by that!
 
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