New shop woes

K

Kunklec

Joined
Aug 21, 2006
Messages
230
I have been hanging around here for about 2 years. Retired in January, 08 and am now starting my new get rich occupation of knifemaking!! Since I started acquiring tools and equipment years ago while building cars, fixing planes and building custom guns, my "stuff" overran my space and I took over the garage. Since I keep adding necessary equipment for forging and grinding, my wife encouraged me to build a shop. Actually she wants to put her car in the garage.
A friend of mine in construction hooked me up with one of his crew to build a 24X30 shop. Good price, very energetic, trying to branch out on his own. Now, 5 weeks later, he is still makjng excuses for the many delays. Good thing I used to teach anger management, since the delays are really getting to me. Part of the frustration is my wife offered to buy me a Little Giant for my birthday - July 22 - and there are 3 on Ebay. WIth no place to put it and no end in sight, I hate to commit yet.
Sorry for the long rant, thanks for listening.
By the way, for an old new knifemaker, is there any practical difference between a 25 and a 50 pound Little Giant? With shipping, the ones on Ebay will total about the same $$$.
Chip Kunkle
 
imho

with power hammers more is better, until you get into the BIG boys

go for the 50 and learn to tune it so it hits JUST like you want.

I.E. a 50 can be made to hit gentle, but a 25 can only hit as hard as a 25, yaknow
 
Can't help you on the best choice for little giant. I'll be taking notes when someone posts a tip on which is best ;)

In regards to your buddies crew making excuses about getting started on your shop, I ....... feel ......... your .......... pain !

I had the same problems when I put my shop up. What a pita it was. I ended up doing most of the work on my own, with the help of my dad and a couple friends of mine. I also hired a couple of morman builders that finished the siding, trusses and roof....... like they were running from the devil. FAST ! These guys pulled into my driveway whistling and singing and didn't stop until they were done. Best crew I've ever seen ..... ever ! Great Lakes Builders. I would hire them again in a heartbeat. Yes, I understand your frustration. The day after I poured the floor in my shop we had about 18" of wet, heavy snow. Thats how late in the year it ended up being because of delays and f**king around by unreliable contractors. It sucks !

I hope it works out for you. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger when it comes to getting jerked around though. There are some fantastic contractors out there, but like anything else, there are some real dandies too. Good luck :thumbup:

Oh, BTW, when you find that deal on your little giant, pick it right up ! Even if the shop isn't finished. Just store it in the garage :D :D ;)
 
I'm thinking you should buy the 50# like others have suggested. Buy it now and store it in my shop, until you need it. :p
 
I agree with what Stephan said. Remember, you can do small work on a big hammer, but its impossible to do large work on a small hammer. I had both 25s and 50s in the shop for nearly 20 years. A few years ago I purchased an air hammer from Tom Clark, and then sold off the Little Giants.
 
I have a 25 and a 100lb Little Giant. I use the 100lb much more than the 25. I would recomend the 50.
 
Look @ the brite side - you will, sooner or la8er, have your very own, dedicated WS ! Quite a few us have to settle for much lesser real estates :(

Now sure what the weather's like @ your place, but you should be able to get what you want, assuming a good deal comes around, and just tarp it outside, no ?
 
Scottickes,
I had not even thought about letting you store it for me. Start looking out the window, I will have it shipped there on... What day does Hell freeze over at your place?
It will not fit in the garage, there is no room at that inn. I could keep it outside under tarp, its about 100 here in the daytime. My fear is that the LG is aleady 90+ years old, and probably won't survive another 50 years in storage before the shop gets done (at the pace it is going).
Ed, I looked at the air hammers but could not find anyone with experience on them. Good to know you like yours. Any special problems?
Thanks all for empathy and input.
Chip Kunkle
 
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