Suggestions for setting up a workshop

[Stonefish]

Hi all,

This is a cross-post from the newsgroup alt.crafts.blacksmithing, I'm looking for tips on setting up a workshop in my yard. My primary interest is blade making. Not necessarily smithing at this stage, but with that in mind for the future. I have a small
yard in a residential neighborhood. I'd like to use a wooden shed (say 10'x10', no windows, yet) for my workshop. I would like to install a small propane forge for heat treating, but obviously don't want to asphyxiate myself. I want also to use an anvil (in an ideal world - some of you experts out there can feel free to call me a kook!), as well as a few modern machine
tools such as a grinding wheel, benchtop drill press and benchtop bandsaw,
provided that there is room. Noise is an issue, as neighbors are close.

Suggestions or comments? Does this sound like an exercise in stupidity? Does anyone see any real 'gotchas' aside from proper ventilation? I'd appreciate any feedback that you can offer!

Stone

 

[Matt Janiga]

Besides the problem with ventilation, if you try to run a forge in such a small place, you may get a little too warm for comfort. I would suggest running the forge outside of the shed, but under a roof of some sort so there would be some shade and protection from rain. I would also move your anvil outside when you work so heat loss and the inconvenience of walking back into the shed won't be a problem.
I don't see any major problems with having some machines in that size space as long as you don't make it too crowded. You will, as you said, want to make sure you have adequate air flow when you do any grinding, buffing, etc.
The main problem will involve the noise factor. Grinding and forging can be quite loud. Dampen the ringing of the anvil by putting some belts, with weight hung from them, over the horn when not working on it.

Good Luck!