The knife making bug bit me!

shaynster

shaynster

Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Messages
354
I started putting this shop together 6 weeks ago. It started as a bare shed, I ran the electric, insulated, and put the osb up. My plan is to put a/c and heat in it. There is still plenty more I need, but I got the basics. I started making my first knife this weekend. Here's some pics.



Yes, a Grizzly :rolleyes:



Still need to organize the tools



The other end. Not sure what I'm putting there, besides a window.





My poartaband.





Exhaust fan.

 
Here is the knife. It's not much, but it's my first knife. It's 1084 and I'm going to try heat treating it myself. See any thing I should do before heat treating?







 
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It's looking pretty good for a first knife. I like your shop too. Don't forget to add a fire extinguisher ;)
 
Nice little set up you've got there. I didn't notice an oven though. How are you planning on doing the H.T.?
About how much did it cost in materials to build your shop? I've been thinking of doing something similar so I don't have to travel back and forth to work so much.
I'd at least like to move my H.T. equipment into it.
 
I'm pretty sure a lot of guys have used one of those brick forges, I know I have.
Save your pennies though and when you've got enough spring for an oven. So much more control.
I'd be practically living in there if that were in my backyard.
 
leifjl said:
Nice little set up you've got there. I didn't notice an oven though. How are you planning on doing the H.T.?
About how much did it cost in materials to build your shop? I've been thinking of doing something similar so I don't have to travel back and forth to work so much.
I'd at least like to move my H.T. equipment into it.
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I believe portable buildings run anywhere from the $500-800 barebones to $5K+ insulated, depending on the footprint and features. The nice thing is that they don't impact your taxes since they are considered impermanent. I would get the biggest I can afford without windows, insulation, or that silly front porch, then modify as I need down the road.
 
Schleifstein said:
I believe portable buildings run anywhere from the $500-800 barebones to $5K+ insulated, depending on the footprint and features. The nice thing is that they don't impact your taxes since they are considered impermanent. I would get the biggest I can afford without windows, insulation, or that silly front porch, then modify as I need down the road.
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I wish it was only $800. It was $1800 for the bare shed delivered. I checked Menards and one about the same size was over $2000 for a kit you had to build. My shed is 8'X14'.
 
Only thing I can see before HT if you're planning on doing it "as is" is get those scratches out of the blade. Take it up to 400 grit, and make sure the scratches from 400 are the ONLY ones on there. You'll save yourself a ton of time, sandpaper, and headaches chasing scratches after the HT Otherwise I like the shop only thing is make sure you get some good ventilation in there I dunno if the exahust fan is going to cut it. Between grinding, sanding, and handle shaping there is a lot of dust that get generated.
 
Fletch Helical said:
Only thing I can see before HT if you're planning on doing it "as is" is get those scratches out of the blade. Take it up to 400 grit, and make sure the scratches from 400 are the ONLY ones on there. You'll save yourself a ton of time, sandpaper, and headaches chasing scratches after the HT Otherwise I like the shop only thing is make sure you get some good ventilation in there I dunno if the exahust fan is going to cut it. Between grinding, sanding, and handle shaping there is a lot of dust that get generated.
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The scratches are as bad as they look. I ordered some belts but got impatient and shaped and ground the knife with the one 100 grit belt that came with the grinder.
 
Wow! Awesome belt sander :). I think I need to turn my bench grinder, which is running out of those expensive grinding wheels, into something like yours. Very useful and sandpaper belts are cheaper. Your shop and other power tools inside it are very interesting too.
 
looks great man and I see you have the p100 filters on your mask. as far as your first knife goes my 5th Im working on now looks kinda the same lol.
 
shaynster said:
I wish it was only $800. It was $1800 for the bare shed delivered. I checked Menards and one about the same size was over $2000 for a kit you had to build. My shed is 8'X14'.
Click to expand...

I guess things are cheaper around here, though I probably wouldn't want to work in the shed that $800 buys. Who knows, it might be cheaper to scratch up your own frame and clad it in tin.

Let's do some sloppy math:

An 8' x 14' (let's assume 8' high to the truss) shop would require around 30-40 2x4x8 boards for studs 16" O.C. and openings plus another 24 for the top and bottom sills if you lap the boards for the 14' walls. Then you need around 16 for the roof. Then you need 1/2" sheathing - around 12 sheets for the sides and 4-6 sheets for the roof. Then you need about 14 corrugated tin roof panels plus ridge cap. Add on 12 sheets of 4x9 ft hardie panel for siding. Lets throw in a standard 3-0 steel door.

Here's a cool roof rafter calculator: http://www.pole-barn.info/roof-rafter-calculations.html

I'm quoting local prices from home depot's website:

(82) 2x4x8 pressure treated pine: @ $3.97 per board = $325.54
(18) 4x8 1/2" 3 ply sheathing: @ $20.62 per board= $371.16
(14) 25x96 in corrugated tin panel:@ $12.39 per sheet = $173.46
(4) 4ft suntuf ridge cap: @ $15.98 per piece = $63.92
(12) 4x9 ft hardie panel siding: @ $23.88 per sheet = $286.56
(1) 36x80 in steel entry door: @ $100.30 per door = $100.30
That all comes to $1320.94 without fasteners, hinges, windows, storm clips, interior sheathing, insulation, wiring and fixtures, slab floor, waterproof membrane, hinges, liquid nails, trim or cauking. That also doesn't include cinder blocks or other foundation.

I would also note that an 8'x16' shop would get you the most bang for your materials because most sheets come in 4'x8' pieces, so that's 2 extra feet you're paying for anyway.

That also doesn't include the cost and hassle of getting all this to your front door. Boy, that $2000 kit is starting to look appealing! I kid; there's so many variables. I can totally understand someone wanting to get to work in there shop when they pay for it, rather than waiting until it's gathered and built.
 
+1 on the fire extinguiser!

It's the kind of thing you hope to never need but are so glad to have when you need it!

I realy like your shop, I can imagin you feel well there.
I'd paint the walls white before I'd go further. It is easier on the eyes and reflects a lot of light.
 
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