The New Shop... finally up and running again!

Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
3,621
Hello all,
I want to apologize for my recent delay in responses to e-mail and phone calls. As many of you know I have been working to build a new shop for about the past 7 months. Well, it’s finally done and tomorrow I will fire up the forges and start the grinders, once I finish up my e-mail replies tonight and tomorrow morning. ; )

This is a big change from the old bank barn and milk house with the office up at the house. I put up a 30’ x 40’ metal pole barn and added spray foam insulation and gypsum board for the walls and I have a double foil ceiling that will last me at least a few years or so before I fork out for a metal one. My original shop was set up as a “hobby” shop, this one is set up like a pro.

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Here is the outside where I set up my old antique sharpening/wheel (no, I’m not using it) and my wife, Beckie, was nice enough to get me a nice park bench for coffee and phone call on nice mornings.

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Here is the view from the front door. Main work bench, drill presses, etc. on the right and I even have room to expand. I’m going to need a few more tools if I’m going to start doing some folder work after I take Joe’s class.

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View from the back corner opposite the front door.... I love my new fans, the upright and exhaust... both 30” and powerful!

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Here is the forge and heat treat area. Looks pretty now... just give me a couple weeks. ; )

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I lifted the press up about 8” so I won’t have to bend so much.... getting old is a pain. LOL

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Here is my oven, Kydex and chemical bench. This will be where I do my acid and antiquing work, heat molded sheaths, etc.

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Here’s my grinder area. I’ve got my 3 2” x 72” grinders (with room for another horizontal version in the future) and my disc and 1” x 42” on the next bench with my wood and metal band saws behind them. I also made a quick belt rack so I can move around the grinders more efficiently.

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Can't forget my rotary tool, mini-mill and my Chuck Ward knife makers vise, of course.

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Here is the office, in the back corner of the building and all sealed up to prevent as much shop dust from getting in.

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Here is the other side of the office where I have my photo set-up and all of my shipping and show supplies.

Over all, I have more room to work and have things arrange for efficiency as well as room to expand and way better lighting. Everyone said I was working in a cave before. Again, I apologize for the recent delays in my responses but, everything is going back to business as usual tomorrow and all of the orders coming up for completion will be on time ore as close as I can humanly make it so. Thank you again to everyone, your the ones that made this possible.
 
I was looking at the pictures and thinking, man, I wish I could get my setup that clean... and then I saw something that made me feel just a little bit better.
In picture number 2. The pile of nuts and bolts at the bottom right corner of the picture. No shop should be without one of those. :P
Nice work!
 
Ah, this is the cleanest it will ever be. My wife painted everything nice and white but, it'll be gray in a few months. LOL
 
Lovely new space


Some things I noticed that I'd want

I'd trade the pegboard for a big window in front of the main bench, but then my eyes are going bad and I hate pegboard.


Maybe some overhang or doghouse above the door, but I hate getting rained or dripped on.


Think about a way to positive pressurize the air flow in the office.
Put an intake fan running into the office area so that airflow and dust will migrate from office towards shop around the door cracks or when the door is open.


Where are you storing steel ?


If you plan to do folders, maybe make a clean millling machine / lathe room ?
 
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Thats a beauty J. Its so open. I like it.
 
One of the best features of that building is having a nice clean office space . Nice and low maintenance building and I seriously envy your power hammer and press set up .
 
Way to clean Sir! And where is the sign that says "don't wear flip flops when forging"

Ha Ha Fred
 
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