Thoughts on building the best shop ever?

mattd

mattd

Joined
Oct 6, 2003
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252
OK, I'm back. My move is over, got the computer up and running, and I've recieved approval to build a "storage shed (wink wink)" up to 200 sq ft. I've started brain storming on how to mount my grinders and vises right to the concrete floor and how to vintilate properly but that doesn't make it the best shop possible. I have never seen another knife maker's shop except for the shop tours posted here, and would really like suggestions on anything anyone can think of. I also plan on building the whole thing myself so if anyone knows where to find building plans that would really help too.

Thank you, Matt d.
 
Matt
Over the years this subject has been done and redone many, many times. Don't want to be a wet blanket but there are some awesome threads done on this subject.
SEARCH
First Lighting
Second Ventilation
Third keep the bench area uncluttered of machinery as much as possible.
You will manage to clutter it up with projects:D
 
Awesome news, Matt - congrats!

Dang...wish I was in yours shoes. :thumbup:


Actually, I'm building a "mobile shop" here pretty soon. Just need to talk the neighbor out of his old metal trailer...


Anyway....probably the best idea you can plan for is to just have a whole bunch of benchtop space with a ton of outlets, both 110v and 220v.

As you acquire different tools, you will want to "rearrange"...so flexibility is a good way to go.

"Ventilation"...as in "dust collection" or "cooling"? Either way, you'll want a fan or two in your shop. Clip-on fans do wonders.

If I was more "established" with my tools (and didn't plan on getting too much more) I'd be more rigid in my recommendation. But I feel lucky to have "planned for flexibility" upfront...which has allow me to expand.

Last few thoughts:
- think about the order in which you work. Try to plan the tools in a linear way.
- don't forget Ray's shop fire! Account for the hot stuff - someplace safe/open/etc.
- something I did not anticipate in my shop = material storage. Figure on dedicating an easy-access cabinet just for that.

I went through a similar exercise when I first laid out my workspace. Took a few iterations, but finally got it semi-right. There are still a few things that need changing. But who's got the time? :rolleyes:
 
First off, you might want to reconsider mounting the machines directly to the concrete. It's kind of hard on the elbows having to lay down to grind. Mounting pedestals to the concrete and then the machines to the pedestals seems a better idea to me:)

Having a 200 sq/ft shop of my own, I can say that things can get cramped pretty quickly, but it can be made to be workable. What machines are involved? If all you're talking about is a couple grinders and a drill press, you've got all the room in the world. If you're nuts like me and have to have one of each (like a Bridgeport mill, a lathe, a bandsaw, etc) then you're in for cramped quarters. IMHO, if you're going to have precision machinery like a mill in your shop, you need to find a way to isolate hte abrasive grindy crap from teh precision stuff. For me, the solution was a bunch of welding curtain material curtains to section off the grinding area. If you have less machinery than I, you might be able to split it into two actual rooms, a grinding room, and a clean area.

Just a few ideas.
 
If I was building a new shop I would have a seperate room or "booth" for the grinder/dust maker. And would keep it close to my finnish bench for easy use.

Just my two cents.
Mace
 
Mace said:
If I was building a new shop I would have a seperate room or "booth" for the grinder/dust maker. And would keep it close to my finnish bench for easy use.

Just my two cents.
Mace
Click to expand...

I hear you, Mace. This is something I have been meaning to build at home. I hate grinding dust. Keeping it in a seperate area would be sweet.
 
There was an article in Blade Herndon maybe? On the SUper Shop.

He had all his grinders set up ina curtained alcove with a 24-36" fan behind them sucking out all the dust. Good article,

The most important thing about a shop is to set it up the way you make knives.

The old edge of the anvil book. Had some good tips on setting up a shop.
Watch your footprints. If you find yourself walking across the shop, twenty times a day for one operation , move the machine.

"The Workshop Book" is a pretty good reference. Its set up for wood workers, but the tips and tricks are really a great read..,
 
I don't have time to get any pics. Would like to do that sometime and post them. Here's a quick overhead drawing of my shop set up. I haven't measured it but I'd guess its 8ftX14ft at the most. It fits in a 2 car garage good enough that we can still park an expedition in there while I'm working:)


attachment.php


The main workbench is right against the wall of the shop. From left to right on it I have:
First, a coote 2"X10"X72" grinder with a 1.5HP dayton motor. The motor is mounted directly to the rear of the grinder inline with it. Takes up very little space, and was easy to put together that way.

Next is a 12" delta drill press. General bits I use all the time are stored in a box on the base of it.

Next is a Delta 8" bandsaw. This little unit is far from the best tool in the world but it will cut out scale material quite well and doesn't take up much space (and its cheap :D )

Next is a Delta 4X36" beltsander with a 6" disc on the side. This can be slid back against the wall to give me about 3 sqaure feet of bench space right next to the 6" bench vice which is mounted right on the corner of the workbench.

This workbench is actually a giant old dresser or something. Its all drawers and cabinets underneath. Gives me a place to store belts, wood, files, and all that kind of stuff. Right at hand, you don't have to walk anywhere.

The second bench/table on the end is my welding table. I slapped this together with some angle iron. The top is inlaid with soft fire bricks, and has fixtures on the 2 corners for my bench grinders.
One of the bench grinders runs at 3450 rpm with 36 and 60 grit wheels and is used for rough work, profiling, cleaning scale off etc. The other grinder on the back corner (farther to the right in the picture) runs at 1725 rpm with 60 and 120 grit wheels. I use it to sharpen drill bits and other tools.
Underneath the welding table is a shelf. It has a 4 drawer tool chest on it that I keep small hardware, handtools, files,patterns etc. in. Also keep tongs and hammers in the top tray of it. Beside the toolbox, I have my quenching oil, containers, some scrap steel and all other miscelaneous stuff.

Out in the middle area I have my forge and anvil.

This is a little bit more cramped than I would like, but it is kind of nice in the end. I'm never more than a step or two from anything I might want.

I should add that the welding table is on casters so I can roll it out into the middle of the garage if I want to do larger welding projects or anything away from the knifemaking tools.
And I have another table and small tool box in the basement of the house where I do final fit up and glue work. I could easily do without this table, but its nice to have.

Things you should really think about in your shop are cabinets/drawers for storage, and lighting. If you have an easy way of putting stuff away you won't clutter the benchtop up leaving things out. And good lighting is a must.

Hope that helps :D
 

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WOW!
you guys are great!

Dan, I told my mom I was going to build a shop over the winter and she emediatly brought over two fire extinguishers. I laughed because of the way my mother thinks and how well she knows me. I told her about Ray's fire.
John, thank you for the response, I would put my grinders on stands but I'm only 2'4". I made a shoulder sling for my bowie so it doesn't drag on the ground. Just kidding... The separation idea is not something I had thought of. Its a great idea and I will plan on having atleast 2 areas, probably 3. I think one could be used for sheath making, gun cleaning, and fly tying.

Thank you Mace and sweany for your comments.

Matt, I never thought to have a toilet in my shop. Should I bolt in to the floor or mount it on wheels so I don't have to stop working.:) I really appreciate the picture and all the info.
 
mattd said:
Matt, I never thought to have a toilet in my shop. Should I bolt in to the floor or mount it on wheels so I don't have to stop working.:) I really appreciate the picture and all the info.
Click to expand...

:D Yep its a pretty horrible drawing. Maybe I should put some fire in it? Anyhow you did just remind me that I should have said that the forge is on wheels also. Has a handle on the back of the shell so you can tip it and roll it around like a furniture dolly. The tank sits inside the frame underneath the forge itself. The forge itself isn't very nice, but the set up is great for saving space.
 
Matt,

You may find Grizzly's Shop Planner helpful. I'm in the early stages of planning a small shop and it's helpful to see how the different tools fit. You may have to find some substitutions as they don't offer any anvil or forge drawings though. :)

Have fun!

- Mike
 
just came here to post the Grizzly link too....

It is indeed quite fun. Make sure you have the latest Flash player downloaded.
 
thank you guys for that link.

I've made a couple of shop plans but I keep seeing tools that I "need" so I keep making my shop bigger.

What I think I'm going to do is build a 200 square foot house and use the house I have now as my shop.:rolleyes:

I can't wait to get back to making knives!
 
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