Update on my situation......

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
I've had jury duty for the last 3 weeks and now I've got 7 working days left of this service. Its something I've dodged for the better part of 30 years but since the shop was down and I had just applied for my building permit I figured I could go ahead and serve. Looking back I must have had a brain freeze when I said I'd do it for a month. Never again plus my building permit came back approved in 10 days like they said which was a huge surprize. Looks like I'll be able to serriously get going on the shop around the 10th of November. The only problem I see now is just the weather. It will be wet and cold for the most part but I've had 25 years working under those types of conditions.

Looks like the money that came from the auction and donations will be going towards the building kit that I'll go ahead and order when the time comes and that again is something I want to THANK all that had a part in it! As far as the insurance goes there taking there time as expected.

As far as the rebuild goes when its all done I'll have a nicer and safer structure than what I had except it will be about half the size but since I don't have the stuff I use to have things will work out just fine. I'll be building one main structure with two seperate sections under one roof. Each section will have 600 sq ft for floor space. One for hay and farm storage and the other my shop. There will be two solid walls with around a 9' breezeway inbetween the two sections. Hope that makes sense.

Again I want to Thank everyone! Work safe and try to be aware of whats going on around you even when you've got a bad case of tunnel vission going on.
 
Glad to hear its working out for you Ray!
Anything else we can do just let us know. I'd skip a couple days of school to come swing a hammer but gas is a little steep on that trip at 14 miles a gallon :eek: :D
 
Matt, Save you gas but thanks for the thought! I've gotten past the point where I need to have the shop right now. Once I get the slab poured and the steel gurts and trusses set I'll just nibble away at it. There's going to be little need for hammer's on this structure. Mostly screws and bolts and alot of ladder work. My friend and fellow maker Ray Coon's has offered the use of his shop when I feell the need. The days of my open smithy are numbered.
 
EXCELLENT!!!

Glad to hear things are starting to brighten up Ray! :D

A bladesmith has got to have a shop to pound on hot steel... that's just the way it's gott'a be! :cool:

Please post some pics once you get started.
 
Nick, I will for sure put pictures up as things progress with the shop. I just hope it don't turn into a swiming pool doing it this time of year.
 
Hi Raymond,

I am glad to see things are getting sorted out for you, I am really sorry to hear about the loss you had. Looking forward to see some pictures of your knives again, if i remember you correct you make some beautiful axes ?

Johan
 
Raymond, I would love to get in on the shop raising even though it's a bit of a drive from my place. I was a house builder for thirty years and loved it. Its great to get together with a group of guys and make a nice building appear. Besides, I retired my hammer last year and I am a full time metal pounder now.
Keep us posted with some photos if you have the time.
All the best to you, Fred
 
Inflatable anvil? Now thats an idea.

Johan, I've been forging a few hawk heads but it will be awhile till I get them finished. I've got a feeling once I get the shop built and the tools I need I'll be cranking stuff out at a pretty good clip.

Fred, I started out building houses but joined the union and became a form jockey. I enjoyed houses much more. After I did the addition to the shop last fall I thought that would be the end of the construction for me. Now here I am about ready to start from scratch. Once I get done with the jury duty I'm going to rent a small track hoe to do the fine grading and to dig for the thickend edge of the slab. Did I say I've never opperated heavy equipment before? I was told it should take me about an hour to figure out how to opperate the machine. Good thing I've got 5 acres to learn on. :D
 
Great news Ray. I wish you all the best and hope you're back pounding steel in your new shop soon.;)
Scott
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top