[TheForge] Small shop questions

[Phil Rosche]

Bettina:

My responses are preceeded by "PR":
--- Kirk & Bettina Wehner <kbwehner at msn.com> wrote:

> A few months ago members of The Forge kindly gave me
> advice on setting up a basic shop.  It's taken a
> while, but we are now at the point of actually
> building the shop.  Although I had hoped for
> more....I'm ending up with a 15' x 20' shop with
> some additional outside space that will be under
> cover.  Before we move forward, I was hoping for
> some more advice.
> 
> (1)  The shop is will have a concrete floor (I know
> that's a debatable issue, but I like concrete) and
> will be stick built.  It has 8' walls and will have
> some windows & a cupola for venting.  I was also
> able to position it to get a good breeze from
> prevailing winds.  I primarily use a gas forge (very
> similar to the one Gabe showed that he's
> building....in fact mine was from David Lisch).  I
> also have plans to eventually add a side draft coal
> forge or a bigger gas forge for larger pieces.  So,
> the question is, should I have any concerns about
> using a fairly small stick built structure for the
> shop?

PR - You might consider using fire retardant sheet
rock on the walls.
  
> 
> (2)  Given the small space, I don't plan to divide
> it up to separate the "cleaner" area from the forge.
>  Does anyone have tips on maximizing the space
> utilization?  At the ABANA conference someone
> suggested making workstations are movable as
> possible by putting everything on wheels. 

PR - The less permanent tools are (i.e., not bolted
down) the better.  Putting things on wheels works to a
certain extent, but big things like floor drill
presses, don't lend themselves to being put on wheels.
 One suggestion would be to make a grid with a ratio
of 1" equals 1', and cut out the shapes of the tools
proportionally, and lay them out on the grid.

PR - And something you can never have too many of, is
outlets. 



		
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