[TheForge] Small shop questions

[Ralph Sproul]

Steve's got a very good point on shop layout here.  Going with an isle down
the middle is really handy and about the best use of open floor/wall space
you can get in a small rectangular shop.

Floor pockets have already been mentioned, but I'd opt for those in your
concrete as well.  I use mine all the time.  I'd put one on all four walls
for a vice, jig, or bender to mount to for small parts, then a couple in the
middle of the floor when you want to pull those tools out for longer
lengths.  Making things plug in that are stored on walls and easily set up
and removed makes your life easier.

I'd also lay two 4" channels in the crete, with the legs down so you have a
set of runners 4 feet apart ( to center of the channels) going down the
middle of the floor.  This allows:
1) a ground clamp to be attached to them near the wall for less tripping
2) a plate to be welded for assembling a sculpture
3) your layout table to be tacked to so it doesn't move and is grounded
4) a lifting pipe to hang parts for a sculpture or weather vane, etc.
5) braces or legs to hold something in the air while you work on it at a
comfortable height and can get all around it.

Running an extra  4" conduit into the building for utilities coming into the
building in the future is handy and cheap before a pour.

I'd also opt for a verticle steel rack to take up a section of one of your
walls.  Using an entire wall for 20-24 foot stock is a waste in my opinion.
Most items you forge are under 5-6 feet long, then fastened
together........so storing stock in 10 foot lengths makes sense.  This is
another good reason to put your wall/upper plate height at 10-12 foot to
accomadate steel storage, as well as the heat getting away from you that
folks have already mentioned.

Good luck, it's always nice to have a well set up space to work in.......it
is worth the investment.

Ralph

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Smith" <sos at alum.mit.edu>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 7:46 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Small shop questions


> Bettina, I moved from about 1200 square feet of shop to 300 this past
> year. I was worried about it, but it was all we could put in given a
> bunch of constraints.
>
> I'm surprised at how well it is working out. The space is 10'x30', and
> has in it a vertical mill, a 12x40" lathe, a 300A mig welder, a 20"
> drill press, a 30"x60" welding table, a treadle hammer, a hydraulic
> forging press, an air hammer (assuming I manage to finish it some day),
> a flypress, a gas forge under a hood and a reasonable amount of room to
> work around the anvil. The equipment lines both long sides, with an
> asile down the middle.
>
> I'm clearly not doing gates in this size shop. Working on smaller stuff,
> it works fine. I usually have to clean up/clear an area when I'm working
> on something larger, like the firewood rack I just made for the front
> room. I don't have enough flat surfaces, but I'm working on that.
>
> Steve Smith
>
>
> > From: "Kirk & Bettina Wehner" <kbwehner at msn.com>
> > To: "Forge List" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 8:52 AM
> > Subject: [TheForge] Small shop questions
> >
> >
> > 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?
> >
> > (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.
> >
> > As always, your thoughts would be appreciated.......
> > Bettina
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>