[TheForge] Foundations and shop design

[Peter Hirst]

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ekaterina Harrison" <ekaterina at wildblue.net>
To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 12:15 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Foundations and shop design


> Hi All,
>
> We are just getting ready to a pour a cement floor in the new shop, we 
> are building. I have the opportunity here to address and improve my  work 
> environment. I am very excited about this. One of the things we  are doing 
> is running steel under the cement across the whole length of  the shop to 
> to provide more grounding points around the shop and  running pipe for 
> airline hook ups and some conduit for stringing some  wiring to the other 
> side of the shop.
>
>  One of the issues that I have been trying to figure out is the best  way 
> to mount a power hammer and treadle hammer. My current power  hammer is 
> bolted to the floor with a 1" rubber mat between it and the  floor. As you 
> might guess in the area around the hammer the floor has  sustained some 
> damage and I, also, have had a hell of a time with my  tools jumping of 
> benches when I work the hammer. So, it seems quite  clear that in the new 
> shop the hammer should have its own independent  foundation. We have been 
> considering several options:
>
> We are planning to leave a graveled area just big enough for the 
> hammer( surrounded by the cement floor) or possibly cut out the  section 
> of floor after we have figured out the best location for the  hammer. And 
> then :
>
> 1- independant cement foundation 1' thick
> 2- block up hammer on timbers
>
> OR -  I have, also,  seen some blacksmiths simply leave a whole  section 
> of dirt floor for their various power hammer stuff. I have  been 
> considering this as well. The draw back to this that I see is  simply 
> difficulty in clean up. The plus is it seems to leave more  versatility 
> for adjustment of tool placing, replacing and upgrading.
>
> Issues I have been wondering about:
> If hammer is set on timbers is there a balance issue to consider - as  in 
> keeping it from tilting and moving?
> I know that the treadle hammer ,I made, I never did mount it to the 
> floor, figuring that it was heavy enough it should stay put. I was 
> surprised just how much it did move across the floor.
>
> Any suggestions, pro and cons, experiences of mounting hammers and 
> general shop layout would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Ekaterina
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