[TheForge] Foundations and shop design

[Andrew Vida]

paul wrote:

> 4. Why do blacksmiths fear measuring and threading steel pipe? A small 
> shop would probably be just fine with 3/4" iron pipe mains, and the 
> mechanical strength of iron pipe is more than sufficient for any shop 
> environment. Hand threading 3/4" iron pipe is good exersize. Larger 
> sizes would be better, more storage volume in the main piping... you can 
> rent a pipe machine for the larger sizes if you have large shop. You can 
> also use the leftover pieces... they are iron after all.

	I don't think it is fear, it is... erm... *frugality*.

	You know how the Jews have the rap in some peoples' minds as being 
horrid little misers?  I don't think anyone can hold a candle to some 
smiths.  Instead of "jewing" someone down during negotiations, I think 
we should call it "smithing" them down.  Seriously, for such a great 
bunch of folks as smiths, I've seen few other groups of people who are 
as penny-wise and pound-foolish.  Getting all cheap about things like 
this makes no sense.  There are proper ways of plumbing for pressurized 
air, and there are all the other ways.

	If you are in the business, you acquire the tools you need to operate. 
  This is not an exercise in hand-wringing, but a business decision.  If 
you do not have the cash, you finance.  If you cannot justify the 
finance cost, then you don't really need it and you find a subcontractor 
who can do the job.  It is as simple as that.

	If you are a hobbyist, there is still the safety angle.  Shit always 
seems to happen to the other guy... until you are him.  Is, say, losing 
an eye worth the few hundreds of dollars saved by shit-rigging PVC 
instead of installing proper air lines?  And if the line fails and your 
compressor burns up, you've probably put yourself in the hole.

	It seems to me that in decisions such as these, many people fail to 
think things out clearly.  I am somewhat inflexibly firm in my belief 
that things such as this should be carefully and circumspectly 
considered and then done right.  Call me crazy.


	-Andy V.

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