26'x28' Shop Build. FINALLY!

[HotWire]

Today I...

Installed the door sweep.


Cut up the remaining unistrut.


And mounted the unistrut to studs at the ceiling as evenly as I could all the way around the shop.



I also designed my system today and priced out all the parts. Water trap is already ordered. I have my vertical 3/4” black pipe in place with 1/2” drip leg.

I will tie into the black pipe with a 1/2” copper loop around the entire edge of ceiling with ball valves and unions centered on the E and W walls. There will be 3 threaded Tee’s on the N and S walls and 2 threaded Tee’s on the E and W walls totaling 10 potential drop locations.

I’ll initially plumb a hose reel roughly centered in the shop, the plasma cutter, and a blow off nozzle on a coil drop. I’ll plug the remaining Tee’s until needed.

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[amkluttz]

Do you have plans to regulate the air pressure? If so, do you place a regulator at each drop location (that you may need regulated pressure) or one at the tank? I can't imagine running full tank pressure would disturb the lines in any way. What do you do if you want regulated pressure at the hose reel?

Forgive the stupid questions. My garage isn't big enough to need air drops. I'm hoping one day it will be.

 

[HotWire]

Do you have plans to regulate the air pressure? If so, do you place a regulator at each drop.

Exactly.

If I want less than line pressure it will be at point of use. Hose reel specifically will mainly be used for inflation and impact wrench. I want those at full pressure.






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[HotWire]

Picked up my 1/2” copper tubing today. 110ft


Fittings


Had to cut and thread a piece to complete the 3/4” vertical feed.




I could not find 5/8” copper unistrut clamps locally, so I have ordered a bag.

Water trap should be here today.


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[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

Water trap showed up so now I can have a hose made up.





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[Classic Bronco Guy]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

Water trap showed up so now I can have a hose made up.





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What water trap did you decide to go with?


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[HotWire]

What water trap did you decide to go with?


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I grabbed the biggest cheapest 3/4” all-metal one on EBay. It’s listed simply as F7000. Seems to have replacement parts available. We’ll see. If it doesn’t hold up I’ll buy an SMC.




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[HotWire]

A few things happening in the Shop today. Door open and 55*F!

I ran to the Parker Store after dropping the kid off this morning to have a hose made.


Then I anchored the compressor using hockey pucks to decouple from the floor.


Then I ran to HD to pick up my online order of Masonite to top my router table. This reminded me to get out paint for the table itself.


Since I had the paint out, I made a shelf for the sub I picked up a week ago. I got it for $30 with a scratchy volume knob. $1.19 for a new pot and it’s good as new. It’s a JBL 250w 10”




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[wasfast]

Nice score on the Sub!

 

[HotWire]

Nice score on the Sub!

Thanks! I’m getting better at gambling with ‘repair deals’


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[HotWire]

It’s been riding season again these past few weeks. I had to wash the steed and tune it up tonight.

Had to keep half the lights off for a chill beer drinking vibe. Lol




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[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

Airline is going up!

It’s been a few years since I’ve sweated copper, but it’s going ok. Half the system is pressurized and holding now while I finish the second half.






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[Matias]

Shop is looking excellent! I like the comparaison photos you posted earlier, a lot has been done in between. I think that air installation will be used and appreciated a lot.

 

[HotWire]

Shop is looking excellent! I like the comparaison photos you posted earlier, a lot has been done in between. I think that air installation will be used and appreciated a lot.

Thank you! I’ve been spoiled by having house air at every previous job so I figured I might as well set it up now that I have my own space.


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[HotWire]

I was able to finish the main air loop yesterday morning! No audible leaks. I’ll check back in 24hrs, then soap up joints if necessary. It’s not perfect but I think it will work quite well.

It takes 6min20sec to fill entire system from empty with the single stage compressor. Not too shabby.

Branches out from vertical feed.




NW corner/N wall. 3taps. reel, coil drop, plasma.


N wall has 2 taps for future use. No pic

SW corner/S wall. 2 taps. Harbor Freight coil drop is garbage. I’ll be sourcing different ones.


SE corner/E wall. One tap to the right of the garage door.


Now it’s time to source a reel and a couple quality coil drops.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

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[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

I ran to Grainger this morning and picked up proper coil drops. Speedaire brand. Much better!





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[captain14]

The copper air lines look good. Definitely a shop you should be proud of as you grow your business.

Do you plan on leaving them under pressure if you are not going to be working out there for a couple of days? Pros/cons?

I know there are issues with moisture if you don’t drain the compressor on a regular basis.

 

[amkluttz]

Keep an eye on Craigslist and Marketplace if you use either of those for a Coxreel or a Reelcraft. I happened upon a Reelcraft reel without a hose capable of holding 70' of air hose for $50 on Craigslist. I checked to make sure it wound and clicked/stopped at intervals. Northern Tool usually runs a sale on the 50' Goodyear rubber hoses for $20 and I used one of their $5 off $15 coupons to get a decent deal on a hose. All-in with fittings I think I had $80-$90 in a good hose reel. I occasionally see them pop up on Marketplace for a steal.

 

[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

I ended up re-using my existing reel for now. It didn’t make sense to keep the little compressor hooked to it with the new system in place.



I whipped up a mounting plate and painted it before throwing up the pair of reels.




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[HotWire]

Making progress on my Router Table.
It’s not perfect but I should work just fine.




I have silver/gray laminate for the top.

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[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

Laminate on and trimmed. I just need to lower the miter rail a few thousandths then I can screw everything down.





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[HotWire]

Built a quick clamp shelf. I ripped a leftover 1x8, glued and nailed with a few angle brackets I had lying around. That $10 can of gray paint is still going strong!




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[HotWire]

After the router table project it was time to finally fix my brakes which have put my Safari out of commission for the Winter.

I had to buy a new jack as mine is not large enough. I had been borrowing one when I did the lifted suspension and steering. I grabbed the Pittsburg 2.5Ton AL Racing Jack from HF. I’ve been pleased with the 1.5Ton version for years.


The good news is that I got the old-line out without stripping any fittings.


But, the bad news is I found a rusted-through radiator support.


I also found a few rotted vacuum lines.

The plan is to fix the brakes with new lines and hoses, then finish my checklist of upgrades that had been planned before the move. Then.......I fix the rad support when I weld up bumpers.

This van will now be my billboard/work vehicle so I’ll finish it and make it look nice. More work than I was expecting but that’s what you get with vehicles from the Rust Belt.


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[HotWire]

I started my Spring job at the bike shop this week so I’ve had less time in the shop but I’m still making progress on the brake lines. Decided to replace the rear as well as it looked pretty bad. Good thing; as it crumbled when I pulled it.

Front crossover line is replaced. Now to make up the rear.

In other news I’m quoting a shop owner for large metal signage. I also decided to stop by a pawn shop on my way home today and found this Brown & Sharpe height gage for $20. I don’t have a Stone yet, but it’s on the list.




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[sporty_drew]

Just read the whole thread, your shop has come so far! Are you doing this fulltime? Love your attention to detail!

 

[HotWire]

Just read the whole thread, your shop has come so far! Are you doing this fulltime? Love your attention to detail!

Thank you! I am doing this mostly “full time” I have 2 kids and a wife with a demanding job so I work when I am able.


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[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

A doc in my town came up with this.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/us/coronavirus-3d-printed-medical-supplies-trnd/index.html

Now I’m shopping for a 3D printer.

Budget is $1500
Must print a variety of materials, have enclosure for less than clean environment, produce smooth surface finish, not break down after every print, user serviceable, have available replacement parts.

Any recommendations?
Thanks!


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[HotWire]

Decided on this one. It’s smaller than I had hoped for but the price jumps substantially with build size.

Lulzbot Mini 2



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[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

I need to freshen up on 3D modeling. Downloaded the free version of Fusion360.




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[HotWire]

Well, I got my Machine 2 days ago. I have been playing around with little things and now it’s time to get some work done.

First order of business is pumping out some masks for my Wife, her coworkers and our friends in the medical community.

First one!



Test fitting the filter holder




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[Balor]

I like it HotWire.

 

[HotWire]

I like it HotWire.

Thanks!



I've been busy with the 3D Printer for a few days now printing masks while freshening up on my 3D Modeling skills by trying to make practical items.



First up is new knobs for my propane grill.

 

[HotWire]

I took sone time to draw up a mock suppressor/flashhider for my AEG. Im surprised that the printed threads worked first try.





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[HotWire]

We sent the first batch of masks out to hospital workers in NYC today.






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[HotWire]

I was able to break from making masks to do a quick bracket for a friend’s
Motorcycle. This will mount his aux lights. He is having it powder-coated black.



Additionally, now that my air system is done; does anyone have recommendations on a good value powder-coating system?

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[Bigblockyeti]

Well, I got my Machine 2 days ago. I have been playing around with little things and now it’s time to get some work done.

First order of business is pumping out some masks for my Wife, her coworkers and our friends in the medical community.

First one!



Test fitting the filter holder


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I think it's awesome you can set that up in the kitchen. You must not be married.

 

[kruizer66]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

Really like your shop build out that’s going on. Also pre-planning my air system in my garage. Like what you did there. Does your wife have another spot to park inside since it appears your garage is all taken up? How is business for Creative Mechanical Solutions going? Any difficulties are certainly not from lack of talent. Thanks for posting it all

 

[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

Really like your shop build out that’s going on. Also pre-planning my air system in my garage. Like what you did there. Does your wife have another spot to park inside since it appears your garage is all taken up? How is business for Creative Mechanical Solutions going? Any difficulties are certainly not from lack of talent. Thanks for posting it all

My Wife parks in our 3-car attached garage. The Shop is built in a 28x26 detached.

Business is picking up now that Covid is calming down here in Montana. I’ll be dumping some photos soon.


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[HotWire]

I guess it’s been a while since I’ve posted. A lot has happened so I’ll try to bring this thread up to speed.

Covid closed our schools here so the boys and I have been hanging out full time which has been taxing. My 4yo can be very demanding and the 15yo has attitude to spare.

Anyway, we did get out for a quick overnight back packing trip.



With less work due to Covid, I’ve been playing around with the 3D printer and building up a high power Airsoft rifle.



We are also enlarging our firepit area. It was just pea gravel with a round post border. Now it will be larger, cut back into the hill with bench-height retaining wall/seating and flagstone.



Then 3wks ago I screwed up on a 6ft drop on my mountain bike and separated my left shoulder which slowed down our landscaping project.



But It could’ve been worse. I’m halfway through the 6wk recovery and has been feeling good enough to do some work again.

I’ve had a few customer jobs this week.


Also left the house to hit up the pawn shops for the first time in 3months. Snatched a second Delta sander in almost new condition and a air powered 20ton jack for $35 each. I’ll use the jack to upgrade my shop press.



And finally, I had some time today to continue work on my railroad anvil.



Phew! Sorry for the long post.


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[HotWire]

Re: 26'x28' Detached Shop Buildout. FINALLY!

Life has been pretty full lately. Lots of projects, jobs, and trips. The business is starting to pick up as well as define itself a bit. I’ve been making accessories for ‘overland’ trucks and vans along with the usual stuff like railings and security doors/gates.

On the home front we bought a 2020 MB Sprinter Van to convert into a family camper. It’s the long 170” wheel base with 4x4 and a factory 4” lift.



Each week between family outings I try to get at least one upgrade done to the van. So far I have installed a hitch.


Then a few tape-on plastic accessories including fender flairs, hood protector and, vent-shades.

To be continued.....




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