Above 1200 Sq/FT Engineer's Multi-Purpose Shop

[Culture]

Yep... last one was a few weeks ago. I usually start by picking out anything that is expensive or items I know for sure I'll use again. Then when I get bored about halfway through, I don't feel so bad about dumping the rest into the trash.

Somehow I accumulate about 3-5 pounds of misc. washers, screws, bolts, nails, nuts, snap rings, springs, etc about every 6 months. I sort out what I want, file it into the proper container, and throw the rest into the welding practice scrap bucket.

In the back of my head I have this idea that I am going to use the scrap metal pieces to build an awesome metal sculpture at some point. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of artistic talent.

 

[lis2323]

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In the back of my head I have this idea that I am going to use the scrap metal pieces to build an awesome metal sculpture at some point. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of artistic talent.

That would be me[emoji23]. I know what I like when I see it, I just never seem to get to that point trying to create it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[bdbecker]

Culture - Haven't seen you around lately - hope all is well.

 

[Growlertdi]

I like where this is going. nice place.

 

[Culture]

I like where this is going. nice place.

Thanks. Like almost everyone here, it is a work in progress.

 

[Culture]

Culture - Haven't seen you around lately - hope all is well.

Thanks for reminding me I have not updated in a while, and caring enough to ask! I have been busy with year end stuff. However, I have also been busy in the shop. I built a rack on the storage level to store long materials. I found that 4" S&D pipe is great for organizing those things that do not fit anywhere else. I designed and built the floor for 90 psf (16" I-Joist at 16" oc) so hopefully it will not collapse .

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[Culture]

I also built a cart for my chop saw. It is getting a little to heavy to pull off the shelf and lug to the workbench. I plan to build folding wings at some point, probably as soon as I try to cut something more than 2-3' long.

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[Culture]

I build everything out of wood because I can source the materials easier, fab it faster, and paint it easier. Given my homeowner level of usage, I have not doubt it will outlast me.

 

[sponaugle]

Fantastic build! You did some fantastic work in both design and execution. I really like how that office space turned out. That grill area you build was also really cool.

I'm just starting a new build, so it is great to read these threads and learn.

Thanks. I am constantly amazed by the percentage of Engineers who don't know which end of the hammer hits the nail, or how to change the oil in their car.

It is surprising to me, as when I was in school it seemed like most of the other EEs were equally interested in actually making stuff. I'm always surprised to meet an engineer who doesn't seem to enjoy engineering stuff.

Jeff

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My new shop build:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7597738#post7597738

 

[bdbecker]

...I'm always surprised to meet an engineer who doesn't seem to enjoy engineering stuff.

Always baffles me as well. In college, I lived with two other guys who were also engineering students. There was a constant stream of projects in the works between the three of us. One of the best was the RC snow plow that had 24oz beer can snow blade. It actually worked as long as the snow wasn't too wet.

 

[Culture]

I have not updated in a long time (3 years!) and have expanded my shop significantly. I purchased a Precision Mathews 10x49 Mill. I always had two concerns with a vertical mill; 1) the table on any home ship sized mill is way too low for my 6'8" height, and 2) how would I move the thing around the shop? I solved both problems in one go by building a cradle that allowed me to move the mill with my pallet jack. The cradle is built from laminated pecan and raised the mill about 7". I can still reach the drawbar flat footed (no one shorted than me could). Why not a steel cradle? Because I have a **** load of clear pecan lumber and it looks was better than steel. The cradle was carefully designed (i.e. I calculated stresses and deflections) and has more than adequate strength and rigidity.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice mill. You will be pleased with the quality of the Precision Mathews machine.

 

[Culture]

How did I get the mill on the cradle? This was a great excuse to purchase a gantry crane. I found one clearanced at Zoro, used a 20% off coupon, and got free delivery. There is no way they made money on this sale. It is a 3 ton crane, 10 foot span and 14 foot adjustable beam height. I have found many, many uses for it. I am fabricating a trailer right now and there have been no out-of-position welds. I just flip the trailer frame around as needed, and presto, all horizontal welds. Sound advise: if you get a gantry crane get a gear driven trolley. It makes positioning thing much easier.

 

[Culture]

I did not fasten the cradle to the floor slab. I decided the cradle widened the stance enough that this was not necessary. I have not had any vibration problems so far, and doubt I ever will. I leveled the cradle using stacked 4x4 squares of EDPM roofing membrane. This has made a great vibration damper and the mill table is dead on level.

 

[Culture]

Nice mill. You will be pleased with the quality of the Precision Mathews machine.

So far so good. My only complaint is that the maximum spindle speed is to slow to take advantage of smaller carbide end mills (<1/2" or so) in mild steel but I knew that going in, and this is true for all Bridgeport type mills (as far as I know).

 

[Culture]

Recently added a central air supply to the shop using a free "dead" air compressor from my son's place of work. The repair consisted of replacing the pressure control switch. I also upgraded by adding a quarter turn valve at the bottom for the water drain. I find I drain the water a lot more frequently know.

 

[Culture]

I installed at least two supply port in every room, plus hose reels in the two primary work locations. All copper lines with drop leg water traps and bleed valves at multiple locations. I did the soldering with a acetylene torch, which worked very well. I did not end up with a single bad joint, which surprised me given my lack of significant experience.

 

[Culture]

I completed one fun project recently, a drift trike. This simulates the excitement of driving on ice. Lots of fun driving around the oval track that comprises my small neighborhood's only road. Just like Tokyo Drift but for reals. MIG welded out of 16 ga 1-1/4" square HSS. I can't say I am proud of the welds but none have broken yet.

 

[Culture]

I constructed a metal storage rack to store materials up to 12' long. The rack is constructed of 1.25 x 1.25 x 3/16 angle. The rack has worked out very well as it has allowed me to purchase and organize a stockpile of common materials (bar, angles and HSS). Much less running to Steel Supply these days.

I installed shelves at the bottom three fork levels to store cutoffs.

 

[LXCam]

Been a long time C. The place turned out great and congrats on the new mill.

 

[Culture]

Been a long time C. The place turned out great and congrats on the new mill.

Thanks. After a NINE MONTH wait (thanks to COVID), I have a PM1440GT lathe on the truck headed here. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I will build a base to raise it up about 6-9 inches to operate it and make it easier to move around with a pallet jack. My wife got a new house; I got a shop, mill and lathe.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I missed this thread back in 2018 and just read it from front to back.

You did an amazing job on the garage, the indoor structure and all of the custom contents. Keep us updated as you progress!

Cheers

Jim

 

[Culture]

I missed this thread back in 2018 and just read it from front to back.

You did an amazing job on the garage, the indoor structure and all of the custom contents. Keep us updated as you progress!

Cheers

Jim

Thanks. I has been a long journey and a lot of fun.

 

[Culture]

My latest project is a 1959 Caterpillar D8 tractor. It has not run in seven years, but was allegedly 100% functional when parked. It is definitely is in well used and rough shape. 15L diesel starts with a 2cyl gasoline pony engine. It came with a Deer camp we just purchased. Going this weekend with a diesel mechanic friend to triage the machine and figure out what we need to do to get it running, or if is even worth fixing. I hate to scrap it, as I would like to build a pond with it then likely sell it as it is WAY more machine that I really need. Unfortunately, at 60,000 pounds it is much to big to bring back to my home shop.

 

[Culture]

Big tools storage can present problems. I decided to have a little fun with my 60" pipe wrench and use some space that was otherwise wasted. I do not use it too often so it is not a problem to store it up high.

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[kap384]

Big tools storage can present problems. I decided to have a little fun with my 60" pipe wrench and use some space that was otherwise wasted. I do not use it too often so it is not a problem to store it up high.

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Awesome!