My best and last shop

[Prototype Dept.]

For over 20 years I have run my prototyping business as a small, usually one man, shop. The first 2 years were in a two-car attached garage, then 7 years renting a 1200sqft industrial space, then 4 years sharing a 2500sqft space. After searching off and on for a house & shop combo, I finally found this two-story 1800sqft carriage house with a double wide mobile home on 5 acres.
View media item 28338View media item 28339View media item 28345View media item 28346View media item 28349View media item 28348View media item 28347View media item 28350After I submit this post and see that all the pics come out okay, I'll get to work on loading more photos of my unusual storage solutions.

 

[JC23]

Lookin forward to it!

 

[kyle@hcb]

In for pics!

 

[ConCretin]

At the risk of sounding dumb, I'm not sure I know what a 'prototyping' business does but if you've been in business for 13 years you must be doing it right. Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[marty_p]

Welcome to TGJ, and do keep us posted!

 

[Prototype Dept.]

When I say I've got a 'prototyping business' it means I have a 'model shop', and that means I'll fabricate anything for a buck. I started out in Industrial Design building prototypes of new products and medical devices. After moving out of the big city my business turned more to small time inventors and some architectural models. Eventually I got a job building wind tunnel models for a major defense contractor, and my shop became a side business for me.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Oh, I'll be waiting for pics also! Your line of work (if I understand it correctly), is fascinating to me. Your the pro who gets someone's 'vision' of a widget, and designs a prototype which can be manufactured on a large scale; yes? Your new shop will be fun to see as I'm sure you own some neat toys/tools to make your creations.

 

[Dr Dave]

Bring on the pic's, It sounds like an interesting profession, I can't wait to see your equiptment.

Dave

 

[ConCretin]

I can't wait to see your equipment.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[Prototype Dept.]

I hate to disappoint you guys, but I've already shown you my big machines above. Lathe, mill, table saw, and a 2x4' CNC router. Nothing magical. I decided years ago not to invest in any computer-run rapid prototyping machines or 3D printing. It's definitely the modern (and economical) way of building models but I'm a shop guy, not a keyboard jockey.
I make better money working outside my shop in this economy, so now my projects tend to be more about the enjoyment I get in working on them using the basic tools and techniques. Here's a few of the wacky things I made recently, just to figure out how.
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[Vernmotor]

No pictures ??

 

[Prototype Dept.]

Aren't the pictures showing up? They're on my screen.

Bruce

 

[Toolfool]

No pics.

 

[Prototype Dept.]

Sorry about that. I'll try something else now.

Did the photos show up this time? I hate computers.

 

[Steevo]

If your pictures are hosted on a web server somewhere, you are almost there.
Use the format you used above, with the

If the pictures are located on your computer, this method doesn't work.

 

[Prototype Dept.]

I'm pasting the URL directly from my GJ album. Isn't that correct?

 

[ConCretin]

I'm seeing pictures now. Very cool

 

[Prototype Dept.]

Finally! Thanks for the response. Now let's try those project pics....

I hope that worked.

Bruce

 

[Vernmotor]

Yep we got pics now !! cool backpack !! lol

 

[STANIMAL]

How many pounds of thrust does that backpack make ?

 

[flippin]

Great shop, and the rocket pack is pretty cool. Nicely done!!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Looks like a great place to work and have fun.

The 'Jet Pack' you created made me think you are one of Dr. Zarkov's apprentices from 'Flash Gordon' fame. lol

 

[Prototype Dept.]

Keep it on the down low, man. If Dr. Z finds out I posted pics, I can't be his henchman anymore.

 

[greywolves2]

Is this considered "Steampunk"?

Looks pretty cool!!!

Finally! Thanks for the response. Now let's try those project pics....

Bruce

 

[805gregg]

So your garage is nicer than your house, as it should be

 

[Prototype Dept.]

@greywolves--Yeah, this is steampunk. I got into it a couple of years ago and even built a website to try to sell my own line of steamy decor stuff, but there's no money in it. Everybody is into the clothing and I just want to make gadgets.
www.ThePrototypeDept.com

 

[jeffmoss26]

I love it. Subscribed!

 

[Big-Foot]

Fabulous! Any plans on doing some insulation on those walls to keep it a bit more comfy in there?

Congratulations on achieving your dream!

 

[Prototype Dept.]

I insulated upstairs where I have my office and do casting & silicone molds, so I had to have some control over room temp. That alone improved the downstairs shop, especially in the extreme summer heat. But I just can't afford to insulate and panel the machine shop, as much as I'd love to. It's really cheap just to wear a jacket and long johns. I do have a forced air heater, but even that's expensive to run.

Another reason I'd like to put up paneling is because those OSB walls make the shop so dark. Lighting is still a problem I haven't dealt with.

Bruce

 

[rob in nh]

i noticed the dozer , is that a cat 22?

 

[Prototype Dept.]

The crawler is a D2, the next later model than a 22. The serial number puts it at about a 1951. That's older than me!

 

[duggie]

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Now that's a wrench !!!

How big is that thing ??

 

[bj383ss]

Very cool workshop. That is a very nice big outfeed table. And the storage you have underneath is great. Any thing else cool you have upstairs or just the router?

Bret

 

[Prototype Dept.]

That wrench is about 5 1/2' long and it weighs 3 1/2 lbs! It's a foam prop I made as a learning experience. I'm thinking about making signs with oversized tools and stuff on them.

 

[Prototype Dept.]

This is what's upstairs. The casting area is where I make silicone molds and cast plastic and rubber parts. To the left is a hot box for curing and keeping chemicals warm. To the right is the vacuum pot for de-airing the urethanes I mix. I'll have to take some pics to show what the casting process looks like.

 

[Prototype Dept.]

I have an insane storage system so that my shop doesn't fill up with household **** and gardening tools and seasonal decorations and car stuff. The obvious answer is to build storage sheds. And as long as you're putting up more buildings, why not turn them into a ghost town! So I built my own town, made up a whole history, and named it Hogwash.
The Leather Shop was the first building, and it stores all my leather tools (duh) and a lot of small antique items I can't help collect.

Of course there's more, but I've got to figure out how to get the pics off a dead laptop.

Bruce

 

[don long]

I love the ghost town idea
I tore down some old fence on my property and want to replace it with the same Idea I used the old wood fence for siding in my party garage

 

[bj383ss]

Wow the Ghost Town is fantastic! Love the hand saw decor on the side. I am going to steal that idea. Been collecting old saws to decorate the woodshop with.

Bret

 

[Big-Foot]

Intrigued and subscribed!

Love the ghost town concept!

 

[gorilla]

The roll of rack for the mill vice is a really clever idea. Nice shop.