Subject: Re: Blacksmith Shop Design

From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 18:33:57 -0500

I can't say how it works yet as I am presently building my shop but I can
let you know what I am doing and why.  I don't have any plans other than
what I've put together from reading books from the library.   The size is
24' x 32',  big enough for now but not to hard to heat(NE Indiana weather).
8' side walls because I'm not driving heavy equipment into it and don't need
it any taller.  This is a  pole building construction with 4x6 treated posts
8' apart.  I chose to use a center post to support a center beam so I
wouldn't have to use pre-stress rafters so I can put in a useable loft.  I
have six windows (three on each side) for light,ventilation and because they
were given to me by a friend remodeling their house.  I have 2 walk through
doors and a overhead garage type door (this will also be the family repair
center).  I haven't decided what type of floor to end up with dirt,
gravel/sand mix, brick, or concrete.  They all have their good and bad
points, and costs.  As far as the floor layout goes I haven't come up with
anything permanent yet, but I ask others at hammer-ins and read as much info
as I can find.  The Blacksmith's Journal (Sept. 92) has a nice shop layout
write- up in it. 

Good luck
Mark Thomas
Markle, IN
[email-masked]

At 03:33 PM 3/25/96 EST, you wrote:
>     After years of collecting tools and dragging my stuff in and out of a 
>     shed in order to work, I am ready to build myself a small shop......  
>     .........(snip)...................All ideas will be appreciated, as
well as any 
>     building plans, materials lists, etc. that anyone may have.
>     
>     Thanks to all for taking the time to read this post.
>     
>     John Nicol
>     Lebanon, CT
>
>
>

---

From: Mike Linn <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 96 16:57 EST

At 03:33 PM 3/25/96 EST, you wrote:

>     All ideas will be appreciated, as well as any 
        I built my forge out of mostly scrap material. Mainly scrap lumber.
The  corner posts are 4x4x12 and are sunk 4 ft in the ground. The roof
rafters are 1x4 pieces and 2x4's nailed to the beams. The roof, and walls
are 24"x12' galvanized roofing tin. Loud in the rain but it keeps my anvil
dry. The east wall is hinged at the top so it swings up and is supported on
1x2's while i work. I made little hooks to hold it closed in wind storms.
Its not much but it works till i can afford something better.

mike
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               Michael Linn 
            Artisian Blacksmith
              AFC Web Master
 http://www.the-matrix.com/afc/index.html
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