Subject: Urban shops

From: James Hoge <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 1996 21:27:16 -0600

I am in the process of buying a larger house and now finaly will have room to 
have a decent shop.
on the property is a 25 by 25 shed waiting to be used.
My only problem is that it is in a residential neighborhood. My neighbors I believe will be ok with it but I would Like some feedback on how others have 
delt with the problems of a blacksmith shop in the city.
Some people say, Just go ahead and do it and deal with it as it comes.

What do you all think.

				Gavin

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From: Chris Kilpatrick <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 1996 22:29:28 -0800

I suggest you go to your neighbors with a plate of cookies or a pie and 
introduce yourself.  Tell them that your hobby is blacksmithy and envite 
them over.  If they ask about the noise, tell the truth, then follow 
that with a question to the best times for them.  Most people will be 
flattered with the idea of an artist/blacksmith in the neighborhood and 
some will ask to help.  others will not be so helpful, oh well.  
Forewarning with a gift in hand goes reeeeeaaaaal far in neighborhood 
relations.

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From: [email-masked] (Jerry Frost)
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 1996 17:53:07 -0900

> Some people say, Just go ahead and do it and deal with it as it comes.

Gavin:

I live in a trailer court and used to do some work there. What worked 
for me was bribery, I sharpened knives, repaired things and did small 
welding and fab jobs for my neighbors, gratis. 

I made a couple things clear in the beginning: first, if I was 
disturbing anybody, just holler and I'd knock it off, and secondly I 
wouldn't put in much more than an hour on a freebie but would give them 
a discount on larger scale jobs.

This worked fine for more than 8 yrs. Of course, my neighbors may be 
more easy going than most.
-- 
If it ain't forged
It ain't real
wrought iron is
The FROSTWORKS

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From: Peter Goering <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 10:36:15 -0700 (MST)

> Some people say, Just go ahead and do it and deal with it as it comes.
Gavin,

I faced a similar problem awhile ago.  I found myself in the position to 
buy my first home at about the time I decided to become more than a hobbyist.
My real estate agent also happened to be on the city council and foresaw 
a myriad of problems for my plans vis a vis zoning, neighbors, etc. 
although he was most supportive of my plans.

To make a long story somewhat shorter, he found me a place 10 miles from 
town in a little village.  No zoning, plenty of space, best neighbors.

I burn coal, and a couple who live within smell range love it when I fire 
up because it reminds them of the smells in NYC!  I do a LOT of tool 
repairs for my neighbors (farmers mostly), but always with the caveat 
that I don't know what I'm doing, generally, but I'll give it a go.  I 
ALWAYS learn something, they get a (usually) well hardened and tempered 
edge, everyone is happy, but mostly I'm slowly being accepted as a useful 
member of the community.  Not easy in an area where the same families 
have held sway for 150 or so years.

A side note:  One fellow with a broken but favorite chisel informed me 
that the run down little shed that I am using for a smithy was formerly 
used as - a smithy! Ca. 1940's 

It gave me a new appreciation for the building even though I'm putting in 
a new shop (made of straw! Can't wait to hear from the pundits on this 
one. "Oh little pig...")

Pete Goering
Flamingo Forge
Polvadera NM 87828

"When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather,
Not screaming like the passengers in his car."