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I Forge Iron

Prefabricated shop?


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I am now in the final negotiations for forging space in a nearby business park in Plymouth (uk). I had asked for an indoor unit but the company working upstairs was concerned that i would burn the building down! So i have now been allocated a spot on the concrete outside and have to supply my own temporary structure to forge in. 
 
This is the kind of thing i am thinking of: http://www.waltons.co.uk/10-x-15-Store-More-Canberra-Ten-Apex-Metal-Shed
 
 
I was wondering if anyone had come across any issues with this type of setup with regards to price, durability ventilation etc. I was planning on pinning it to the ground in all 4 corners to stop it blowing away and cutting a hole in the ceiling to fit the chimney. Other than that i will run a power cable from the main building for light and make some work surfaces to fit along one side. I think it may get very hot during summer when the sun is beating down on it, but it does have double doors and metal sheds are much cheaper than wood and are less inclined to burn down. 
 
thanks

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I don't know what prices are where you are but I needed some more shop space so I purchased a shipping container for 2K US.  Later when the roof started to leak I built a roof and awning off to the side which doubled the square footage.  Then I didn't need the container space so I rented it out for $200 per month, not a bad return on a 2k investment and I still use the covered side space.  I have seen 20' containers here for as low as $1,200 on craigslist.  

 

A container can be transported by a flat bed tow truck so moving it isn't a major expense.

 

Shipping containers are more structurally secure than most of the kit structures I have seen.  Windows and doors an be added easily with a plasma cutter, torch or saws all.

 

Two shipping containers can be placed side by side with a gap between them and then a roof built over them creating a nice roofed open work area.

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I closed in a metal carport and quickly realized my mistake.  It gets hot, very hot, even with 4 windows two large doors and fans.  In my past occupation, I lived in a shipping container and guess what, it also got hot, very hot.  Granted the shipping container had an air conditioner but that did not help with humidity.  If I ever build another smithy it may have a metal roof but wood sides that crank outward and allow for better air flow than I have now.  What I do now, is use the metal building in cold months (and we do not get many in Alabama) and forge outside the rest of the year.  I would suggest you build something closer to a pole barn than a big metal building.  Soon, I will be modifying my set up, planning ahead would have saved me a few bucks.

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My shop has walls of 2x4 studs with T111 siding and even with 2 windows on each side it gets way too hot.  My next upgrade is to put some insulation between the studs and sheetrock or more siding on the inside.  Basicly make the walls like a real house.  I didn't figure on needing insulation in Georgia, at least not form the cold.

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if you go the shed, see if you can get double doors both ends, i vote high cube shipping container, weld, cut, shut where you want, strong. i don't know anything about PH's but shipping container floors are solid, bit of bounce maybe but you may have to upgrade slab anyway. secure down either way you go

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  • 1 month later...

I own a 30'x50' steel building which I have now converted into a shop. This building hardly took 2-3 weeks to complete and require very less cost. The only problem I had faced is with heating. I am a welder and the area inside shop get heated quickly while working. A professional metal buildings denver advised me to add insulation to maintain the energy efficiency and to reduce excess heating problem.

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As you are in the Uk, heat may not be as much of an isue, but what happens is the sun heats the tin to a temp much higher than the ambient air, then the tin radiates the heat down into the shop. This is the same thing that makes a tent, without a fly so miserable in july.
The second isue is that in the cooler seasons, water will condence on the undrrside and drip on all your tools.
One must insulate the roof to have a confortable and effective. Secondly how secure is this building? Theives are a terible issue in the Us. Having a heavy equipment, tools and materials that you have invested good money stollen and sold as scrap is devistating.

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Wow, Blackleaf.. Sounds like your neighbours upstairs are going to be a right pain in the backside!!! I can imagine them complaining about the smoke coming from the stack if they are upstairs.. I'd keep looking for the right space if I were you! 

 

 With regards to the shed-  I can see an issue with condensation in a small metal shed, and security could be an issue as well.... size wise you could forge in it but not much else, not sure what you plan on making but if you need to lay anything out you've not got much space to work with-- or will this just be your forging 'station' ?   

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