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I Forge Iron

Small shop for $500


marcusb

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Finally getting around to posting pics of the small shop I have been working on. Moved here in January so some days it was -20 below when I was working on the building! Rough Sawn wood is local mills "outs". Building is held together with coated exterior screws.

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I was shooting for a $300 budget but sprang for some pressure treat on the bottom to resist rot and new roofing. Came in just over $500 when completed. I built it similar to a barn so I can lift of the structure and attach anything to the walls with a simple nail etc. Long term plan is to convert it into a hunting cabin when I get a permanent shop built. I built a few add ons inside, small work bench and a hammer rack, currently installing a hood and stack. Man do they fill up fast!

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My pole barn builder told me to build the biggest building I could afford.  No matter what size you go with, it will end up too small.  He told me that the biggest 'complaint' he gets from customers is that they should have gone higher/longer/wider.

 

I now wish I had gone higher and longer.   Any building will fill up before you know it.

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I'd build a covered porch and do most of the forging under it save for the winter---though I used to work outside in Columbus OH in the winter. I put a piece of scrap plywood on the snow to stand on---kept the feet warmer.

I was able to get a bunch of hail damaged propanel to build my shop; did a 20'x30'x10' high wall for about US$500 (and a lot of swear equity---no not sweat...) of course the only stuff I bought were the trusses (used craigslist), purlins and the SDST screws...

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Forgot to add im living on a rental property, shed has to be moved when we move. One reason I kept it small and the fact I had such a small budget. I moved out of a 25x25 into this, real adjustment. My main concern was theft, have alot of money invested into my tools, and I was worried they might walk off.

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Thanks for the comments guys, finally got the place straightened up, great to have a shop again, even on a smaller scale! Heres a pic of my current setup. I need to figure out a better metal stock storage system and add some tin on top of my table.

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very nice shop, size is what one can afford or fit on property.  The Pole barn builder was correct I'm sure one never builds big enough.  I have had 4 built in 10 yrs two to replace fallen down building so had to use footprint for zoning.  Two new and both were what I could afford at the time and still do the job.   Wish both were bigger until the tax bill shows up.  Pole barns can be added onto easily so enjoy what you have, your ahead of an awful lot of others on this sight. 

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5 acres with log cabin, 3 story barn, work shop, blacksmith shop, assorted other farm buildings. in VT $6500, 18 acres in CT with cabin, horse barn $8500 taxes.  Location does = taxes.  Brother in law has 55 acres in CT in land use/forestry with taxes of $200.  Must have 25 acres in single lot with no other use to qualify.

Tom is correct Location. 

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5 acres with log cabin, 3 story barn, work shop, blacksmith shop, assorted other farm buildings. in VT $6500, 18 acres in CT with cabin, horse barn $8500 taxes.  Location does = taxes.  Brother in law has 55 acres in CT in land use/forestry with taxes of $200.  Must have 25 acres in single lot with no other use to qualify.

Tom is correct Location. 

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Yeah, that's a nice space, good size. It's a good size building too, it'll be easy to winch up on a flat bead trailer and move. If you need more space build another just like it but with the high side wall open. You can push them together and use a simple material to cap the ridge line, think Weather seal. double the space but NOT make a larger building. It'll be two trips or a bigger trailer but still  within pickup truck range.

 

Well done, forge on.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

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Greetings Marc,

 

You have built yourself a nice little shop that will serve you well...   I would make one suggestion ...  Install a 12in dia pipe into your hood vent and make a cut out on the bottom for a side draft for your forge..   Also for small stock storage I use old fire extinguishers that I cut the tops off for vertical storage..  I see you have a calking vice..  I use mine all the time ... Put her to work....   Have fun 

 

Forge on and make beautiful things

 

Jim

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10x10? Luxury! It looks very commodious.

My first forge was 3m x 4m (9' x 12') I managed to squeeze in a Blacker hammer, a full size hearth, a 5cwt (560lb) anvil a pillar drill, leg vice and treadle hammer. I extended it with a 1.5m (5') lean to and it ended up housing the hearth, Blacker, treadle hammer which shared my 340lb anvil, 50 kilo Reiter, and 1cwt Alldays and Onions. Any thing over 1metre long and I was standing outside the door operating the hammers just inside!

I managed to do all the forging of some relatively large gates for Saint Paul's Cathedral in there, I didn't assemble them in there though! That was done on a concrete slab which was covered by a builders polythene clad wooden frame.

Plenty of space :) I am sure you will enjoy it!

Alan

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