Glenn Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 What have you seen in "other" shops that needs fixed? Not that it would ever happen in your shop ....but some things that need attention from a outside perspective, a fresh set of eyes. If you were to pick one or two items that could be "brought up to standard" what would they be? * The electrical cord that the insulation has separated and pulled out of the socket. Wires still intact, but it just needs reattached. * The air hose with the bulge in the rubber. Still serviceable, it just needs a coupling installed at the bulge (or a piece of pipe and a couple of clamps). * The fire extinguisher that leaked off and now the needle is in the red zone, but not very far into the red. * The one piece of steel you keep tripping over and have intended to move for how long ? Any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 You see the same stuff most anywhere you go - which is why OSHA remains in business. - Too many extension cords and hoses lying on the floor as a trip hazard - Exposed wire wheels - Too many plugs on one outlet (or extension cord) The list goes on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayco Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 I've suspended use of the oxy/acetelene torch in my shop until I get new hoses. Last week I opened the valves and heard leaks.I told my son to NOT use them as well.The hoses are old and cracked. I don't consider it safe to patch around on those kind of things. Gonna get NEW HOSES! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 I gotta get the pipe insulation covers installed for the screwpress's down hanging handles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 most often seen thing to me is going into a tall smiths shop and he has his anvil height set for a midget, or he has no place to put tools used at the anvil but on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 Multi plug adapters plugged into multi plug adapters plugged into multi plug adapters and the fifty power tools plugged in to the gob and all plugged into a 15 amp plug. "How come the lights dim when I turn on my gri-...??? Gosh. it sure got dark all the sudden!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 I have an air leak I need to fix on the pipe from my compressor. One of my roll up doors has something that rolls around in the top when I close it. I really need to take the cover off all my welding machines and my plasma cutter and blow out all the dust and grit. I need to take the guard off my hammer and grind and paint it. This is a good idea, maybe now I will get some of this done. Kinda like a "honey-do-it-myself list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I have to find another place to put the treated 4X4 posts that are going into my kids' new swingset. I need a hood on my new forge to draw the smoke out of the shop. Since I am just getting a good start at this, I need to come up with places to store tools and steel that I am not using and I need a good work table. But I will be moving within the year, so all of that is on hold until we get our new place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I just need to extend the shop out enough to fit the 20' x 30' work table so there's enough room to pile everything that accumulates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meancoyote Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 im gonna put a hood or something on my forge to help block some wind. a roof to work under would be nice. maybe ill stop burning woodchips soaked in used motor oil as forge fuel someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Just finished my new Forge or as many of you call it my shop Need to enclose the eaves and put the woodstove in place. Only trouble is I built a bigger shop but ran out of room before its even getting cooler outside. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 What a great looking shop. That place looks big enough to live in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Looks like there is plenty of room for expansion too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Allthough the two lean-to's were put on for hammer-ins and meetings where anyone that wants to forge can, they are each 10ft x 40ft and built so that i can enclose them if needed. But no plans for that in the near future Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skunkriv Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Yesteryear-Sure is nice to see the pics of your shop. Can't tell you how many times I have built one just exactly like it...on paper! One of these days maybe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 Skunkriv Yeah i built it on paper for years also. Then i just went ahead and bit the bullet and built it. Me and Primtechsmith did most of the work. It seemed that every design that i started out with ended up like the one you see. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 One of the big safety things I see in a lot of shops is steel storage. Even I do it and that's not good. I have stuff sticking out at head height and I have head banged, nearly poked out my eye and caught steel in the mouth. In my old shop I would stick Styrofoam blocks on the ends to slow down injury. Undersized electrical service is another big item too. I have seen under sized air mains in shops where they rely heavily on air driven equipment. They will run their compressor at a higher pressure to make up for the undersized main. They will also have the line sloped toward the air tool instead of back to the receiver and no auto drain on the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I went ahead and covered the down hanging handles on my screw press with foam pipe insulation, now they are quite comfortable to run into... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 Wrap those handles in yellow or bright red duct tape, so you can see it coming at you :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 I ask the original question, so I guess I better report back on the progress. So far I have removed two old artificial Christmas trees (in boxes), a 5 gallon bucket of clay for lining forges (now firmly dry and set up like concrete), and a wheelbarrow of loose metal, drops, etc. The trash man got a garbage bag and a half of old paper, cardboard, floor sweepings, etc. There may be hope yet, I just have to stay focused a while longer. On the bright side, I did take time to install a flood light over the main work table. (pun intended) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 The blacksmithing parts of my shop aren't up and running yet, but I'll call out a few safety points that I want fixed before I declare it complete and running: 1) Better steel storage is needed for sheets and long lengths 2) Wiring needs to be run on one side of the shop. I finished the other side on a different circuit and now run extension cords across the middle. 3) A large fire extingisher is needed. I picked up one of those old small ones with the needle just into the red for free. When the indoor forge is finished, I'll need a real one. 4) Overhead storage is needed. I'd like to get some kitchen cabinets high on the walls to clean up much of the clutter that is just being stored for some unknown project. 5) The old geared-head drill press needs a switch and a bigger motor. Right now I have to reach behind the flat belt to the power strip switch on the wall to turn it on. Then, the motor is short on torque and needs a pull or two on the belt to get started. A new, larger start cap didn't help enough. 6) Various tools should be anchored better: the grinder, belt grinder, drill press, power hacksaw, benches... 7) I need a real welding bench. I have a ~30x30x.75" AL plate sitting on a composite wood table... 8) The water lines need to be fixed. There is a sink out there, but the pipes had burst before I moved in. That's supposed to be the first aid/clean up/fire suppression corner, but I piled up junk there because the plumbing needs work. 9) Last but not least (I couldn't think of a tenth, but I'm sure there's more) the projects, materials, and latest finds that are all over the benches and floor need to be finished and out of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Electrical list: Hard wire the buzz box into the wall so the 220 cable isn't rubbing against the edge of the welding bench. Improve the level of lighting in the welding area Forge Add some sort of a hood to guide the smoke better into the chimney. Install a sky hook so long work can be supported. General Install the hoist. Install the drill press vice which I have now owned for 10 months and is still in its box. Fix the holes in the tiled floor with some cement. Lock away all those loose tools that kids find so fascinating. Build the bench for woodwork. Demolish the "bench" that is falling to pieces and has a 70 pound vice on it. (Ouch). Sharpen the chain on my saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagedude Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I need to add a number of emergency stop switches plus a cut off system for the forge incase the fan fails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steponmebbbboom Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Say it with me... MUSHROOMED CHISEL AND PUNCH HANDLES! I'm the only one i know that keeps them clean! When they go, they GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayco Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 The rotary amperage selector on my arc welder is stuck on 75 amps......must have gotten dirty. An arc at the contacts.NOw I must take the thing apart to survey the damage. I had this happen once before, and I just broke it loose gently, cleaned it up, and was good to go. We'll see! James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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