Faffing in a Fabrication shop

[Theblackbox]

Next up got the unit cleared and started the floor!

I choose an epoxy system from regal paints

First up was an acid wash I did have to repeat this and mechanically abrade some old coatings off. If I was to do this again I would have hired a floor grinder

Once dried and throughly washed off and hoovered I applied the primer to the floor

Once that had dried for around 36hrs ended up like this

Then I applied a light grey top coat

All went well just started to harden towards the end so isn’t perfect but perfectly usable for a workshop that’ll get loads of abuse

That brings us upto date I’m leaving this to dry for a while. In the meantime I’m starting to get my tools all packed and machines ready for the move.

I have to be out of my current unit by the end of the month so plenty to do.

Once all machines are in place I will be getting the first fix of electric and then air all complete. I will be probably using cable tray with another channel inside that for the air and then fabricate some lids for it all and will drop down to each electric point with galvanised conduit.

 

[steve t]

Good luck in the new workshop

 

[Theblackbox]

Also been working on a layout for the workshop drew the space to scale and then each piece of kit to scale. The kitchen etc isn’t shown and is to the right side of this plan.

This is a rough layout I need to put a stud wall in around the electrics to protect that and will block off the pedestrian door as there’s another in the office so that’ll be the main entry.

 

[dieselsamurai]

The only thing I would say is with the lathe right up against the wall you wont be able to pass anything long through the headstock , also that close to a bench grinder will get covered in dust from it unless you have extraction

 

[Theblackbox]

The only thing I would say is with the lathe right up against the wall you wont be able to pass anything long through the headstock , also that close to a bench grinder will get covered in dust from it unless you have extraction

That’s a good point thank you.

Just got to see how the tube rack sits in this will be raised up against the wall and then usable space underneath

luckily there is some heavy steel channel that came off the wall that I can have so hoping to use that to build it

I’m hoping to be able to turn the lathe 90 degrees which will work better and I’ll get the mill placed in that corner as well.

The grinder ideally I’d place over towards the drill just got to see what space there is.

 

[Cal]

@Theblackbox great stuff.

 

[Theblackbox]

Well the floor seems to have hardened up nicely there’s a few imperfections but not bad for a first attempt I’m sure it’ll get beaten up over time.

I was concerned it was going to be slippery given the gloss level but seems to be all okay so far.

Work has started in my current workshop packing away tools getting machinery ready to be moved all air lines are now removed.

 

[dobbslc]

Lovely looking place you have there!
Seems like you fell on your feet with the landlord as well.
What about coring a 110mm hole through the wall by the lathe headstock and fitting a bit of soil pipe with a screw on cap to pass long material through?

 

[Theblackbox]

Lovely looking place you have there!
Seems like you fell on your feet with the landlord as well.
What about coring a 110mm hole through the wall by the lathe headstock and fitting a bit of soil pipe with a screw on cap to pass long material through?

Thank you. Yeah new landlord is really sound which helps a lot!

Sadly next door is my landlord so this wouldn’t work. I’ve had a second measure up and the lathe can spin around and then I can get the mill and surface grinder all in that corner as well.

Spent a bit of today building stud walking around the electric box was a bit too exposed for my liking as my bench will be around here. I’m hoping to also have this as a bit of a utility type cupboard so I can store broom and dustpan and brush etc in here.

I’ve also built a similar wall which will go up top with the compressor to house the filters and electrics.

 

[Theblackbox]

Well after a few long weeks and a lot of shifting my old unit looks like this keys handed in today as well

 

[Theblackbox]

The new unit is still looking a bit of a mess but is in some sort of order and most machines are in their final positions there are a couple I’m not 100% set on position.

This is the machine shop corner I should be able to get a long bar through the lathe headstock should I need it.

The drill and grinder will switch places so it’s closer to my bench

Air compressor and tanks are on the mezzanine and have some general storage up there.

I’ve used the second table extension I had to put the press on so the other steel bench is clear. I’ll definitely need to add a rear guard from sheet to this to stop it getting covered in grinding dust.

managed to have space in front of the Pressbrake to have the table with tooling placed guillotine is to the right of the Pressbrake means I can bring sheet straight in on a forklift and onto guillotine.

My bench is generally laid out the same as before the tube rack, saw and deburrer will be next to this

Thats upto date I’m currently giving the walls a coat of paint and hopefully should start installing all electrics and air next week.

 

[Theblackbox]

I can safely say I’m fed up with painting now! Just one wall left to complete! I’m glad I’ve only used the grey on one wall be like working in a prison otherwise!

Cable tray should be here early next week so that’s next to up. Currently deciding on new filtration for compressed air system.

 

[500e]

Looks great love clean tidy work shops, wish I could get the scruffy Erks to keep the big shop clean and put things away, cant shout to much as it is not mine so I grin & bear it.

 

[Theblackbox]

Looks great love clean tidy work shops, wish I could get the scruffy Erks to keep the big shop clean and put things away, cant shout to much as it is not mine so I grin & bear it.

Thank you. Part of the perk of working for myself and on my own means I get to use some nice tools and have only myself to blame for it being a tip! I do follow quite a few of the lean principles hopefully can expand upon this as this workshop takes shape.

As I once said to a customer who commented on how tidy my workshop was “you pay me to make something not look for tools”

 

[Theblackbox]

Loads more progress. First up and most importantly a new tea,coffee and biscuit cupboard got put up in the kitchen area.

Got an electrician onboard I’ve been doing all the labouring for them getting all the cable tray up, conduit installed, sockets in position and running cable they then can come in and connect up.

This is all still a work in progress some air points got installed as well

New board went in biggest that could fit in still managed to basically fill it

I’ve used some pre-made arms they were cheap enough to carry the cable to guillotine and Pressbrake nice amount of head height and super strong should I hit it.

Cable tray had to go high on the back wall to fit an eventual steel rack below. I will fold up some guards for the cable before racking goes in place it is swa anyway.

My bench isn’t near a wall unlike last workshop so I’ve used some channel bolted to the bottom of the bench then bolted sockets to this. I’ve got endcaps and a galvanised strip to go in the open part so it’ll be well protected
I’ve actually raised these sockets a bit and added cleats since this photo the gas bottles will be bolted to the wall here.

 

[Beanwood]

How did you manage to paint your wall blocks so well - I did our workshop last year, and it just seemed to soak straight in - even after 3 coats it wasn't as good as yours looks.

That's all looking really good - surely you'll have to start messing it up shortly by making some stuff though

 

[selectedgrub]

Great idea on the strippers pole.

 

[Theblackbox]

Great idea on the strippers pole.

Thank you Which bit are you referring to?

How did you manage to paint your wall blocks so well - I did our workshop last year, and it just seemed to soak straight in - even after 3 coats it wasn't as good as yours looks.

That's all looking really good - surely you'll have to start messing it up shortly by making some stuff though

I’ve used trade emulsion paint Screwfix have leyland on offer for a bit. Water it down until around double cream consistency, 12” fluffy roller I ended up doing between 2-3 coats on most walls the second coat I didn’t thin the paint much and the last was straight on.

Thank you. Yes I have some work in the pipeline so some mess will be created but have around 3 weeks until my other hand gets operated on for carpal tunnel release so quite limited what I can take on.