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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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#1
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Building a SMALL Shop
Has anyone built a SMALL portable shop..."shop in a box"?
If so, I would like to see some pictures of it. After looking around for ideas of how to do it, I was very surprised to see almost nothing posted. The only location that seems to have anything is Sherline's site. Thanks in advance. TMT |
#2
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Building a SMALL Shop
Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Has anyone built a SMALL portable shop..."shop in a box"? If so, I would like to see some pictures of it. After looking around for ideas of how to do it, I was very surprised to see almost nothing posted. The only location that seems to have anything is Sherline's site. The first article in Rudy Kouhoupt's book "The Shop Wisdom of Rudy Kouhoupt", volume one is exactly that. I recommend the book, not only for the article, but to see the incredible stuff he could build with his shop in a box. |
#3
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Building a SMALL Shop
Thanks for responding.
I was aware of the article but to my surprise I do not see any sites that have implemented what I consider to be an excellent idea. One of the reasons why I am looking for this information is to see the variations of implementations that I would expect others to have made. Any links to sites that have variations on this theme? Thanks TMT |
#4
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Building a SMALL Shop
Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Thanks for responding. I was aware of the article but to my surprise I do not see any sites that have implemented what I consider to be an excellent idea. One of the reasons why I am looking for this information is to see the variations of implementations that I would expect others to have made. Then next time you have a question, you might tell us where you're starting from so someone won't waste 20 minutes pulling down books, ckecking spelling and composing a reply. |
#5
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Building a SMALL Shop
Jim, I thanked you for your efforts...and I do appreciate it.
I would also have asked the question the same way. I am looking for different implementations of the theme (with Andy's being just one of them) and not to just mimic his approach. That is why I am looking and asking for different approaches. Thanks again, TMT |
#6
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Building a SMALL Shop
On 12 Mar 2006 11:36:31 -0800, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Has anyone built a SMALL portable shop..."shop in a box"? If so, I would like to see some pictures of it. After looking around for ideas of how to do it, I was very surprised to see almost nothing posted. The only location that seems to have anything is Sherline's site. Thanks in advance. TMT What is "small"? The military has portable machine shops built into expandable shipping containers. They're delivered to wherever (Iraq), powered up and ready to make replacement parts and modifications. They comes stocked with raw materials as well as 4-5 axis(?) machines. Saw the setup in some trade magazine a few months ago. Unfortunately, I don't remember which one. I think the article told of one "hot" job they had which was to modify the machine gun turrets on the Hummers to point more upward to shoot at snipers on roof tops. -- Skuke Reverse the domain name to send email |
#7
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Building a SMALL Shop
How about If I let you decide what is "small"?
The request was for links to what has been done...got any? Thanks TMT |
#8
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Building a SMALL Shop
"Too_Many_Tools" wrote in message oups.com... How about If I let you decide what is "small"? The request was for links to what has been done...got any? Thanks TMT This one might still be available...Paul :-) http://groups.google.com/group/rec.crafts.metalworking/browse_frm/thread/ce5cf969a40f2449/94fad5020598fd34?lnk=st&q=author%3Aaltavoz+trailer &rnum=7&hl=en#94fad5020598fd34 |
#9
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Building a SMALL Shop
On 12 Mar 2006 15:55:13 -0800, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
How about If I let you decide what is "small"? The request was for links to what has been done...got any? Thanks TMT To me, a machine shop in a shipping container would be small. ...And I come from a background of R&D with 5 machinist in the shop. We've had minimal resources and space. I eventually went to the Sherline links and if that is your definition of small and is what you're looking to achieve, then the container shop is HUGE by your standards :-) Here's the link to what I wrote of earlier: www.ctemag.com/pdf/0508-Multitask.pdf Sorry I didn't post it earlier but it was tough to Google because of the usless title. I had to rumage through my old stack of trade magazines, go to their websites and search from within. ...That took a little bit of time. Incidently, I do make small parts. sub .010" drills, slots, pockets... in SST, AL, Ti... but with conventional sized machines (not Sherlines size). -- Skuke Reverse the domain name to send email |
#10
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Building a SMALL Shop
skuke wrote:
On 12 Mar 2006 15:55:13 -0800, Too_Many_Tools wrote: How about If I let you decide what is "small"? The request was for links to what has been done...got any? Thanks TMT To me, a machine shop in a shipping container would be small. ...And I come from a background of R&D with 5 machinist in the shop. We've had minimal resources and space. I eventually went to the Sherline links and if that is your definition of small and is what you're looking to achieve, then the container shop is HUGE by your standards :-) He could scale it down into one of the inexpensive 4x8 cargo trailers and even mount a generator and compressor on the tongue for total portability. The build fiber optic splicing shops into trailers that size so it's a pretty reasonable idea. Pete C. Here's the link to what I wrote of earlier: www.ctemag.com/pdf/0508-Multitask.pdf Sorry I didn't post it earlier but it was tough to Google because of the usless title. I had to rumage through my old stack of trade magazines, go to their websites and search from within. ...That took a little bit of time. Incidently, I do make small parts. sub .010" drills, slots, pockets... in SST, AL, Ti... but with conventional sized machines (not Sherlines size). -- Skuke Reverse the domain name to send email |
#11
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Building a SMALL Shop
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 01:20:30 GMT, Pete C. wrote:
The build fiber optic splicing shops into trailers that size so it's a pretty reasonable idea. My old housemate spliced fiber cables. The device he often used was about the size of a large briefcase. When he had his own fiber business, he wound up buying a used ambulance because it already came with a high ceiling, shelving, work space and flashing lights (for traffic safety). BTW, you NEVER want to get glass fiber splinters!!! They're .004" in diameter and impossible to see once in the flesh, even under a microscope. I spent an hour hacking away with a scalpel and the only way I could determine where the glass was located was because the scalpel stopped cutting meat when it hit the glass. The flesh moved differently when hit by the knife. -- Skuke Reverse the domain name to send email |
#12
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Building a SMALL Shop
How about If I let you decide what is "small"?
The request was for links to what has been done...got any? Thanks TMT OK, small to me is a shed on a trailer I made when I moved. http://www.plansandprojects.com/My%20Machines/ Click on "New portable shop" Ron Thompson On the Beautiful Florida Space Coast, right beside the Kennedy Space Center, USA http://www.plansandprojects.com My hobby pages are he http://www.plansandprojects.com/My%20Machines/ Severe stupidity is self correcting, but mild stupidity is rampant in the land. -Ron Thompson |
#13
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Building a SMALL Shop
skuke wrote:
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 01:20:30 GMT, Pete C. wrote: The build fiber optic splicing shops into trailers that size so it's a pretty reasonable idea. My old housemate spliced fiber cables. The device he often used was about the size of a large briefcase. The arc-fusion splicers are pretty damn impressive, the ones I've used were about 1' cubes. You still need a clean, well lit and climate controlled work space around it though. When he had his own fiber business, he wound up buying a used ambulance because it already came with a high ceiling, shelving, work space and flashing lights (for traffic safety). Most companies use trailers, probably for a couple reasons. They can be readily left at a location for a few days when there is a lot of splicing to do while allowing the crew to still drive the tow vehicle back to the shop and the taxes / registration / insurance on a trailer is much lower than an actual motor vehicle. For a one man operation a converted vehicle makes sense, for a large company, generally not. BTW, you NEVER want to get glass fiber splinters!!! They're .004" in diameter and impossible to see once in the flesh, even under a microscope. I spent an hour hacking away with a scalpel and the only way I could determine where the glass was located was because the scalpel stopped cutting meat when it hit the glass. The flesh moved differently when hit by the knife. Doesn't sound like fun. Pete C. -- Skuke Reverse the domain name to send email |
#14
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Building a SMALL Shop
--Head on over to stanleysteamers.com and ping JW, the guy that runs
the site. He built a workshop into a Wells Cargo trailer; I remember it was set up pretty neat. -- "Steamboat Ed" Haas : Better an early adapter Hacking the Trailing Edge! : than an early adopter.. http://www.nmpproducts.com/intro.htm ---Decks a-wash in a sea of words--- |
#15
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Building a SMALL Shop
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 03:15:22 GMT, Pete C. wrote:
My old housemate spliced fiber cables. The device he often used was about the size of a large briefcase. The arc-fusion splicers are pretty damn impressive, the ones I've used were about 1' cubes. You still need a clean, well lit and climate controlled work space around it though. Yeah, that's what he called it; fusion splicer. The first one he had was about $10k and the size of a large-ish suitcase. The second one, a newer model, was the same price, but briefcase sized and had more bells and whistles. I don't remember any cube shaped ones. I don't know about the climate control work area though. He used to make jumpers on my pool table in the garage. Come to think of it, it wasn't clean or well lit either! He did make bank on those things though. He sit there and crank out a half dozen(?) every hour and sold them for WELL over $100.00 each. -- Skuke Reverse the domain name to send email |
#16
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Building a SMALL Shop
To me, the size of the shop is determined by the things that one is going to
work on. If it is machining small parts, or making small things, small is small. But, if it involves working on pieces of 20' long material, small isn't good. You can put a lot of machinery in a small space, and do it in an orderly efficient manner. But when you bring in the workpieces, that's usually where the real space is needed. I do tubular steel. If I want to make a 20' awning, the machinery to do that will fit very easily in the back of a pickup with enough space left for about four day laborers. But the space it takes to do this is larger unless you want to work outside in the rain and wind. YMMV. Steve |
#17
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Building a SMALL Shop
doing a splice 12 feet below street level in a manhole isnt clean and
well lit either let alone repair splices that are in pits that have just been torn up by a backhoe skuke wrote: On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 03:15:22 GMT, Pete C. wrote: My old housemate spliced fiber cables. The device he often used was about the size of a large briefcase. The arc-fusion splicers are pretty damn impressive, the ones I've used were about 1' cubes. You still need a clean, well lit and climate controlled work space around it though. Yeah, that's what he called it; fusion splicer. The first one he had was about $10k and the size of a large-ish suitcase. The second one, a newer model, was the same price, but briefcase sized and had more bells and whistles. I don't remember any cube shaped ones. I don't know about the climate control work area though. He used to make jumpers on my pool table in the garage. Come to think of it, it wasn't clean or well lit either! He did make bank on those things though. He sit there and crank out a half dozen(?) every hour and sold them for WELL over $100.00 each. |
#18
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Building a SMALL Shop
Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Jim, I thanked you for your efforts...and I do appreciate it. I would also have asked the question the same way. I am looking for different implementations of the theme (with Andy's being just one of them) and not to just mimic his approach. That is why I am looking and asking for different approaches. I think his point is that if you say what you've already done you'll avoid duplication of effort. -- --John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net) |
#19
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Building a SMALL Shop
Brent Philion wrote:
doing a splice 12 feet below street level in a manhole isnt clean and well lit either let alone repair splices that are in pits that have just been torn up by a backhoe Nope, emergency repairs you just deal with what's there. For new installations though it seems to be the norm to have enough slack on the cables to do all the splicing in the controlled environment of the trailer and then tuck everything back into the vault / ped / whatever. Pete C. |
#20
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Building a SMALL Shop
skuke wrote:
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 03:15:22 GMT, Pete C. wrote: My old housemate spliced fiber cables. The device he often used was about the size of a large briefcase. The arc-fusion splicers are pretty damn impressive, the ones I've used were about 1' cubes. You still need a clean, well lit and climate controlled work space around it though. Yeah, that's what he called it; fusion splicer. The first one he had was about $10k and the size of a large-ish suitcase. The second one, a newer model, was the same price, but briefcase sized and had more bells and whistles. I don't remember any cube shaped ones. I think it was a Fujikura or something like that. Nice little flip up LCD monitor showing the image from the microscopic camera and the splice analysis data. Tiny little oven for applying the heat shrink reinforcements to the splice area. Really neat little unit. I don't know about the climate control work area though. He used to make jumpers on my pool table in the garage. Come to think of it, it wasn't clean or well lit either! He did make bank on those things though. He sit there and crank out a half dozen(?) every hour and sold them for WELL over $100.00 each. Yep, was a time (may still be) when a contractor with a modest investment in equipment and training could make good money doing fiber work. Even more money if you had an OTDR. Pete C. |
#21
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Building a SMALL Shop
Pete C. wrote: He could scale it down into one of the inexpensive 4x8 cargo trailers and even mount a generator and compressor on the tongue for total portability. Is there a combination compressor/generator powered by gas or diesel? |
#22
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Building a SMALL Shop
Rex B wrote:
Pete C. wrote: He could scale it down into one of the inexpensive 4x8 cargo trailers and even mount a generator and compressor on the tongue for total portability. Is there a combination compressor/generator powered by gas or diesel? Yes / no. The only one I know of commercially is the Miller Air-Pack which is a diesel welder/generator/compressor. You could however assemble one quite easily. Get one of the Onan 6.5 KW commercial RV style generators that has the extended shaft typically used to power a hydraulic pump for a lift truck and then couple an inexpensive compressor head to the generator and use an electric clutch or air unloader valve to control tank pressure. Pete C. |
#23
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Building a SMALL Shop
"I think his point is that if you say what you've already done you'll
avoid duplication of effort. -- --John ": I understand his point and I do appreciate it. I also again appreciate his contributions along with anyone else who cares to offer suggestions as to what route they took to enhance portability of a workshop. The reason why I did not mention it is because I am looking for how people have "improved" Andy's implementation and that I am looking for a range of solutions...I have more than one problem to solve for a friend....we will be building a toolshop in a box along with a toolshop on wheels. Again any links or links to pictures are welcome. TMT |
#24
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Building a SMALL Shop
According to Brent Philion :
doing a splice 12 feet below street level in a manhole isnt clean and well lit either let alone repair splices that are in pits that have just been torn up by a backhoe How about ones where the buried fiber optic cable was hit by a powered posthole auger? This happened during some new construction at where I used to work. The contractor was told to dig all of the postholes in a specific area by hand, because of the buried cables. He dug the first three that way, and when the supervisor went elsewhere, he got out the auger and started drilling. The first hole, he pulled it back out and said "What is all this orange junk wound up in the auger?" It took quite a bit of work to track those back to where the breaks were, dig them up, and re splice them. Needless to say -- he did *not* make a profit on that job. :-) Enjoy, DoN. -- Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564 (too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html --- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero --- |
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