Author Topic: Working on a new tiny shop (Read 162489 times)

vtsteam · « **Reply #75 on:** December 20, 2014, 04:40:06 PM »

Here's a cloth pad (old cloth diaper (nappie?)) cut to fit the drill press table, and a scrap block of steel as an electrode.

vtsteam · « **Reply #76 on:** December 20, 2014, 04:49:41 PM »

Here's the pad and electrode set up on the drill press. I used a battery charger set to 6 volts. Current draw with this setup was about an amp. I wore rubber gloves even though this was a low voltage (washing soda is rough on skin -- as well as conductive), and never touched the press or pads while the charger was plugged in. Even low voltage can kill if the current is high enough, or there is a ground fault, and I don't take chances that way.

I had the door to the tiny shop open while de-rusting -- that's practically as much ventilation as removing a wall on a shop this small. I don't recommend anyone else try this under other circumstances, but as I did it I felt confident I wasn't going to fry myself or ignite gasses. The precautions hold true of charging an auto battery in a space like this.

vtsteam · « **Reply #77 on:** December 20, 2014, 04:54:45 PM »

I was gratified to be able to see even the original factory milling marks of the drill press table after only 10 minutes of de-rusting using this setup:

vtsteam · « **Reply #78 on:** December 20, 2014, 05:01:09 PM »

The bench vise was trickier because it wasn't flat, Rust removal wasn't perfect, but good enough for now. Next summer I'll probably take it apart, de-rust in a tank, and paint it.

vtsteam · « **Reply #79 on:** December 20, 2014, 05:06:11 PM »

The drill press and drill press vise look a lot happier than they did before. You can see I'm de-reusting the base below.

Well that's all for today.

awemawson · « **Reply #80 on:** December 20, 2014, 05:08:28 PM »

That's pretty impressive rust stripping Steve

SwarfnStuff · « **Reply #81 on:** December 21, 2014, 12:06:23 AM »

Congrats, a good solution with an equally good result.

Don't get it too pretty or you won't want to use it in case you mark it?

backofanenvelope · « **Reply #82 on:** December 21, 2014, 04:47:31 AM »

very interesting! I learn something new every day and I have a couple of things that would benefit from this process. Looks like I am going to have a busy year ahead..

TomC

vtsteam · « **Reply #83 on:** December 21, 2014, 02:17:30 PM »

Thanks Andrew, Swarf, BOE

I bought a sheet of pegboard the other day, and it's started snowing again, so I figured I'd better cut it up and get it inside. It's "tempered" which means water resistant, but I don't like to get it wet for long anyway.

I'm looking forward to working inside one of these days!

vtsteam · « **Reply #84 on:** December 21, 2014, 02:23:57 PM »

I ripped up some 1-1/2" square strips from 2 by material to hang the pegboard from. And I used a Ramset nailer to attach the cleats to the concrete block walls. These use a .22 charge to propel a hardened nail into the block.

vtsteam · « **Reply #85 on:** December 21, 2014, 02:28:53 PM »

Pegboard up.

vtsteam · « **Reply #86 on:** December 21, 2014, 02:33:24 PM »

And a view of the shop as it stands so far. I still have to photograph from outside to get it all in the picture!

krv3000 · « **Reply #87 on:** December 21, 2014, 04:43:46 PM »

ooo nice

awemawson · « **Reply #88 on:** December 21, 2014, 05:39:11 PM »

Looking good Steve

I have one of those Ramset guns, and when I first got it (perhaps 20 years ago)tried fixing a batten to a blockwork wall. The nail went right through, travelled 8 foot, went through the control enclosure of my Moog Hydrapoint 1000 NC machine, and penetrated a 24 volt power supply righting off the transformer

Since then I've treated it with caution

Last time I used (couple of years ago) it was to fix battens to the steel Universal Beams of my barn. It had no problem pushing a nail through a 6 mm web of the beam, but highly effective. Quite a kick though, my wrist hurt for days

vtsteam · « **Reply #89 on:** December 21, 2014, 05:55:35 PM »

Holy tamale, Andrew, you think maybe you used too high a number charge?

Sorry, it's not funny, really -- I imagine that must have shook you up! Not to mention irritated you about the CNC machine!

Stuff like that, that's when I usually start using some choice swear words about myself.

I use a #2 or #1 (green or brown) with concrete block. I think they go up to #5 (I don't even own anything over a #3).

I always shoot into a center rib or the mortar at a rib with concrete block. And since I built the wall, I know I'm going through solid. Never had a wall penetration.

Sometimes I don't get a full bury, but then I just hammer it home the old fashioned way. I'd rather under shoot than over!

Never tried it on steel. I know it's done, but seems impossible!

vtsteam · « **Reply #90 on:** December 21, 2014, 06:00:37 PM »

Thanks, Bob!!!

awemawson · « **Reply #91 on:** December 21, 2014, 06:52:28 PM »

Now I think back I've had three of those type of Ramset guns. First one had an odd trigger made of bent and twisted steel (by design) and I kept catching my finger on it when it fired. Put it on eBay and it was bought by a chap in Northrrn Ireland. Problem was I'd advertised it complete with ammunition and the 'troubles' were on at the time, I was concerned who might have been the purchaser, but he was just a builder it turned out. Next pair were of a later and better design, one complete, the other a basket case!

I certainly treat them with respect!

vtsteam · « **Reply #92 on:** December 21, 2014, 06:58:04 PM »

Mine doesn't have a trigger. You have to press it against the workpiece hard enough to disengage the internal spring loaded safety, and then hammer the end of it, like a big nail-set. Is that how your newer ones work, Andrew?

vtsteam · « **Reply #93 on:** December 22, 2014, 05:01:49 PM »

I managed to put away a lot of the tools I was using to build the shop and shift other items to storage. This uncovered my Gingery lathe, which had suffered a lot in storage. I decided to take another break from construction and clean it up to get an idea how bad the rust was. Here's what it looked like before cleaning:

vtsteam · « **Reply #94 on:** December 22, 2014, 05:16:46 PM »

But a little kerosene and a brush, and a clean with some rags showed that what I thought was rust, was mainly grime and old oil, and the lathe looks pretty good except for some minor spots -- I'll probably deal with those using some spot eletctrolysis pad cleaning with washing soda and water. There is far less rust than there was on the drill press and vises. The only real spot needing treatment is a small bit of surface rust behind the tailstock.

Quite happy about this -- it has really been bothering me seeing the state the Gingery lathe had fallen into these past few years in storage. Now it's rescued and will be used!

vtsteam · « **Reply #95 on:** December 22, 2014, 05:22:58 PM »

The lathe is located on the right side bench, which needs more work -- it will be extended wider, covered wth hardboard, and will receive probably shelves under, rather than drawers this time, so I can store metal stock and hand power tools.

I also want to make a different (sturdier) mount for the lathe, and move the motor, so the whole package is narrower.

I did manage to get some construction work done after all. I put up pegboard on this side of the shop, too. To do it, I had to move wiring and an outlet (not finished yet, but temporarily usable).

vtsteam · « **Reply #96 on:** December 22, 2014, 05:30:57 PM »

This is the latest state of the shop, as I left today -- view from the door. You can't see the left hand wall pegboard with tools shown earlier.

Two 8' benches, 32 sq ft of pegboard, and 15 drawers, so far.

awemawson · « **Reply #97 on:** December 22, 2014, 05:38:07 PM »

Excellent Steve - you'll be able to lock yourself away over Christmas, make it nice & warm & cosy and get on with those outstanding projects

vtsteam · « **Reply #98 on:** December 23, 2014, 10:03:07 AM »

Well, Andrew, very happy to enjoy Christmas with the family. But a shop seems like a present, itself. I don't need anything else! Definitely jonesing to start a silly pipe engine (or 3) so that thread challenge doesn't look so academic!

I know I have to finish the second bench, but with the lathe cleaned up some, it's so tempting to connect a power cord chuck some metal up. It's been 7 years since it was run last. But if I do, the bench will never be finished -- I know myself. Must resist!!!!

PekkaNF · « **Reply #99 on:** December 23, 2014, 11:24:56 AM »

Your shop looks really nice and cosy. I can imagine how much it took effort and restrain....I'm trough four iterations on my shop and mine is a lot less organized, but I can fit all in now and even work.

I envy your bench space.

Pekka

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Author Topic: Working on a new tiny shop (Read 162489 times)