two questions one, had terrible time with rust in my shop this summer. live in Maryland. any suggestions on how to get it off things i.e. saw blades, drill press, table saw, etc. any help would be appreciated.
second question, we’re designing a new shop in and old building and moving our county’s sr center wood shop into it, need design ideas and examples i can show folks, where is the best place to look for ideas. thanks.
Replies
When I rehabbed a six inch jointer, I covered the tables with a layer of 30 wt. engine oil, let it sit for a week, then scraped it off with a four inch putty knife.
Worked really well. After that, I took W/D paper and oil to it with a sanding block made from a 2x4.
Good luck.
Roanoke VA
No specific design references, but a few thoughts. I assume you choice of tools will be geared to the types of projects the clients will likely make. I presume they will be more on the smaller, crafty side than large entertainment-center-sized pieces generally?
Good lighting is critical to any shop, more so when eyes get older. Four foot, 32 watt T8 fluorescent tubes with electronic ballasts are good choices. It's better to have more fixtures rather than larger fixtures so you get good even lighting with no shadows. So 1 or 2 tube fixtures are better than using more tubes per fixture. For fluorescents, figure about 1 to 1ΒΌ watts per square foot would be nice and bright. Paint the walls and ceilings white. The floor should not be slippery, even with a little sawdust.
Having work tables on wheels makes for a more flexible shop in a small space. Fire proof waste cans for finishing areas are a good idea, too. And a fire extinguisher at each exit. Outlets everywhere so there are no cords on the floor to trip over. If there will be a table saw, running the power in the floor would be really nice.
Are you networked with any other senior center staff who might be able to provide some photos of successful shops?
thanks for your response, we're not networked with any other shops do you know of any i could contact and get some ideas? thanks.
Hi Acorn I'm a firm believer in a good application of paste wax for keeping rust away from my tools and machines. I start the cleaning process with WD-40 and 120 wet/dry sandpaper. Sand north-south then east-west then the diagonals. (some people prefer scotch-brite on a r-o-s). Wipe clean with denatured alcohol ... or, if you like heavy duty fumes, laquer thinner. Paste wax (Johnsons or Butchers) is rubbed in with a scotchbrite pad or some steel wool. Let it set up for an hour or so then buff with a clean cotton rag. Wait an hour and repeat the waxing step a second time. Once every 2 to 3 weeks, just apply one coat of wax. It works great on all my steel surfaces.
Second question... For senior center workshop, try to get a bunch of high stools with padded seats. Make sure you can sit and work. Plenty of light as suggested, and ceiling mounted power reel/cords so you don't trip over extension cords. (Local fire inspector loves the reels as there is no tripping hazard, also you don't tend to leave tools plugged in all the time). Plenty of shelf or cabinet storage for projects-in progress. One good grinder to sharpen tools is a good idea. Don't forget to add a sink for washing up to your wish list. If you're in a warmer area, fans/AC to keep the shop.
comfortable. SawdustSteve
I suggest you talk to vocational education woodshop teachers, particularly those who deal with adult education.
Regarding rust, poor air circulation is one of the bigeest contributors to rust on tools. Dehumitifiers and circulating fans are cheap and eeffective.
Doug
thanks for the response Doug, my shop is approx 15'X30' wood frame building, non insulated. thinking of putting an exhaust fan in and running it constantly during the summer months. thinking that might help?!
acorn,
The dehumidifier is the answer. I had severe rust issues last summer due to torrential rains. This year has been the same but I've stopped the rusting by running a dehumidifier and emptying the 1.5 gal container every day. I'm in Richmond VA.
Kell
Thanks Kell, my problem though is my shop it's a wood frame building non insulated. afraid the cost for a dehumidifier would break the bank. think i my try putting in a ventilation fan and running it during the humid months.
My shop is a wood frame built on a concrete slab that just wicks the moisture out of the ground. I've built a wood floor on sleepers but needed the dehum to kill the ambient moisture. I have insulated mine though. I bought a cheap dehum at Costco for around $100 and it made all the difference.
Good luck!
Kell
I seem to have a similar design problem emerging.
I am about to buy a new house, and the one currently under consideration does not have a shed or garage.
I live in a high (1500m) dry(800mm) part of the country where the mean temp range is -3 to 30C.
I am trying work out the cost-benefit of lined colourbond (Steel) or brick for the new shed if we go ahead with the sale. SWMBO has allowed a double gargage in the plan for a workshop (6*6m?). My criteria are working comfort, tool storage, and timber movement (I have had some really seroius problems with seasonal movement during construction a few years ago to the extent that I tend to finish furniture in the dining room - this might be why I have approval for a large shed)
I also have no experience with issues such as dust collection (current shed has roller doors at front and back and pretty good winds so I have just opened the doors when using the router, lathe, or bandsaw which is the only machienery I own. Moving in to the suburbs might change the requirement?)
Is the Landis book a good source?
Any suggestions?
Patto,
I'd absolutely recommend dust collection for any number of reasons not the least of which is your health. It makes clean up a lot easier, too.
I haven't read the Landis book but based on his others that I have read, it's probably a good resource. My recommendations would be to build a structure that is as weathertight and insulated as the house in which you live. This will provide you with comfort in building, quality in construction (more stable materials and conditions) and improved finishing capabilities. Quality begets quality, IMHO.
Good luck!
Kell
My shop is a wood frame built on a concrete slab that just wicks the moisture out of the ground.
Mine too. I'd recommend a vapor barrier under the slab, despite the whining the concrete sub will do about it. ;)
I will paint mine with epoxy paint eventually. 'looks like it won't happen this summer as I had hoped.
Do those of you with above ground shops in humid climates regularly use dehumidifiers?
Do you run them even when the windows are open, or only when the shop is closed up?
If the windows are open, running a dehumidifier will be kind of like trying to bail out the ocean...more moist air will just keep rolling in the window. You need to keep the building closed up for the dehumidifier to do any good.
That's what I thought. Dumb question.
And keep the air circulatiing.
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