Re-starting after a number off years

Hi All, blame this thread on Allan, with the beginners tale thread,

I started model engineering about 18 years ago, after building a couple of wooden plank on plank ships. Started setting up workshop, purchased lathe and milling machine, at this time started a new job, ( Stress level through the roof) spent more time done in workshop trying to keep rust of the tools, did very little.

promised my son I would build him a cannon, think he was about 7 told him as a joke it would be done by the time he was 21, he is now 22 about to be come 23 cannon no where to be seen, possible start another thread like Allan on the biuld.

In-between time got further promotion, more stress, purchased a plot of land, took 3and a bit years to build my own house, worked night weekend and holidays but it is completed now, well the garden still to be done.

however started to set up a workshop in the garage, see photos. Mill heavy so I have constructed a frame within the kitchen units. The drawer tool chest is only there I always wanted one .

Hi Jim,

That's a fine job you've done on the house. Not sure about the workshop though. Way too neat and tidy. You couldn't possibly work in there. Time you got a bit of swarf on the floor.

Seriously, I hope you enjoy many happy evenings in there.

John

Hi Jim,

nice house, like the solar panels on the roof. The workshop looks like a place you could enjoy for a long time. I wouldn't worry about the workshop being too neat and tidy, swarf etc. will be there soon enough.

Thor

I thought at first that you furnished workshop in the kitchen when I looked at your photos.

Hi the kitchen units worked out the cheapest, just did some reinforcement with 3x2 timber left over from the house, good thing about it was able to claim my vat back so a further 20% off. No work done as last summer working in the garden, winter completing some cupboards ect in the house, last few week started opening boxes for the workshop and started to place lathe and mill.

i found one of the hardest things is getting started, this is where this forum has been good, I found a set of v clamp castings in a box think this will be my first project, also found a set of casting for a engine can't even remember buying them, may have to photo them post them here to see what they are.

also get tha cannon constructed.

Hi Jim

The house looks very nice and your workshop looks like it has lots of nice clean space - just how I like it!

Mine is in a garage too, but a wooden one, although it is lined and with a raised concrete floor - it seems to stay very dry, even with a stream running along side it which attracts the damp air. The floor though is a bit of a problem as it creates lots of concrete dust. Old carpeting is not an option as it's impossible to keep the metal fragments at bay - the dog likes to wander around.. I try to keep everything covered in oil (3 in 1 spray) and I must admit WD40 (as its cheaper) to prevent rusting - I know it has or seems to have a bad name and is disliked by many but I've never had any problem using it..

We think we have another house move left in us yet but a few years off I think, probably be the last one. I've already started to drop hints to my wife that an indoor workshop would be very nice, in fact Its getting higher on my priority list! The older I get the more off putting and worse the winter seems...

Look forward to seeing the workshop progress and also your first project using it...

Cheers

Allan.

Thanks Allan, I painted the garage floor with floor paint make a big difference in the dust, I am lucky has the heating system is in the garage, and I installed a radiator in here, rest of house is underfloor heating but the radiator at low temp is fine, no rust issues at all.

starting to get all tools ect out of storage half the thing I can not remember having, I am like a kid in a sweet shop, found some of my grandfathers tools, must be coming up to 75 to 100 years old. Getting nothing done but organising the work shop, before the garden starts again. Never mind it is all good fun

Nice house Jim, I'm refurbishing a bathroom right now having done a kitchen... the challenge of doing it all from scratch seems huge!

A lovely big workshop ready to mess up, as others have noticed. let's see some swarf soon

Neil