I would encourage you to think more about your projects and workflow - and specifically about ceiling heights. ? Metalworking can mean lots of things, but if you are planning on doing welding and fabrication work, material handling might dictate the need for some kind of gantry crane. ? Also consider getting the equipment into and out of your shop, and if you plan to upgrade or reposition heavy equipment, being at ground level could be important. ? A decent mill will be 2500 pounds and a lathe isn¡¯t much different. ? My shop is in my basement, and getting equipment and materials in to build kitchens and finished cabinets out is always a struggle. ? Also, ceiling height has restricted what equipment I would normally have if I didn¡¯t have constraints (I would already have a Haas VMC if I could get it into the space). ?
In my experience, woodworking and machining metal on a mill or lathe can co-exist in the same space if you are disciplined about cleanup and chip control, although oiled ways on a lathe or mill are a magnet for stray sawdust. ? OTOH, grinding on metal for weld prep or cleanup, or a surface grinder without flood coolant produces a mixture of abrasive grit that gets everywhere and should be confined to a separate space away from the other activity. ? Spraying finish is a whole other kettle of fish, and if you plan to spray, you need some method to control overspray and evacuate to the outside.
David Best
https://www.instagram.com/davidpbest/
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On Jul 28, 2020, at 5:30 PM, Anthony Quesada <
tonymiga2@...> wrote:
Thank you everyone for the continued help. ?Next question is aimed particularly at those with metal shop experience.... Mac, Brian L, David Best and numerous others that I look forward to meeting.?
Quick recap (location-Maine):
- Two-story addition- ?"T-shaped" building tying into an existing 2 story barn
- 1st Floor-?flat ceilings with roughly 10' clearance floor to ceiling
- 2nd Floor-Vaulted ceiling with low 7' clearance where wall meets pitched roof, but quickly more head height as you move away from the walls.
- Built on hill side with easy drive up access to both floors (House is on down hill side so slightly harder to get to 2nd level)
- Currently require more sq/ft for wood working than metal working, but I have only started metal working a few years ago and it is a growing interest
- Currently 60/40 time spent on wood vs metal
-Discounting any fireproofing or structural load issues and considering the following, would you want metal or wood shop on first floor?
1st Floor- 10' ceilings?
Positives:
- Slightly more convenient access from house
- Wall space to hang tools and store lumber or metal
Negatives:
- Less windows and natural light (built into hill side)
- Less volumous feel
2nd floor- Vaulted ceilings 16'+ at ridge
Positives:
- Better view
- Opportunity for nice natural light with large windows at gable ends
- Open and airy feel in middle of the room?
Negatives of 2nd Floor:
- Limited (height) wall space due to short side walls where pitched roof meets walls
- Warmer during summer months and probably harder to heat in winter?
Thanks so much
Anthony?
These are pictures of existing barn. This was made with reclaimed wood from a mill we renovated, so I won't regrettably have access to these old timbers again, but will likely use glue-lam or similar
<IMG_8474.jpg><IMG_8473.jpg>
David P. Best