Shop Building & Machinery Improvements - Official Work Thread

[Bill Reidy]

What difference a week makes!  That floor looks terrific.

We are very fortunate to have several volunteers as dedicated as Fred. Without them, progress would be much slower.

Every visit I'm always amazed by what has gotten done since my last visit.  I wish I was half as productive as Fred and others.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Today:

* Zack re-installed the work bench (and vice) along the wall under the stairs. And built a shelf over it for the long wood bits.

* The bottom steps were rebuilt to fit the new floor.

* More things were removed from the old east wall and the south end of bay 3 was cleaned up a bit.

A number of visitors walked through the shop, admiring the new floor.  One even noted that we could have a barn dance with all the room.

[Paul Uhland]

Am amazed how much wider, and lighter, the middle bay area looks now, including the bay 1 pass-throughs; floor also looks smoooooother than before.
You guys should get what the Navy awards for outstanding performance, a big Excellence "E" as painted on a deserving ship.

So how big a band is booked in for the Fall Work Week/Shop Building Spruce-up/Washouts Fillup Barn Dance Cotillion?  Start's right...that new floor is just itching for a dance mob! 
Too bad Guy Lombardo passed. 

[Alex Harvilchuck]

Why not run a 2 (or 3) track box rail along the entire length of the wall between bay 2/3 and bay 1 (at least up to the stairs). Pick it up at your local Lowes, Home Depot or Tractor Supply - it is a regularly stocked item.

You could then put sliding doors on the track as movable partitions so you will be able to close the cutouts . This will support Mike's request to be able to isolate Bay 1 so it can be heated- move the doors and Bay 1 can be isolated with the movable partitions.

I do all of this in my cabinetry shop so I can segment off what I want to heat.

[Ira Schreiber]

I know every volunteer counts but Fred is the Poster Child.
Thanks to one and all.
Ira

[John Kokas]

Has anyone given any thought to Epoxy floor paint for the new section?  It makes it so much easier to clean up (especially oil and grease), and with an off-white, grey, or tan color will actually help with the interior lighting and brighten the bay up. 

[Dwight Winkley]

John. New floor already had two coats. See photo's above. Fred is standing on the coated concrete.

[John Kokas]

My understanding is that the two coats is concrete sealer.  That is way different than an industrial epoxy floor paint.  Please correct me if I'm wrong..........

[Dwight Winkley]

sealer

[Paul Uhland]

Yes, expensive epoxy floor paint would be a further improvement, but the multi-coats of sealer would have to be completely acid?removed after the concrete cures, with yet another  delay in area use. 
Think it best to use and enjoy the nice, new deck, maybe wipe thy feet and minimize  splats, smears and spills. 

Bet the next project will be a concrete floor in bay 1. 

Heating...what's the latest?

[John Kokas]

I would suggest a couple of free-standing coal stoves with gravity feeds.  Relatively cheap, easy to maintain, and if you want to get fancy there are those that have blower options (1000-2000) cfm for larger spaces.  Can be found online or a decent selection can be bought through tractor supply (TSC).  They have good stuff and are easy to deal with.  I use them all the time.

[Mike Fox]

No heat planned. We have some portable patio heaters that work great for taking the chill off

[Brendan Barry]

B&SR 67 was the first car back in the shop after the tracks were reconnected this weekend.

[Paul Uhland]

A perfect picture.

[Robert Hale]

What happens to the first person that gets the floor greasy or spills oil on it? Smokebox clean-out duty for a week?