Welcome to my (less) humble abode.

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Well I finally can take a minute or two and show off the new place. yeah I know it's not a welding project, really, but it's where they'll get done, so......quityerbitchin'The inside's pretty well set up, except for my offices, which are awaiting carpet cleaning and a repaint from my landlord.Outside, well that's another story. I've begun to cut  brush, and am (not so) patiently awaiting some dry weather to see what's to be done with the nice mud pit outside the bay doors. It's probably a good thing my CJ5 is out of commission for a while. That mud pit might just be too much temptation, and I'm sure tearing it up with the 35" mud terrains wouldn't really help much.Ok, here goes. Sorry about the crappy cell phone pics, but I haven't had a chance to get a point and shoot camera yet, and my wife (wisely) doesn't really like me taking her DSLR to work.Mine, all mine! Well not all of it. I get the entire area out side that you see here, but inside I only get about 2/3 of the space. My shop space is 34'w x 35'deep x 22'h to the peak. I get all the office space, which is a 12' x 14' lobby/break room down stairs and (2) 12' x 14' offices upstairs. There's also a full bath that shared.It's really too much office for my needs, so the back office upstairs is going to be a rumpus/craft/hangout room for my wife and youngins. I'm really looking forward to them being able to spend time here. It ought to help ease my conscience about having to work so much.  This is taken from my office overlooking the shop floor. I get all you see to the plywood wall. Behind the wall is the owner's micro machine shop. To give you a size reference both tables are 4' x 10'This shot is taken with the plywood wall behind me looking towards the bay doors. (The big-azz bay doors, 12'w x 14'h)This is my main cutting station with one roller table inside.This is looking through the bay door to the outside roller table that lines up with the cutting station. For now I have to raise the door to cut, soon I'll move the door lock and make a removable panel in the door so I can load steel onto the outside roller then push it through the door without having to open it.More coming right up, give me a minute.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:ContinuedHere's the outside roller table. I still have (barely) enough room to get a full size pick up in this door if the need arises.Standing next to the cutting station looking along the wall towards the main layout table.Equipment from near to far is: belt sander, grinder stand, drill press, O/A rig, shop press, big azz ladder with no other good spot to store, roll around cabinet I use to store jig/fixture parts, air compressor. One day I'll put the compressor in a lean to shed behind the building.This is my new best friend. There's a short wide flange beam fixed to the main frame with a Yale 2 ton hoist on a trolley, with a 1/4 ton electric hoist hanging off it. If I need to lift something uber heavy I just winch down the electric hoist and use the Yale. I have it lined up near the end of my main layout table so I can use it to load heavy stuff onto the table.Here's my (2) 4' by 10' layout tables. Behind them is the tool wall and slanted counter that'll be where shop drawing go.This is my main table it's got a 3/8" top which is plenty for most anything I do, the dark blob under it is my home made 5', 16g (Hossfeld hydraulic powered) brake. It bolts on the table when in use.Hang on a sec, still more to come.Last edited by app-ironworksllc; 03-15-2011 at 04:14 PM.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Here your looking at the interior wall of the office spaces. My office will be the one with the window over the shop floor. I told a friend that it'll be great to be able to yell down to the help and tell them to quit f-in' around and get to work. He suggest I put some expanded metal over it to protect me from whatever will get thrown at me in response. My steel rack will stay here till I get a lean to shed and some chain link up so I can put it outside under cover. When I get that took care of I'll build some HD shelving to free up some floor space.Close up of the steel rack.I even get to set up and use the almost new 150k btu lp furnace. Yay, no more having to listen to the kerosene salamander when I try to get warm. Not to mention this ought to be a good bit cheaper to run than the k-1 salamander.The Hossfeld #2 and it's mongoloid table (with 2" thick top) fit's nicely between the bay doors, leaving plenty of room to bend long stuff.The lobby/break room, which is currently serving as my office space (when the REAL boss lets me) till the upstairs offices are done.Almost done...Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Really nice digs - I like all the space and work tables.  Looks as though you will be having a lot of fun there - especially with space for your family.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:real nice setup Brian, should work out real well for you! just how cold does it get down there? thinking of moving down there,. from Ct, in a few years. Especially after this winter                                                                                                Bob
Reply:Here's my mud pit.I know it doesn't look too bad, but I can't get the forklift out in this muck to unload a steel truck.As soon as it dries up some I'll move some dirt around to get rid of the low spots then get a few loads of road bond laid down. there's actually better than a foot of gravel already below the several inches of mud. This area used to see a lot of traffic back when the county owned this place it was the repair shop for the two old (now closed) landfills, one across the road and one  up the hill behind it. The subsequent owners/renters rarely used this area and the mud is really erosion from the adjacent property.Here's where the brush cutting is going on. After it's a cleared out I'll have an alley the length of the building (60') that's about 25' wide at the near end and about 12' wide at the far end. this is where I'll do the lean to shed roof. I'll use the chain link gates from the parking lot to close it off so I can put my steel rack, trailers and misc crap out of my way.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyReally nice digs - I like all the space and work tables.  Looks as though you will be having a lot of fun there - especially with space for your family.
Reply:Great usable place.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Looks great man. If you are anything like me you always have it running in the back of your mind how you can make changes here and there to make it more efficient. I like the fact it looks like a real working shop. I dont trust hospital like clean workshops. Btw where is the forge?
Reply:yeah i really missed yor posts, some really great work you turn out. knew you were gettin  the new shop ready & looked forward to seein the progress. not to get off the topic but we are just tired of ct, winters, TAXES!!! would really like to keep some of OUR MONEY!!!! we are kinda partial to S.C. several friends have already moved to aiken & myrtle beach but I would like to check out N.C. as well. weathers gettin better here to 39 today maybe 59 friday still alot of the white stuff here even after 7" of rain the last couple of weeks. anyway gettin back to the thread,  good luck to you in your new shop & keep the pics coming really appreciate your craftsmanship                                        Bob
Reply:Very nice. I wish I had a space like that..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by larpheadLooks great man. If you are anything like me you always have it running in the back of your mind how you can make changes here and there to make it more efficient. I like the fact it looks like a real working shop. I dont trust hospital like clean workshops. Btw where is the forge?
Reply:im jealous.. also like that rotary dial phone.
Reply:Thanks for sharing. I spent a lot of time in Marshall when I was a bit younger. My dad's family is from there. He used to say Marshall is "a mile high, a mile long and hell deep". He's buried in the cemetary up on Skyway Dr. I love that area.
Reply:Originally Posted by oneeyedmacThanks for sharing. I spent a lot of time in Marshall when I was a bit younger. My dad's family is from there. He used to say Marshall is "a mile high, a mile long and hell deep". He's buried in the cemetary up on Skyway Dr. I love that area.
Reply:Very Nice, I wish you the best of luck with it.  I would love to have a shop like that just back in the mountain away from people.Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Originally Posted by app-ironworksllcYou really are from here. That's not the 1st time I've heard that said. I used to work for a guy who lived on Skyway, and I used to rent a house down below it on Hardwick Branch.Saaaalute!
Reply:nice. this site needs a shop and garage thead
Reply:Originally Posted by oneeyedmacMy great grandmother was Clara Hardwick and my family owned the house on Main Street next to First Union bank from 1904 to 2004 or so. I lost my eye in that house. If you happen to find it send it to me.....I actually never lived in Marhsall, my dad and his people did. I'd like to live there though, I've always liked it and it's a stunning part of the country. The only one of us left in Marshall now is my uncle who lives in the old home place up on Redmond Rd.
Reply:Originally Posted by ed macnice. this site needs a shop and garage thead
Reply:I don't know that the house was ever a hospital. It was the Col Larry Allen house that supplies were stolen from during the Civil War that precipitated the Little Pine Massacre then my family bought it from him. I think the first one of my family to own it was Judge Pender McElroy, then my great Aunt Aggie had it until she died and then we kept it for a few years and sold it. It's a neat house with a huge two story front porch. My Grandfather was Dr McElroy and if I remember correctly he died in 1981 or so. Good folks in that area.Nothing wrong with the money "alternative" people bring to town, that's for sure. In my experience their money is green and spends just fine. I don't really care what folks do with the door shut as long as it's consenting adults and legal.My wife and I have fooled with the idea of relocating to that area or maybe Hot Springs.
Reply:Originally Posted by oneeyedmacI don't know that the house was ever a hospital. It was the Col Larry Allen house that supplies were stolen from during the Civil War that precipitated the Little Pine Massacre then my family bought it from him. I think the first one of my family to own it was Judge Pender McElroy, then my great Aunt Aggie had it until she died and then we kept it for a few years and sold it. It's a neat house with a huge two story front porch. My Grandfather was Dr McElroy and if I remember correctly he died in 1981 or so. Good folks in that area.Nothing wrong with the money "alternative" people bring to town, that's for sure. In my experience their money is green and spends just fine. I don't really care what folks do with the door shut as long as it's consenting adults and legal.My wife and I have fooled with the idea of relocating to that area or maybe Hot Springs.
Reply:Will do. I'm actually way overdue to visit my pop up on that hill.
Reply:May I suggest you clear enough brush from around your fine shop to give you a good chance to fight a fire if one should come your way.Enjoy your shop in good health.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by nadogailMay I suggest you clear enough brush from around your fine shop to give you a good chance to fight a fire if one should come your way.Enjoy your shop in good health.It will never end.  The same rain that makes the woods gren brings grass to later dry into tinder.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:That's a great space Brian, congrat's!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Brian, thats a real nice shop, and your work is impecable! I hope you do well and are able to purchase the place. Next time I am up in the Boone area, I will have to swing down and visit the Marshall area. I love all of the Western NC areas.
Reply:Sweet, I am glad you got squared away with a place. I know how good it feels! Years of great times to be had in there. Good luck!You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
Reply:Nice shop!i like the 2 story office space on the side, im storing up ideas and planning on building my shop/first home.....your building has definatly caught my eyeyou wouldnt have a ballpark for construction costs would you? materials, labor, etc...
Reply:Have you built and paying jobs out of your new shop yet? Whether is a new tool or a new shop, the first few customers/projects sure get extra good work out of me since I'm soo extra excited about work.
Reply:Originally Posted by jreynoldsweldingSweet, I am glad you got squared away with a place. I know how good it feels! Years of great times to be had in there. Good luck!