Shop Setup

If I had to choose between the shop or the corral, I'd choose the shop. Work in the corral is exhilarating, but the creativity in the shop can't be beat. Over the years, I've set up many shops. Here's another notch on the gun. 

Thankfully, the SJB rectory has about a 24'x24' two stall garage. My pickup will fit in one side, so the other side we turned into a working bay. 

Once Fr. Jim left this summer, we were able move all the random stuff that needs to be unpacked to the other side. 

After the dismantling of 60 years of shelves and things, we were down to bear bone studs. There's good character in this old building. 

Then, on a trip back home, I brought over all my big shop tools. 

Note to self, twine is not strong enough to keep top-heavy objects from tossing and turning on the bumps between Tensleep and Worland. Fortunately, no casualties. 

Once rearranged, we hauled the tools in the shop. 

And ran 220 over from the house.

And around to each piece of equipment. 

This is one of my golden oldies. Built in 1968, she has stood the test of time and is still going strong. 

I picked her up in probably 2000. Sitting outside an old tire shop in Helena Montana, I asked if they wanted to sell it. Sure did. The only thing wrong was an o-ring on the valve unloaders, which made it leak air all the time. Dad and I had her fixed in no time. 

This drill press I got at Jake Scheuerman’s farm sale off of Tie-down road in 2001. It is 3-phase, so I have to run a converter. 

I also bought all their drill bits. Fun press. 

My brother bought me this plasma cutter when I graduated seminary. Sure is slick to have around. 

When I worked for my uncle he would give me a tool expense bonus each month. When I saved up enough, I bought this Millermatic in 2000ish. 

A bench grinder, chop saw, and cutting torch, are standard issue in any working shop. 

A good bench is necessary too. This also works well to keep the wood working tools out of the way. 

And, of course, a tool chest. This diesel burning space heater should knock the edge off the cold once winter really sets in. 

I've packed this exhaust fan to three different locations now. Handy to have around and fit nice in the sliding window of the garage. 

My welding table always takes the most work to set up. Dad got it for me at when an oil field company he was working for downsized. Made out of drill stem sunk into the concrete. Solid table. 

The idea is to bed this collar into the floor. 

So I rented a concrete saw to make a clean cut. 

It wasn't easy, but we got it broke out of there. 

And dug out the dirt. 

Then screwed the collar on and tamped it into the dirt.

Before we mixed up the concrete, we welded some tabs on the collar for reenforcement and leveled out the table top. 

Solid. I've got the vice mounted to a receiver tube that I can stow out of the way when not in need. We also hung a 110 outlet above it to easily run a grinder. 

If the whole table is in the way, you can just screw it out. 

We had to see if this dog would hunt, so we took on a windmill project for Mike and Sue Herth. 

It had been doctored up before, so we ground things down to good metal. 

And fired the blue boss up.

And laid down some good hot beads. 

Hit all the of the blades while we were at it. That Wyoming wind is nothing to tangle with. 

Mom always taught me, a job worth doing is a job worth doing right!

I think she'll work. 

Bring it. 

Not only do I like shops, but I prefer small shops. I find it fun to work in tight knit spaces. When you're set up like this, the sky's the limit on what can be accomplished. My main projects this winter are gates. Probably a dozen or so to build. The beauty of a shop and my duties as a pastor, is when I get a free hour or two, I can come weld. Do that over enough time, and you get a project completed. Let's ranch.