Now the woodshop move is complete, we can start work on expanding the metal workshop. We had some useful initial discussion here: https://bristolhackspace.discourse.group/t/metal-workshop-expansion-planning/3925 and the intent is to capture issues and decisions in this wiki

  1. Fill screw holes
  2. Paint floor
  3. Paint walls
  4. Identify if remaining objects left behind from woodshop move are junk or treasure
  5. Dispose of the above if junk

Constraints

  • Fire sensors: The metalshop currently has two, and if we keep the strip curtain, it needs to stay somewhere between these sensors. This does give us a little bit of play for moving the strip curtain up or down the room if desired.
  • Hotworks only insured for welding and griding.
  • Welding only within an arc-shielded environment.
  • Welding and grinding only within a non-flammable environment.
  • Welding needs ventilation so either next to the roller shutter or fit the large welding extractor we have in storage.
  • Old woodshop has the mezzanine supports which have Intumescent paint. Hotworks might damage the paint?
  • The welder needs a 16A supply which we have by the shutter (plus another in the old woodshop which was installed for the jointer).
  • Wall behind the current wooden metalshop bench has a removable lower panel for access to the laser room.
  • Duncan prefers to keep the door into his half of the building accessible.

Wishlist

  • Welding in an area where there is no chance anyone will accidentally enter. The current layout is not ideal.
  • Grinding should be available even when welding is being done
  • Lathe in a position where workpieces that protrude a long way out of the left side will not cause a hazzard
  • Group machines that are commonly used together
  • Separate dirty and/or noisy machines from cleaner/quieter machines
  • Workbenches in the centre of the room (following the woodshop layout)

Categories

Category Existing Planned
Cutting/machining/drilling Yes Yes
Welding Yes Yes Hotworks
Grinding Yes Yes Hotworks
Sand blasting Yes TBD
Paint shop No TBD Unlikely to fit in space.
CNC No Yes
Bicycle maintenance Yes Yes? Needs discussion
Vehicle maintenance No No Provide tools only. “Metalshop, not a garage”
Petrol-powered tool maintenance No? Yes? Strictly no fuel allowed inside the bulding

Possible New Equipment

All new equipment needs a proposal. Some of the suggestions may not be practicable.

  • Pillar drill + float-lock vise
  • Sheet metal bender
  • Induction heater and/or Electric kiln
  • Plasma cutter e.g. ArcDroid CNC plasma cutter
  • Water cutter
  • Induction forge + tempering setup
  • Heavy-duty metal fabrication workbench.
  • Standing belt sander to use with metal

Decisions

  • The metal CNC will be in the metalshop
  • We will move the lathe.

Questions

  • The area by the roller shutter is generally less warm tha other areas. Does this make it unsuitable for operations such as CNC which involves a lot of sitting and watching?
  • The roller shutter is the only entrance for large objects, but how large?

Floorplan

Several options. So far the only complete proposal is: https://bristolhackspace.discourse.group/t/metal-workshop-expansion-planning/3925/37

Other possibilities:

  1. Move the welding area to the far end of the old woodshop, making use of the extractor.
  • equipment/metalshop/expansion2026
  • Last modified: 8 days ago
  • by robert.simpson190