Don't know if you will ever read this comment John, but I am just sitting here in the early morning planning out my new works shop to be built next year and came across this older video(I think I saw it when it first came out). The timing is just amazing. As always thanks for the video even the older ones and see you in the future.
Besides my lights, my shop is fairly non - electric. I had the plan of setting up my shop to model a late 1800s early 1900s blacksmith shop. Learning the traditional blacksmithing techniques so if i lose power i wouldnt miss out due to no electric.
I'm in an Ozark trail pop up canopy lol. Got 3 walls, and 8x10 work space. It's enough for now. I'm in this for the long haul so yeah. Nice vid. Most of my inquiries involve the craft itself so stuff like this is just fun to watch and use for backgrounds noises. Thanks to my grandpa and all he had to teach me, eventually I'll be able to build most of my work environment when I finish saving up. Again, thanks for all the vids. A comment can't show enough gratitude. 🍻
Just coming back to this old video and saw your comment. How's things going two years later? A lot can change in two years. Hope you're still at it bud.
Hi John! I’ve watched a couple hundred of your videos over the last three years and I love them! I really appreciate your positive upbeat helpful attitude. You’re very much appreciated 🙏🏼💚⚒️
Your shop is really quite amazing! I work in a shop that's 12x24. I have found that by having tools, tables, forge, smelter, welder, oxy-act, grinders, etc... all on wheels, it makes the shop much more versatile. When I'm finished for the day it all rolls out of the way. Thanks for the video...
Nice trip through work space John, I luckily do not have the climate considerations you have so if its under a roof its all good. That roof gets bigger and bigger every few years, my wife is always losing or moving gardens, not too cranky yet but I have to control my land grab!
Older video, I know....but I've been looking for hacks for my new 180 square foot shop. My old shop was 8 x 12 as well so this was very helpful. Great video.
Another video with great information and things for me to think about especially since I am in the process of re-organizing my shop (40' X 12'). My "Shop" was a boat carport the previous home owner had with a dirt floor (I actually prefer) and no walls which I am in the process of putting up as well.
Thank you for all your input. Before in my time we had shop class now adays these kids can't build anything., becuase there are no more good teachers or educators. Keep up the good work.!😁
Jose Avelar I don’t think the problem is in lack of good teaches or educators, all though policy’s are pushing them out. It is admins, politicians and parents that are causing teachers to leave.
Unlike some folks, neither of my parents did any sort of manual work, or crafts, or even repairs. I was interested in woodworking and took shop in high school. It was extremely tedious, the teacher was more interested in fraternizing with his students than teaching anything, and I think I got a B on my crappily assembled napkin holder. I am 50 and just started metalworking. That early experience with “shop class” turned me away from working with my hands for a tragically long time.
Great advice. I have several benches at different heights that i plan to trim to get the benefits you have there. I also like the 45deg vise idea. I am arriving at that from a different angle via having a swivel vise. The angle really does help improve access ... even for like tig welding it is great.
Thanks John, reinforces my experience with levels and access. Currently building new coke forge and will make sure it's same height as anvil face (on it's new block).
Great ideas for a small shop. I'm in the starting phase of building my new shop and yes, it will be small to start out with. So...these are great videos with very pertinent information. I was actually thinking about your butcher/spring tool the other night. I also concluded that a better way to make it would be to do a couple of mortise and tenon joints and rivet the whole thing together, unless you just don't mind arc or mig welding the whole thing together.
In most cases I don't mind the mig welds on tools like this. But since not everyone has that ability and since we know our predecessors managed without. I am trying to do as much as I can for the videos without going that direction.
There isn't a lot to worry about. Making sure the forge isn't against a wooden wall and making sure there are never hot cut offs near the base of the walls. Most old shops seem to be wooden. Fires are generally a result of carelessness and can destroy even stone or brick structures. I also keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
Black Bear Forge thank you for the answer sir. I didn’t know if you waited a certain amount of time after shut down the forges or last time using power hammers or using the anvil. When we do maintenance in plants we of course have to have a hot work permit for cutting welding or grinding. We have to have a fire watch after we are done for at least 30 min. Thanks again John.
Lots of good information in here, love it! You mentioned a couple of times that having a vice mounted on a post would be ideal - how large a shop would you need for that to be possible without it being in the way, a traffic hazard?
Not hard to have a post vice that isn't in the way. I installed common 2" receiver tubes (trailer hitch sized) in the floor and into the benches in the shop. Mount a tool to a chunk of tubing or solid stock, set it in place and you're ready to work. Most are stored out of the way on a modified tool cart.
Is you floor just a dirt floor? Im looking at building a workshop and dont know whether to build a building in my back yard with a dirt floor or a gravel floor or a wooden floor. I suppose concrete is best expensive. I dont want to spend a ton on the building.
always amazes me, the amount of useful info in your head. just many years of experience, i'm sure.
I'm always amazed at all of the useless info in my head 😜
Don't know if you will ever read this comment John, but I am just sitting here in the early morning planning out my new works shop to be built next year and came across this older video(I think I saw it when it first came out). The timing is just amazing. As always thanks for the video even the older ones and see you in the future.
Have fun with the new shop
Besides my lights, my shop is fairly non - electric. I had the plan of setting up my shop to model a late 1800s early 1900s blacksmith shop. Learning the traditional blacksmithing techniques so if i lose power i wouldnt miss out due to no electric.
I'm in an Ozark trail pop up canopy lol. Got 3 walls, and 8x10 work space. It's enough for now. I'm in this for the long haul so yeah. Nice vid.
Most of my inquiries involve the craft itself so stuff like this is just fun to watch and use for backgrounds noises. Thanks to my grandpa and all he had to teach me, eventually I'll be able to build most of my work environment when I finish saving up. Again, thanks for all the vids. A comment can't show enough gratitude. 🍻
Just coming back to this old video and saw your comment.
How's things going two years later? A lot can change in two years. Hope you're still at it bud.
Very nice and comprehensive videos
Hi Black Bear Forge - Your Video Small Shop Hacks, Tricks And Ideas - Blacksmith, Very Suitable To Be Applied In My Home...
Hi John! I’ve watched a couple hundred of your videos over the last three years and I love them! I really appreciate your positive upbeat helpful attitude. You’re very much appreciated 🙏🏼💚⚒️
Glad you like them!
Just saw this video. Thank you sir. Gave me some good ideas for my small shop.
I like that circular vise access idea
Thank you for this. Just in the process of setting up my first shop.
Best of luck!
Great video for me. I have about 2/3's of a 1 car garage for my shop.
Someone working on small stuff should have a small shop, like a kitchen, keeping the work triangle small for ease, efficiency, and speed.
Your shop is really quite amazing!
I work in a shop that's 12x24. I have found that by having tools, tables, forge, smelter, welder, oxy-act, grinders, etc... all on wheels, it makes the shop much more versatile. When I'm finished for the day it all rolls out of the way.
Thanks for the video...
Wheels are great on many tools. But don't work so well for vises, anvils and power hammers.
Black Bear Forge
That's true.. some things need a solid mount!
Great tips. I'm looking to start my journey in a few months once I get into my new place.
great information John! gives me a lot to think about
Glad to help
Nice trip through work space John, I luckily do not have the climate considerations you have so if its under a roof its all good. That roof gets bigger and bigger every few years, my wife is always losing or moving gardens, not too cranky yet but I have to control my land grab!
Older video, I know....but I've been looking for hacks for my new 180 square foot shop. My old shop was 8 x 12 as well so this was very helpful. Great video.
Another video with great information and things for me to think about especially since I am in the process of re-organizing my shop (40' X 12'). My "Shop" was a boat carport the previous home owner had with a dirt floor (I actually prefer) and no walls which I am in the process of putting up as well.
Good video, almost finished with wife's green house and a dedicated shop for smithing is next. This video really helped with what size to make it.
Great setup tips. Thanks John.
Thanks again for the videos. I'd love to see a video on those heavy duty hinges and hasps you have on the bench.
I am sure we will be doing lots of videos on hardware as time goes on.
All are good things to know ,
Really liked the wall opening , as an aide to compensate for smaller floor space !
Great video. I love to see other people shops and how things are arranged and I'm setting mine up so gives me a lot of good ideas. thank you. Galen
Thank you for all your input. Before in my time we had shop class now adays these kids can't build anything., becuase there are no more good teachers or educators. Keep up the good work.!😁
Jose Avelar I don’t think the problem is in lack of good teaches or educators, all though policy’s are pushing them out. It is admins, politicians and parents that are causing teachers to leave.
Unlike some folks, neither of my parents did any sort of manual work, or crafts, or even repairs. I was interested in woodworking and took shop in high school. It was extremely tedious, the teacher was more interested in fraternizing with his students than teaching anything, and I think I got a B on my crappily assembled napkin holder. I am 50 and just started metalworking. That early experience with “shop class” turned me away from working with my hands for a tragically long time.
I don’t think it is fair or okay to say that kids can’t build anything now days.
Great advice. I have several benches at different heights that i plan to trim to get the benefits you have there.
I also like the 45deg vise idea. I am arriving at that from a different angle via having a swivel vise. The angle really does help improve access ... even for like tig welding it is great.
I know this is a year old but this is great. I just built an 8x12 for my first shop and this helps a lot
Glad it helped
All Good Stuff!
I will come back to this video later. Great idea for a rarely discussed tip!
Thanks John, reinforces my experience with levels and access. Currently building new coke forge and will make sure it's same height as anvil face (on it's new block).
Very good video! Thanks!
I actually use a lightweight chain from the ceiling to hold long bars.
Excellent video! Thank you!
Thank you for tour-sharing your workshop :)
Thanks, very helpful video.
Fantastic video really useful.
Glad it was helpful!
@@BlackBearForge invaluable thank you.
Keep up the great work! I really enjoy your videos!
Thanks!
Im sure all this info comes from strictly doing what you do. Respect for sharing tis with us.
Thanks for the advice!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much!
Great ideas for a small shop. I'm in the starting phase of building my new shop and yes, it will be small to start out with. So...these are great videos with very pertinent information. I was actually thinking about your butcher/spring tool the other night. I also concluded that a better way to make it would be to do a couple of mortise and tenon joints and rivet the whole thing together, unless you just don't mind arc or mig welding the whole thing together.
In most cases I don't mind the mig welds on tools like this. But since not everyone has that ability and since we know our predecessors managed without. I am trying to do as much as I can for the videos without going that direction.
Totally agree. I really enjoy seeing "old school" methods of making the tools we enjoy using today.
Great
Great video
Good video. Thanks
Cool video
My shop is 4x3, so I can use this info very well, thank you. But.... Gargoyle,we will never see him again😭, 😉.
I am sure he will come out and visit.
I have a 12x12 shop
As you were/are a firefighter what precautions do you take with having a wooden framed blacksmith shop. Great video and great tips. Thanks John.
There isn't a lot to worry about. Making sure the forge isn't against a wooden wall and making sure there are never hot cut offs near the base of the walls. Most old shops seem to be wooden. Fires are generally a result of carelessness and can destroy even stone or brick structures. I also keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
Black Bear Forge thank you for the answer sir. I didn’t know if you waited a certain amount of time after shut down the forges or last time using power hammers or using the anvil. When we do maintenance in plants we of course have to have a hot work permit for cutting welding or grinding. We have to have a fire watch after we are done for at least 30 min. Thanks again John.
At our blacksmith guild shop, we have a minimum cool down time before we go home for the night.
I work in a 12"x6 shop that was a garden shed just check out profile
I work in a super small shop, 8x8. My forge lives outside and the rest lives inside.
Hey man -- at least you have a shop! ;-)
@@jrocks1971 hah, thats right. This didnt age well, though. I have a 8x12 shop now with my forge inside.
Probably i have the smallest shop in the world. Mine is 4X5 meters -+.
However. It is possible if you have any system for shop organisation
What direction does the horn sit for a right handed person?
ruclips.net/video/y1TVeZ_MSW0/видео.html
Lots of good information in here, love it! You mentioned a couple of times that having a vice mounted on a post would be ideal - how large a shop would you need for that to be possible without it being in the way, a traffic hazard?
For my shop and everything in it another 2 or 3 feet would work. But it really depends on what else you need to fit in the shop.
Not hard to have a post vice that isn't in the way. I installed common 2" receiver tubes (trailer hitch sized) in the floor and into the benches in the shop. Mount a tool to a chunk of tubing or solid stock, set it in place and you're ready to work. Most are stored out of the way on a modified tool cart.
Did you make the forge in your or did you buy? If you bought it what make and model?
Is you floor just a dirt floor? Im looking at building a workshop and dont know whether to build a building in my back yard with a dirt floor or a gravel floor or a wooden floor. I suppose concrete is best expensive. I dont want to spend a ton on the building.
Its mostly brick by the benches and then dirt at the anvil. dirt is much easier on the back and legs during a longs days work.
@@BlackBearForge i was considering a cinderblock building with dirt or rock floor. What are your thoughts?
So you recomend that forge isn't against the wall ?
Unless you have a completely non combustible wall.
@@BlackBearForge no it's wooden so how much from the wall should the chimney be since i have limited space
Greant