My prep lab is finally functional again!

[hadrosauridae]

ITS ALIVE AGAIN!

Although not 100% complete, I can finally get back to prepping. I started a remodel of my workshop 6 months ago. I gutted the inside, re-wired through a sub-panel, insulation, added proper ceiling lights, drywall, paint, flooring, trim, and built a new work table.
I still have a few more things to complete, and lots of cleanup, but I'm so glad to finally be able to start prep again.

 

Just FYI, this is as I started the remodel. That wiring mess at the top is why I had to redo all the wiring. Both to make adding the drywall possible, and to bring it up to code standards before burying it behind the drywall.

 

 

 

I REALLY don't like doing drywall.  It felt like it took the longest of the project.  Probably didnt help that I was doing it all alone, without all the fancy equipment to lift and hold the drywall sheets.  But taping and mudding was the worst.

 

Despite the pains, and flaws I can still see, I am happy with my result.

 

 

My old work bench was built onto the wall studs for strength, so after tearing it out, I had to build a new one.  I am happy with this design I found online.  I cut this one to be at table height instead of "work bench" height like the previous one.  I had to have a high shop stool to work at the old one, and then my feet didnt reach the foot pedals, so I had to mount them up on a box.  I eliminated those old problems, but now I have to get a new shop chair.  At least a normal height one will be perfect for this.

 

I re-located my air dryer setup to the other side of the shop, and added a new water trap based on the one @Ptychodus04 built in his shop.  I had planned to have it in another location, but that ended up not working, so now everything is in one group together.  I also upgraded all my hoses and fittings to 3/8 inch.  The old 1/4 inch fittings were choking the air flow by the time it got to my blaster.

 

I also upgraded my dust vac.  I used to use a cheap shop-vac, plumbed to exhaust outside.  This one is a HEPA filtered unit and moves  A LOT more air than my shop vac.

 

So its finally usable again.  I am still waiting on a package of air fittings to finish it, so for now, no air-scribe use. I just have the blaster plugged in.  The green hoses will go to the foot pedal to activate the air scribes (once the fittings arrive)

 

 

I still have a few thing left to build; A new base for the blaster to sit on (that doesnt look like its made from scrap).  Building a new secondary work bench, the current is an old, cheap and I've had it for decades but its not as sturdy as I want).  Building a set of cabinets for above my work table (may or may not get around to this).  Final building details like window sills, covering and painting the inside of the door, and lastly, installing a proper door handle and latch to my shop.  Its not a "shed" any longer, it shouldnt have a shed door handle.  

 

 

[TriVeratops]

that looks amazing (and a ton of work), congratulations!!!  happy prepping 

Edited 12 hours ago by TriVeratops

[RJB]

You did such a good job that maybe quit the prep business and go into remodling.   But really, thats a nice setup now.  Best of luck

 

RB

[Ptychodus04]

Wow @hadrosauridae that's some top notch work and a quality lab setup!

[trilobites_are_awesome]

Very nice setup!

I've been working on getting a better setup too!

[hadrosauridae]

9 hours ago, TriVeratops said:

that looks amazing (and a ton of work), congratulations!!!  happy prepping 

 

Thanks!

 

1 hour ago, RJB said:

You did such a good job that maybe quit the prep business and go into remodling.   But really, thats a nice setup now.  Best of luck

 

RB

Haha, not a chance.  I'm burned out on remodels.  We started remodelling the house almost a year ago, which took about 6 months.  When we finished that I started on the prep workshop. 

 

 

30 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said:

Wow @hadrosauridae that's some top notch work and a quality lab setup!

Thank you sir!  

 

 

23 minutes ago, trilobites_are_awesome said:

Very nice setup!

I've been working on getting a better setup too!

Thanks.  I think this is revision #5 or #6 for my shop.  Maybe now I'll be done for a while (not likely )

[trilobites_are_awesome]

10 minutes ago, hadrosauridae said:

Thanks.  I think this is revision #5 or #6 for my shop.  Maybe now I'll be done for a while (not likely )

Dang!

Yeah I still need to get equipment but I have been waiting to see if I can get Cheap used equipment!

[Jaybot]

Awesome setup man!  

[jpc]

wow... a two-tank Comco!!!

 

Not sure how big your shop is but something I have in mine that I really like is a large heavy duty table on wheels that can hold lots of fossils and be moved around when needed.  

[hadrosauridae]

1 hour ago, jpc said:

wow... a two-tank Comco!!!

 

Not sure how big your shop is but something I have in mine that I really like is a large heavy duty table on wheels that can hold lots of fossils and be moved around when needed.  

 

Its a 10x15 room, so with storage shelves and cabinet, there isnt room to really wheel anything around.  The wood-working supply shops do have a great lifting caster that would be perfect though.  You can wheel it where you need, then raise the caster and it sits on the table legs. If my shop was bigger, Id absolutely have that!