Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Scottski on May 18, 2015, 07:57:32 pm

Title: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Scottski on May 18, 2015, 07:57:32 pm
Ok guys I need some help on building a new bow workshop. Cheaper is better lol. I would like to keep it under 3,000.00 $. How did you build yours or any plans are welcome. I don't have a good idea yet as to how I want to build one. I can't buy one and put it in the back yard cause I have a big fence up. So that is not an option. Would like to hear some ideas. Thanks.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Chief RID on May 19, 2015, 10:33:17 am
This should be a great thread. I would think lots of folks have dealt with this issue. I will be watching.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: osage outlaw on May 19, 2015, 10:58:56 am
My shop is part of my pole barn style garage.  I had them extend it 8' off the garage when it was built.  Its to small.  My dream is to one day build a shop about 24'x24'.  I have some ideas for it;  a wood stove for free heat, a vise securely mounted on a post in the floor for debarking staves, lots of outlets, and targets set in one corner to allow indoor shooting.

When you start building your shop take lots of pictures and keep us updated.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Eric Krewson on May 19, 2015, 01:01:34 pm
I understand the need for a shop, I worked in a 5X7 corner of the garage and out in the yard for years. When I moved to my current home in the country, one requirement was the land had to have room for a proper shop. I built a 28X30 with half for lawn and garden equipment, the other side is my bow shop. the whole shop cost me 19K 10 years ago.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/shopoutside.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/shopoutside.jpg.html)
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 19, 2015, 02:27:22 pm
I walled off a corner of the basement for mine, its probably 12 x 14 or so. I love it except for one thing, the mess and the dust. I have a ceiling mounted filter that helps a lot. I don't like carrying garbage cans full of knife curls out through the house either, just another mess to clean up. I guess Im suggesting you find a place outside or in a garage. Eventually we will sell our place and buy another with more land so I can do the same as Eric. Build a proper building to work in and store lawn equipment.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: JEB on May 19, 2015, 03:24:25 pm
Make sure you count for electricity for sure and the luxury of water.  Build it your self.  it will probably be much cheaper and better made.  Go to places like Habitat for Humanity for doors, windows etc. 
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: sleek on May 19, 2015, 03:51:40 pm
I use the third bedroom in my house for bow work only.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: RBLusthaus on May 20, 2015, 04:54:05 pm
As JEb said - -  I would love to have water in the shop -  a bathroom is a luxury - - but a slop sink would be glorious. 
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Scottski on May 23, 2015, 10:32:36 am
Water! Didn't think of that. Think that would be nice to have.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: bow101 on May 23, 2015, 12:35:57 pm
 "I can't buy one and put it in the back yard cause I have a big fence up. "   but you can build a small (shed) shop there...?   ???
Can't build anything to big but I would go with a simple roof like a slant design.  And I would definitely go with a high ceiling 10' if you can that helps with dust control and shelves up top for storage and stave drying as its warmer.   Right now I'm in the garage and hate it the lighting is bad and a 8' ceiling, no heat.  Electricity rates have gone up here by 15-20% over the next 3 years.  Look for sales on lumber or salvaged material like doors and windows.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: JoJoDapyro on May 23, 2015, 01:16:40 pm
I am in the attic above my garage. 20 X 20. My only complaint is the 4 foot ceiling height on the front and back walls. It is also a pain to get wood up, as I have 14 foot ceiling in the garage. I have a air conditioner for the summer and a small heater for the winter. I want a wood stove up there. Water would be great, as well as a pisser.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: DC on May 23, 2015, 01:24:54 pm
A friend had a shop with no pisser. He got a length of hose and stuck a funnel in one end. He pushed the hose through a knothole in the wall. Nailed the funnel to the wall. Presto instant urinal. Did I say he was from Newfoundland >:D
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: JoJoDapyro on May 23, 2015, 02:29:24 pm
The funnel and hose idea would be great if you had enough rain to get rid of the pee smell.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: bow101 on May 23, 2015, 02:36:49 pm
A friend had a shop with no pisser. He got a length of hose and stuck a funnel in one end. He pushed the hose through a knothole in the wall. Nailed the funnel to the wall. Presto instant urinal. Did I say he was from Newfoundland >:D

Let me guess he drank to much beer or coffee.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Aaron H on May 23, 2015, 03:04:11 pm
Don't forget good quality lighting.  I prefer the long fluorescent bulbs myself
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Eric Krewson on May 23, 2015, 07:58:50 pm
I don't have a bathroom in my shop but one of the criteria for my move out of town was to be in a place I could water the lawn without offending anyone, and I can.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: H Rhodes on May 23, 2015, 08:48:01 pm
I like to work outside when i can.  I prefer natural light for ring chasing and fresh air agrees with me.  My shop has an indoor area and an outdoor area under a tin roof.  I spend more time in the outdoor area.  Your climate may be a lot different than mine.  Electrical outlets, ventilation, lighting, heating, air conditioning, plumbing....  you can go through that 3000 bucks really quick without a plan.  I would think about what kind of bows you will be building, and where your interests are and get what you really need out of the way first.  For me, I gravitate toward hand tools more and more, so a solid post in the ground, a good vice, a solid work bench, a few tools, good lighting, and ventilation would be priority.  Post some pics as you get your project off the ground.  I think everyone on here could benefit from a good healthy discussion of what makes a perfect bow shop.     
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Eric Krewson on May 24, 2015, 09:29:43 am
I spent a lot of years working outside but as a tool guy I needed a nice place to house all my toys. My shop is a multi purpose shop, bow making is primary, followed by flintlock gun building, general repair of just about anything that breaks around the house or in the field (tractors, lawn mowers and such) and even welding.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Scottski on May 26, 2015, 05:40:54 pm
Thinking about a portable carport on top of a good sturdy floor. With a small door in back a double doors in front. It will all be closed in of course. The carport is 18x 21
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: lebhuntfish on May 27, 2015, 12:20:26 am
Well this discussion is just in time for me to. I'm fixing to start my own shop as soon as this rain let's up.

I acquired several large skids from my work. When I say large I mean huge!  My floor will be store bought but the walls, loft, and "outdoor area"  will pretty much be skids. I found a used role up door from overhead door company. A 36in steel door, 3 windows, ac/heat and almost all of my nails and Joist hangers are from habitat for humanity re store.  My shop/shed will be a 16x22 gamble style with a loft over 2/3rds of it. It should only coast right at 12 to 1500 dollars. To build, not counting all the cases of beer and favors I will owe my friends. Patrick
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: DLH on May 27, 2015, 11:56:16 pm
I'll be watching this closely hopefully start to build a 25x40 next year but may wait to build something bigger for some larger tools. I have been thinking
Of some kind of pulley system to pull staves up overhead to maximize storage. A bed would be nice too for those times the wife gets angry ;D
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Aaron H on May 28, 2015, 07:24:45 am
If you are going to be storing staves in an attic or overhead anywhere, be sure there is good ventilation.  Attics can get very hot in the summer, which could potentially ruin your staves
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: Scottski on June 01, 2015, 05:57:21 pm
I still don't know if a carport or building it my self would be cheaper? My family said building it ourselfs. Neighbors and some friends saw carport idea is a better way. I just don't know I need more opinions.
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: chamookman on June 02, 2015, 05:54:44 am
Don't forget - Ya gotta have a good work/Bow-shop dog. My old shop had a Lab/Springer (Springador) mix, that ate more Yellow wood - I was always amazed that She never had any internal problems or crap yellow  :laugh:! When the bandsaw was running, She would have Her face stuck right in the dust chute waiting for a chunk to fall and chew into pieces. Never had a Flea problem either, with all the Osage dust She carried around. By the way, Her Name was Chamookman - made it thirteen Years eating all that yellow wood. RIP Old Girl. Bob
Title: Re: New bow shop help please.
Post by: okie64 on June 02, 2015, 08:21:01 am
Just as a general rule, materials to build a shop will cost you between 14-18 dollars a square foot. Double that for labor if you have someone else build it for you. That price is for wood framed walls, vinyl siding, one garage door, a walk door and a standard pitch roof. Pole barn style with metal siding usually runs about $15 material and labor.