ok, need shop advise

[Andrew Melamed]

I love woodworking but, I also love metal working. I want to attempt setting up a shop for both purposes. I was thinking the workbench right in the middle, to the left all woodworking tools and to the right all metal working tools. I can take tools outside during use but they have to be used inside for obvious reasons. My shop is only 10x10 so it is going to be a little cramped inside. Saw dust is a major issue because sparks, molten metal and saw dust don't really mix too well. Do you guys have any idea on how I can pull this off? I really want to do both because Ive invested a good ammount of money into both trades. I have well over $1000 worth of tools for both purposes so its a pretty big loss to let things just sit in the corner and not be used. Thanks for any help.

[Mike Heidrick]

I play with both worlds as well as a hobby. I have a decent size shop so What I did was store Metal tools on the wall closer to the garage door. The Woodworking tools are deep in the shop. DUST COLLECTION for the wood working and a good broom for the rest.

When I weld or cut on the chop saw I direct the sparks out teh garage door of the shop as best I can. Metal Bandsaw has kept the sparks down immensly. I made a Cast Iron Metal bench and welding table. I use the WW bench for just that. Make sperate tables.

Pics of the shop are in my link/profile.

What kind of welding do you do? I restored an old Lincoln IdealArc 225 300amp AC welder - The first Old Iron I have bought :)

[Andrew Melamed]

I do tig,stick and mig. mostly just playing.

[Andrew Melamed]

nice shop but i dont think mine could even hold that tractor

[Richard Blaine]

When I lived on the old farmstead, I used to do both woodworking and metal work in the barn. Originally, it was just hand tools for the woodworking, and both woodworking and metal working existed pretty much side by side. Once I went to power tools, I moved the woodworking to the other side of the barn -- about 25' away.

I just can't see how I would feel comfortable doing both power tool woodworking and metal work in a 10 x 10 building.

You need to have a bigger building, and preferably one with a wall between the two operations.

[Joe Mioux]

Hi Andrew.

How do you like that Millermatic 135? I have toyed around with getting that one or the 185(?) or whatever the next size up is.

What can yours do and what is its limits. Is recycle time a problem?

Thanks Joe

[Andrew Melamed]

I love it. I like the 120v for the portability. It will only put out 135 amps which is pretty low for a mig welder. If your like me and know how to properly preapare a thick piece for welding then the mm135 will do it. When I bevel a piece for welding the actual weld spot is around 1/8th inch thick. If your going to use a 220v machine DO NOT buy a millermatic 185. It isnt that good for the money. The Millermatic 210 is a little bit more money but its a hell of a better macine. The Millermatic passport is a self contained welder that will run off 120v or 230v which is a real nice feature to have but it can be pricely.

Prices on Cyberweld.com

Millermatic 140(newer 135)-$625 http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_140/
Millermatic 180-$755 http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_180/
Millermatic 210-$1,335 http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_210/
Millermatic pasport-$1,406 http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_passport/


The prices on the miller site are way higher than what you pay. I dont know why they do that but they do.

***Please note that the Millermatic 210 is the only one in that group that will successfully weld aluminuim.