How Much Should You Spend on Shop Equipment?

In this video we discuss, "how much should you spend on shop equipment?" Getting your blacksmith shop set up will take a fair bit of money. If you are resourceful, you can find blacksmith tools at garage sales sometimes. If you're looking to have a full time metalworking shop, you may need to purchase brand new shop equipment.

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[gregwise]

Thank You Again Roy. I Don't Have Much Money, Hence My Use Of Scrap For My Projects. It Serves My Purpose, & Is Great Therapy, God Bless You !!!

[joshuadelisle]

well done good video. there is certainly an addictive habit in this craft to collect more kits ... I'm toying the idea to go minimalist in my new shop. I had lots of kit I would use intermittently when I can get away with out it. it's all about efficiency and effectiveness in business... but heart wants new toys...

[jasonhill]

Enjoyed the little blacksmith at the beginning! Thank you JESUS for the knowledge. I happen to exactly understand the fly fishing analogy... I have a lot of money in my many pieces of gear, but the $10-15 homemade rig catches fish just like the ones that was a lot more expensive. Lesser tools can accommodate the work needed but for the long haul they and go middle of the road. Rigid power tools offer forever guarantees for much of thier selections.

[brentlegg]

I've definitely got many plans and dreams as I am learning blacksmithing. I know it is going to take time, but I can't wait to have a nice big shop to work in, and not just my back yard lol.

[Zogg]

Good advice for like me lol. It does help if you have had other hobbies and interests that have some tool cross over. Over the years I've bought a lot of tools that weren't designed specifically for blacksmithing, but they will work for now and until I can afford to upgrade (e.g.my hand held belt sander is now on a stand to hold it vertically with a tool rest in front of it. It's really slow but it will do for now).

[trevorjarvis]

Great video, a very common sense approach - care needs to be taken otherwise tool and equipment costs can run away. There is nothing wrong in buying second hand or used tools to begin with!! Great video. God bless you.

[brettsayers]

There will never be enough tools, not saying that they all will have to be brought, there will always be a time where a new or modified tong or punch is needed, a new jig made or something to make a task easier or quicker. An example i will use is, for my vehicles i have a basic mechanics tool set, over the years i have added to this because as i have progressed in what i'm doing i have needed different shaped spanners. what i own now doesn't fit in the tool box. I now have three. Great video as always Roy, thanks once again.

[injens]

One thing I learned when I was still a young man (I’m in my 80’s now) is that if I need a tool for example an adjustable wrench, I am way ahead buying a $45 Crescent wrench than a Chinese wrench for $10. The Crescent wrench will be enjoyed by my great grandchild 50 years from now. In the meantime I enjoy using a near-perfect tool. Most of my stationary power tools, e.g. lathe, mill, drill presses, etc. are Rockwell tools….old but still work as well today as they did in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s when they were made. Go slowly, get a tool as you see you need it, then buy the very best brand you can get.

[bigd]

Gathering tools is my hobby ! Is there any other ? lol . 😊 Now my hope is to become a master of what they are capable of ! 😊 . But I will enjoy the journey they take me on !😊 . Thanks again for sharing your time and the video's you make Roy .

[marcs]

I'm living the slow and steady. Making my own tools and buying little bits here and there. Funny thing is... and it's not because i take better care of them. The tools i make are better then the ones i buy. Went through a few punch sets and my coil spring punch is holding up 10 times longer with no sign of wear.

[drason]

I can definately understand the estimate on your tool replacement costs. I have a lot of antique tools, that could cost well over $10k, if I had to replace them

[manga]

roger that scratch that 10 foot soaking furnace, and double frame 8 ton chambersburg steam hammer, and ajax forging machine, and the ten ton crane, also cancel the 1000 gallon fuel tank and 20 hp air compressor, and the toolroom lathe and the 10000 ton forging press

[vanderhoof]

Good advice. I just listed an anvil for sale on Craigslist and came apon an add, ....Wanted: Antique anvil and metal workbench, willing to pay up to $50.
ROFL....yes we all want that, not like to happen in Montana, an anvil desert.

[Uncle_Bucks_Forge]

I have been collecting tools for my shop for 40 years. Ouch an I that old. I an still looking at tools all the time. Can we say addiction?

[mikeconley]

Buy once cry once I've made what I can I've built 3 forges now each one an improvement from the last because I've gained a larger knowledge of how they work

[bentoombs]

Very good point.Because I waited a couple years until I can get a good chunk and buy anvil, forge, some tools and a welder(harbor freight welder until this year I bought my new esab multi-process welder. And I just been slowly collecting since then. This is all really going to be a hobby until I retire. I have a really good government job so you no need to rely on the incoming anyway matter fact most the stuff I make I just give away. Lol I feel horrible charging people money. And I'm horrible business man

[jojomama]

If I could figure out how to send pictures of my little work shop I'm pretty sure you'd get a good laugh...hoping my granddaughter can tutor me in that area...

[samuellogan]

I'm 15 and started blacksmithing when I was 11 some off the tools I've gathered up are not replaceable like my forge I know off two others in the country I payed £110 for it have been offered £800 for it and turned it down i don't need money at the minute that bad idea rather have the forge

[masonmp]

crooks and nannys are in every nook and cranny in your shop

[bentoombs]

Just wait, Crook & Nanny what are you stuffing in what what kind of business you running. Hehe just had to poke you with a stick Roy