Shop Fire!!

[WoodDr.]

This was my shop that burned on November 21, 2014. After the fire I wanted to replace my tools with Festool and Jet. My first Festool was my Carvex then my 2200. I loved them both and now I have the Kapex, ETS 150, 1400, Domino 500, MFT 3, LR32, TS 55,CT26, RTS 400, CT midi, 2200 accessory base kit, Kapex UG cart with extensions, FS 1400, hole drilling track, FS 800, guide rail accessory kit,

 

[WoodDr.]

I know this thread is for projects but I feel like my shop is an ongoing project.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=8pt]

I know this thread is for projects but I feel like my shop is an ongoing project.

[size=13pt]
It certainly is and others here too are slowly or quickly showing the evolution and building of their shop. If no one else has, on behalf of the FOG - Welcome.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/works...based-shops/shopaddition-build-has-commenced/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/workshops-and-mobile-vehicle-based-shops/workshop-tour/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/works...ps/on-going-shop-reorganization-build-thread/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/works...ops/the-tidying-of-the-untidy-shop-project-1/

And there are many more in - Workshops and Mobile based Shops.

And two fantastic videos from Frank Howarth,



[member=59412]WoodDr.[/member]

 

[nako]

Sounds like you are off to a great start and long live the new shop!

 

[tiralie]

Did you/they find out how the fire started?
Tim

 

[HarveyWildes]

I'd be interested to know how the fire started also.

I finished wiring the 220 in my basement shop about 5 years ago and when the electrical inspector came to look at, he made me do several things.
* Do my best to isolate all exposed wiring from dust.  This included putting insulating pads on the boxes, using outdoor covers on all new outlets, and so on.  Strangely he did not make me put outlet covers on the existing outlets, presumably because they were already approved.
* Even then he made me get the local fire dept to sign off on the fire safety of the shop.  No problem there - they came out and didn't think there was anything to fuss about as long as I kept the shop clean.

About once a year when the wind is blowing 20-30 mph or so (which it does a lot here - we've clocked 100 mph twice at my house in the last 10 years), I open up the doors and windows, turn on the two air cleaners, and take a blower to the shop.  I do try to make sure that I hit the outlets in the process.

 

[TylerC]

I'm glad to see you're bouncing back. We had a big house fire when I was a teenager, and I know how destructive that can be. Good for you for persevering.

 

[WoodDr.]

Yes I do know that it was Old Masters stain that started the fire.

I had stopped using that stain a year earlier because a few times I would be staining cabinets, leave for lunch, and when I got back the sponge I was using would be smoking.
I had a customer want an island to match her cabinets that I built a year earlier so I bought the stain just for that cabinet. My son had stained it and laid the sponge on a table. It had laid there for about 4 hours and 2 hours after I left for the day my uncle called and told me the shop was on fire.
There is a label on the lid of the stain about spontaneous combustion. My son just left it there because we haven't used the stain in so long and wasn't thinking about it being so flammable.

This was my dad's cabinet shop since about 1990 then I took the business over in 2009. He started the business in 1983 and had two other locations before moving to this shop. There were so many memories hanging on the walls from when my uncles and cousins worked for him since 1983 and all the tools he spent his whole life accumulating.

The white building you see in the photo with ashes is my Grandfather's shop that he started in the late 50's my oldest uncle owns it and his son and grandson work there.i'm a third generation cabinetmaker and even though my son works for me now, he has no interest in doing this for a living.

I'm proud of my job and that we have four generations of cabinetmakers.

 

[leakyroof]

Yes I do know that it was Old Masters stain that started the fire.

I had stopped using that stain a year earlier because a few times I would be staining cabinets, leave for lunch, and when I got back the sponge I was using would be smoking.
I had a customer want an island to match her cabinets that I built a year earlier so I bought the stain just for that cabinet. My son had stained it and laid the sponge on a table. It had laid there for about 4 hours and 2 hours after I left for the day my uncle called and told me the shop was on fire.
There is a label on the lid of the stain about spontaneous combustion. My son just left it there because we haven't used the stain in so long and wasn't thinking about it being so flammable.

This was my dad's cabinet shop since about 1990 then I took the business over in 2009. He started the business in 1983 and had two other locations before moving to this shop. There were so many memories hanging on the walls from when my uncles and cousins worked for him since 1983 and all the tools he spent his whole life accumulating.

The white building you see in the photo with ashes is my Grandfather's shop that he started in the late 50's my oldest uncle owns it and his son and grandson work there.i'm a third generation cabinetmaker and even though my son works for me now, he has no interest in doing this for a living.

I'm proud of my job and that we have four generations of cabinetmakers.

  Sorry to hear that you'd lost your shop.  Oily Rags or Stain/Solvent laden rags are trouble if not cared for. Good luck with what ever you replace the old shop on your new shop project.  And post pictures... [smile]

 

[tiralie]

I'm proud of my job and that we have four generations of cabinetmakers.

And so you should!
Fires like the one you had can be devastating both to families and livelihoods. 
Thanks for the info on the fire.
Tim

 

[WoodDr.]

I have seven kids and I had three jobs in the shop so I didn't have anytime to waste on getting started again. My dad did not have insurance so everything was lost.  My brother-in-law let me borrow a black and decker drill with a small circular saw attachment. That and a few hand tools that I had on my truck was what I started back with. I did have a 22' x 22' two car garage that I was able to clean out and use for a shop. My old shop was 100' x 24'. That is still hard to get used to.
My uncles and cousins helped me by buying me a spay gun, saw blades and letting me borrow an air compressor. We had a lot of friends just give us money to help in replacing material for the jobs that burned and to buy tools and pay the bills. I had very understanding customers which was a big help as well.
God provided me with more jobs than I've ever had that year and I was able to get everything I needed to do my jobs right. There are a few more things I could really use but in my small shop I don't have room to put anymore tools.
As far as my spray room, I bought a potable garage from Northern Tool and it surprisingly works very well. I am amazed that I can get such a quality finish in pretty much a tent.
I'm going to stick it out in this little shop for a while longer but my hopes are to buy another house with some property and build a bigger and better shop.

 

[WoodDr.]

This is the progression from December 1, 2014 to now. It's time to get the shop cleaned up.

 

[tiralie]

I have seven kids and I had three jobs in the shop so I didn't have anytime to waste on getting started again.

God bless you and your family.
Please consider some insurance.
I know it's an added expense and I have don't like paying it any more than I like paying taxes but it probably would have made life easier.

Tim