My new shop is finally taking shape I've been through the ringer with getting things set up and realizing things I had forgot. I should be completely done and back to work on guns instead of the shop by next week. Here are a few pics as it's taking shape and once it's completely done I'll take pics of the entire building.
first off is my new lathe a Grizzly 4003G specifically designed for gunsmithing.


this is my new mill, I also have a much smaller version which I just ordered a new head assembly for.


this pic was taken before covering my table in tools and equipment. in order from the large lathe is my oak machinist box, small lathe and color case hardening oven.


these are of the polishing and drilling side of my bench, where the scroll saw is now I will probably be mounting my small mill.


sign my wife made before I changed the name of my business and the bottom one was one I oftened pointed toward when I was still in auto repair.


welding and sanding bench



Ruger parts inventory



already mess although hopefully better organized by the time I start working this is my main workbench.


This last pic is a flag I found and with the name of the business being Dixie I thought it fit well in the shop.



I'll add more pics as things take shape a little more and once everything else is done. At this point I have one more roll away tool box to move in as well a small safe and a large locking cabinet and of course my desk. I definitely could have used a larger building but you go with what you can afford at the time and make the best of it.

Looks good Rod!

Looking good Rod! Those walls look mighty thin for winter time work. It always takes more time and money than we think it should,but you will get it. Good luck and don't push that back to hard.

your right about the walls but I wanted to get working as fast as possible and with spring coming up I figured I had the summer to take care of insulation. The stuff I'm looking at using is an aluminum vapor barrier but unlike most of the stuff I've looked at it's almost 2" thick and comes in 4' wide rolls. the width will come in handy as the contractor did a crappy job on the framing so it will be easier to run the insulation horizontal in the 4' sections. I was going to wall it in but with the way it was framed it would be a major pain. I'm still up in the air between either wood or electric heat but I'll get to that before this winter. Of course if this chain of quakes keeps making the circle my place will be under roughly 30' of water. It was entertaining during this last tsunami from japan, people were running for the hills. All I can say after seeing how these idiots acted with seven hrs and a 2' wave I can't to see what happens when the cascadia fault goes and we have 15-20 minutes to get out of the way of 30-40 ft of water.

Good looking shop you got there. I like the flag too.

Shortgun

OH THAT IS A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!!!!!!!

Great work Rod. Shop looks like its coming along just fine!

Looks great Rod

sweet looking shop!

Nice shop. If you are going to be working on handguns I have a Security Six that needs some work.

Rod, you're rock'n and roll'n now!

Wishing you the best of luck.

You could put tin on the inside walls with some extra support where you want shelves and cabinets. Put on with screws it is easy to remove if you want shelves somewhere you didn't put extra support. An added benifet is you don't have to paint it.
I grew up with wood heat but insurance can be pricey. Maybe wood with some kind of backup so you don't have keep fire in the stove all night to keep things from freezing. Keep pecking at it, You will get it. Just how close to the coast are you?

I am about .5 mi from the bay and 2 miles from the beach as the crow flies. Rust and condensation are constant problems.

AWSOME SHOP!! NIce flag

Good work, Rod!

Now I can't wait to get my special Ruger Single Six in .17 HMR/.17 Mach 2 back from your magic touch; as it is springtime here in the Rockies and I have a rancher itchin' for me to come shoot his prairie dogs...

Dang, what a problem to have!

Dang Rod, doesn't look like there is anything you aren't equipped for. Looks good.

Being that close to salt water is there anything special you have found and like for rust prevention ,protection? We have high humidity but no salt air.

A better source of heat Is a Pellit/Corn Stove, They do require
Electric to run,But will run on a Battery backup (Like used for Computers, Also keeps them running when the power FLICKERS)for a short time.
They are Very Efficent, And make less mess than wood

Junebug, I use three products, if I have moderate to heavy rust deposits I use Naval Jelly to remove it and then if it's paintable I use one of paints like permatex offers that is a rust converter. You remove the majority of rust and spray this stuff on it and it turns to a black primer. I also use a newer product called Evapo Rust which works well with light to moderate rust and a little rubbing after soaking. To stop rust on my machines I've tried ATF, WD40, and the partner product to the Evapo Rust which is Rust Block. The rust block is strictly for stuff out of the weather as it is water soluble but as long as it is being rained or snowed on your fine. I've gone primarily to the block so I don't get the major oil build up. If you have stuff outside I'd use ATF it's thinner than motor oil but thicker than wd 40 so it will hold on better and you can apply it with a plastic spray bottle. Before I got hurt I worked as a shop foreman in a transmission shop and the guys would save old atf in a 5gal bucket and throw their air tools in it at the end of the day and the next morning just wipe them off and go to work.

Gregg, your gun is just short of bluing, I've been trying to get caught up enough so I can blue multiple guns at once as I have several from customers and I've actually quit taking work until I'm caught up. I really screwed up on this deal. I have underestimated every part of starting this business as far as time and money but I'm deep into it both ways now so there is no going back.

The worst thing is when crap like my surgery comes up. It has set me back a month or two. The surgery went great but it slowed me down and I've pushed too hard and for the second time now I'm down sick and worn. I know it will all come around but I feel bad because I haven't been able to meet the time tables I gave you or Ed Folmar, fortunately Dan B isn't in a hurry and the other customers I have I was able to forewarn. I've had several people locally want me to look at stuff for them as well as some on this site but I finally had to put the brakes on so I can get healthy and get running right so I'm making sure my quality is above quantity.

You guys have been a great source of inspiration and I appreciate it and I look forward to being leveled out enough that I can have a business that concentrates on the handgun hunter. I can't and won't try to re invent the wheel but I will give you my best and treat your guns as if they were my own. It's times like this I reflect on Tig. I sent Tigs wolf a letter after his passing telling her how much of an inspiration he was to me. I've had to deal with some of the worst pain imagineable but I always knew it wasn't terminal and if Tig could fight the fight he did then I could get up in the morning hurting and shrug it off and go to fixing guns..

Hoo Yaa Rod!

thanks Tc, you know how sick I am after talking today but I actually made it out today for a bit and built a barrel and got a little more stuff done. It's amazing even the fixtures I made before won't work with my new equipment so I'm having to start out machining jigs a fixtures before I can even start on guns again.

Thanks for the info Rod. Starting a busisness is hard enough when everything goes smooth,but throw in surgery and the pain and worry that goes with it and it get's to be almost to much.
They say adversity shapes our character ,and yours is shining through. Your not putting quantity ahead of quality speaks volumes, about the man you are ,and your ethics. John Wayne called it the big C ,and although he knew he couldn't win said he would fight the fight anyway,one day at a time. I am sure Tigger felt the same way. If you take inspiration from them ,they will never be forgotten, and there struggle was not in vain!

Hey Rod!

The shop is looking great my friend, & I will be praying that your health holds up so you can start kicking out the quality work you are becoming known for.

I'm still dreaming of having you convert one of my BHs to a plain Jane 480 someday, but that will be at least a year or two down the road due to finances. Worth waiting for I am sure!