Grain Bin Doubles As A Paint Booth

Grain Bin Doubles As A Paint Booth FARM SHOP Miscellaneous 32-5-11 "I made a portable sandblasting and paint booth out of a 1,000-bu. steel grain bin," says Gackle, N. Dak., farmer and innovator Roger Gutschmidt. "I can easily move it in or out of my 36 by 40-ft. shop whenever I need it. I've used it on several restoration projects, and it works great." Gutschmidt likes using the totally enclosed bin because it keeps sand and paint from getting all over his shop. And it allows him to do other shop work without having to worry about dust getting on fresh, sticky paint. When he needs to paint or sandblast, he simply picks up the small bin with his tractor-mounted pallet forks and carries it into the shop. When not being used as a paint booth, the bin serves as a shelter for lawn mowers, grass trimmers, bicycles, or anything else he doesn't want left outside. It also comes in handy for temporary grain storage. He made 12-ft. extensions to slide over the existing tines on his pallet fork to pick up the bin. Gutschmidt runs a chain all the way around the outside of the bin to keep it from falling off while he carries it into his shop. Once the bin is positioned in his shop, Gutschmidt attaches a section of 6-in. dia. ventilation hose to an adapter he added to the top hatch of the bin. The duct leads to a large squirrel cage exhaust fan that pulls dust and paint fumes out of the building. He also uses the ventilation system for removing exhaust when he has large tractors running inside, or when there are welding fumes. Gutschmidt cut a 3-in. opening in the top of the bin to allow his chain hoist to go through for lifting large objects like wheel weights and other heavy parts while being painted. The 3 by 7-ft. bin door is big enough to get most things inside, including tractor hoods, fenders and wheels. Gutschmidt has floor heat in his shop, which he says is safe for painting. "The portable paint booth's walk-in door is positioned right over my floor drain, which is nice for when I finish my sandblasting and get ready for painting. I simply wash the entire ceiling and walls down with my water hose and it washes all the fine dust off, making it a perfect environment for painting," he explains. "I've made many stands to hold my painted parts such as wheel weights, wheels and fenders. I also installed portable lighting by hanging halogen lights on wall mounts and stands, so it's pretty well lit in there. Halogen is tougher, safer and brighter than using trouble lights." Gutschmidt admits that his dad thought he was crazy when he initially thought of the idea of bringing the bin inside his shop. However, since he's used it on several projects and "it has worked like a dream," the elder Gutschmidt is a convert. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gutschmidt Manufacturing LLC, Roger Gutschmidt, 6651 Hwy. 56, Gackle, N. Dak. 58442 (ph 701 698-2310; shopdoc@drtel.net).

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