Woodworking and the super cold shop #1: fingers and toes

Scott, Im sorta speechless here. Most folks deal with uncomfortable cold in the work place with an adequate heat source for the prevailing conditions. Why not use a forced air torpedo. I have used them for years and burned only diesel in them. Good bang for the buck. I would not use them in an airtight situation however. You do need ventilation and the fumes dont bother me or maybe Im just so used to it that I dont smell it. And when you move you can take it with you.

I use the same as cabmaker. I also burn diesel. Today diesel is more refined than in years past because of EPA regs for large trucks so it burns about like kerosene. I leave some vent space at the doors (cross ventilation) and have a carbon monoxide detector in place. all this is relatively cheap except for the cost of the heater. I am in a warmer climate but I work in a metal building with a couple of inches of insulation on the walls and under the roof. I have a 1200 ft room so there is a large area to heat. It brings the temp up from around 35 to comfortable workings conditions in about 20 minutes. I think mine is a 115,000 BTU. I have used it for about 10 years now and so far I have had no problems. I would recommend one with a thermostat on it.

impressive to hear how quick your shop heats up! for some reason I just figured (with all the dust) that burning fuel wasn’t a safe option. (probably the case with other types of heaters.) a
Its only these chilly months that I miss my old basement shop. come summer the garage is the place to be.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Heated floor pad!
That reminded me of when I was working in a diesel repair shop in 1956-57. The building had a heated floor, & they had to keep the floor temp at 180 degrees in order to keep that cinder block shop warm. I haven’t had cold feet since. LOL

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I’ve found that if the head, neck and feet stay warm all else follows. For that reason I have a fleece pull over “scarf”, it only covers the neck and has nothing dangling. Putting silk socks inside modern wool socks works the warmest, and a decent fleece hat should do the trick.

-- --Rev. Russ in NY-- A posse ad esse

Holy smokes Dick, I’m retired and I was in diapers in 1956!
If you aren’t a salty old dog woodworker, nobody is ! lol

Scott, I fixed the cold shop problem.
(I used to live in Chicago)

I moved to Florida !

I’m going to tell my brother who still lives up there though, about those toasty feet insoles.

Thanks

-- Eric

Aerogel (the component in the insoles) is amazing stuff. Extremely lightweight and an extremely good insulator. Although I find that putting insoles in my shoes makes them uncomfortably tight to wear.

Have you looked into a window A/C unit that also has a heating element? I have one in my shop (24×40) and it keeps it very comfortable. I was working in my shop wearing a short sleeve shirt and shorts last week when it was 32 degrees outside.

Good thing about a window unit is taking it with you if you move. Works great if you have 220v.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

I got this for Christmas:

https://www.leevalley.com/en/gifts/page.aspx?p=44590&cat=4,104,53220&ap=1

It’s been an absolute God-send! I live in Wisconsin and have a fieldstone basement for my shop. Needless to say, working in the winter time is cold and painful. Since getting the heater, I was able to work downstairs in the winter without my hat and wool sweater! Amazing.

Scott, I live in SW Oklahoma and I try to not work in those below 20 days. We often hover around 32 deg at night and that big heater really warms my shop quick. I work in shirt sleeves. I might wear a coat out to the shop but I hang it up until I go back indoors. I am writing this on Dec 30 and it was about 65 deg here today. It is cooling down now with the sun setting. I have never had a problem with dust and the heater. Many use wood burning stoves. We use these heaters on construction jobs in this area so I thought if they can do that I will try it too. I am more afraid of the carbon monoxide so I leave 2 doors open. Just a few inches takes care of that problem though.

oooh, I like that overhead radiant heater… and the price, and operating cost is very nice too!

A former colleague was also just telling be about Polypropelyne sock liners. I wonder what other “hidden gems” Skiiers and other winter sports people have to offer.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

OOP! I’m sorry, but I made an error about the floor temp. it was only 120 degrees.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1