Cold Weather Finishing

I’ve got this same problem. An unheated barn and glue and finishes that demand higher temps. Seems from what I’ve read 40-50 degrees F is the threshold : (

It’s already getting below freezing here in New England and I’m shuffling projects from the house to the barn and back again, what a pain.

I’ve also considered the project shuffle – unfortunately two other resons for the move were:

1. Ventilation in basement is extremely poor at best and stinks up the whole house.
2. Basement stairway is abnormally narrow and I’ve almost gotten a couple project stuck in the basement with no way to get them out. Reverse this and you can see how I could possibly not get projects down there to finish them now.

-- Life is a one lap race.

Easy
Option #1 – Use reflective sheathing to build a 3 wall house for your project and use an electric space heater to keep it at the right temp overnight (note SAFE electric, meaning it won’t ignite the insulating sheathing)
Option #2 – wait until spring

More Difficult
insulate and buy shop heaters for garage

Insanely Difficult
Invent stain or finish that won’t fisheye in temps below suggested temp

Check into barrel heaters….make your own

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas

Be very careful about letting heaters running unattended and don’t use open flame heaters with flammable finishing products.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com