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Project Glue-ups in cold garage

3K views 16 replies 15 participants last post by  LittleShaver 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I searched the forum before writing this and found some basic answers to my question but wanted to run one other question by you. Previously, any work I would do during any winter used to be in Albuquerque where even winters could stay in the 20s and 30s for evenings. Now that I live in Ohio, I haven't done much work in the winter until this year as I have a couple of Christmas gifts I'm working on. Consequently, winters here do get a bit colder and the shop I use is a large barn type garage that contains my friend's and my motorcycles and wood shop. It is heated by a wood stove but the garage is uninsulated and I obviously cannot run it 24×7.

If I wait to do any glue-ups until during the day when I know I can get the temps above 45*, I am pretty certain the glue will set properly and I'll be okay. However, that really limits my work time due to other priorities so I would rather take the opportunity even in the evenings. I could bring them home but that invites the potential the ones who they are intended for will see them - not good. I could also store them inside my friend's house but there's no guarantee I can get into the house if they aren't home.

How do those of you work your glue ups if you work all day at a regular job? How long should I really give them at a good temperature before I shut off the stove and turn off the lights?
 
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#2 ·
That's too cold for most glues. The lowest temp for most PVA adhesives is a little north of 50°. The work piece needs to be that warm as well, not just the room temp.That's not just my opinion, that's also what Titebond says in it's product brochure. It might vary some from brand to brand, but it will be close. I would come up with an alternative way to keep the work warm. Maybe an electric blanket draped over it, or a small space heater blowing on it.
 
#3 ·
First of all, my condolences for having to move to ohio from New Mexico. Depending on the size of the project you could take a folding card table, set it on your bench (or any other table at a comfortable work height) and drape a moving blanket over it making an insulated box of sorts. Place it over your projects that will fit in the defined space with a ~100 watt lamp to heat the area and voila, instant glue up oven.
 
#4 ·
I have in the past used a torch to warm up the joints before gluing them up. You have to move it fast enough to not burn the wood. Keep the glue inside the house at room temperature until you need it. A small heater with a thermostat will set the glue within 1 hour or less.
 
#6 ·
How about an electric space heater? I have one in my garage shop that points down at the spot I usually stand by my bench and it makes it tolerable even on the coldest days (which aren't as cold as yours). The radiant heat will make the surface of my bench feel warm to the touch after just 10 minutes so it might be a way to quickly warm up the glue and workpiece and keep it warm until the glue sets.
 
#7 ·
I use an oil heater space heater, they look like radiators and are extremely safe in high dust environments. I use two on different circuits when I need to glue, paint, or seal. A window fan set to draw the air through the heater by pulling it will warm the whole room provide there are no gross air leaks. I set the fan 18" in front of the heater on low pulling air through the heater. It is also good for smaller glue-ups by putting the work directly on top of the heater on a small piece of plywood, 1/4 or so. Glue ups take about an hour with TB III.
 
#8 ·
I've used the light bulb trick many times. For a small object, a large ice chest and 40W bulb are perfect (no LED bulbs 8^).

The blanket over a table works perfectly for larger projects. I typically use drop cloth plastic, but even a small light bulb will keep the temperature ideal.
 
#12 ·
Thank you all. I think I'll bring it back to the house if I can't get the glue-up done during the day when it's a bit warmer.

After you choose one of these stopgap measures I hope you are planning to insulate the garage.

- pontic
It's something we have been slowly working on over the last few years but money and time keep getting in our way. Hopefully we'll have it done by next year.
 
#15 ·
Bndawgs, I live in a mobile home so no, I don't have a good spot to hide them and the eldest will use our bathroom quite often as she loves our tub more than her own.

I spoke with another friend of mine whose shop does stay heated and is insulated. I'm going to glue up and stain them at his place starting tonight.
 
#16 ·
With any of the small space heaters, please pay attention to the recommended minimum distances that you need to keep things away from the coil. Here in eastern IA we have numerous house fires every winter caused by space heaters that got too hot or weren't properly set up and burned the house down. Sadly, there was a fire a week or so back in Dixon, IL that sounds like it was caused from a space heater that killed 4 kids and both parents because the house didn't have smoke detectors.

Also make sure you have good ventilation if you are using a propane or kerosene heater as the carbon monoxide fumes are odorless.
 
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