Hello all, My shop is a 20'X24' garage with two insulated walls, and no isulationin the ceiling. I live in Western Wisconsin, so it gets colder than amother-*$&%#$ out here. I'd like to find a semi-portable method ofheating my shop so that I don't have to stop working all winter. Thebuilding is a rental, so I'm hesitant to install a big heater that isgoing to be too tough to take with when my wife and I buy a house(probably next spring). The shop has a chimney (though I have no ideawhy) so I may be able to use that for a vented heater. I only need it to be heated to, say 50 degrees or so, just enough tokeep me from freezing solid, but I want the heat to be relativelysafe, and to try and keep my tools from rusting when I heat thebuilding up (It will only be heated whn I'm working). Electiric heatis out, because the electrical service is not the best, and I don'twant to trip the breakers every time I use a tool, so I think I'mgoing to need propane or a wood stove.I've seen the tube-type "jet" heaters before, and they seem to workpretty well, but is there another type that may be safer to use aroundwood that would work? I can't say that money is not a limitingfactor, but I'm willing to invest in the right tool for the job athand. I'd love to insulate and sheetrock it, but the wife says noway, since I don't own the building and we intend to move fairly soon.Thanks for any advice!

-----clip------I've used one of those propane powered radiant heaters the past two winters. The biggest problem I've learned to deal with is condensation. I discovered my precious pattern rasps had rusted while in a drawer as well as some of my metal cutting files. Also, some moisture will condense on the cold iron of my Unisaw so I have to watch that. I put a carbon monoxide detector next to where I work and it never has indicated any CO.Larry

Winter's on it's way- any tips for heating a garage-type shop?

Oct 03, 2004 44 Replies

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mac davis 21 years ago

(plastic sheeting)

Mac

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patrick conroy 21 years ago

What we called Plastic Sheeting in the old days. Today you'd look for something like Tyvek(TM) House Wrap.

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Prometheus 21 years ago

Got ya. Thankfully, it's now a moot point! My wife and I just got our approval for a morgage, so I'm hoping to be in my new place before the deep freeze sets in, and then I can insulate the snot out of the shop and put a real heater in there. :)

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mac davis 21 years ago

Congratulations! Welcome to the world of fixing things around the house at you own expense, instead of the land lords.. lol

Mac

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patrick conroy 21 years ago

Congrats Fire Man! Congrats!

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