When planning your ideal workshop, keep in mind that you're unlikely to spend much time or do productive work in a workspace if it's not comfortable. For that reason, it's important to remember heating as part of your workshop design. In addition, adequate ventilation is important from the standpoint of safety as well as creating a pleasant work environment. To help maintain a comfortable environment, and to save you money, properly insulate the ceilings and walls in your workshop. It's also helpful to install weatherstripping around doors and windows. Foam insulation stripping is easy to install around your windows. Feel around the edges of your windows to determine whether there are drafty spots. If you find a draft, block it off with weatherstripping. Simply clean the surface where you'll be installing the stripping, peel the paper backing and stick the stripping along the edge of the window (figure A). Heaters The most common way to heat a shop that's not attached to a house is with a portable heater. These include radiant heat, electric, propane and kerosene heaters (figure B). Here are some options and some considerations: - Kerosene heaters. An advantage of heating with kerosene is that it is inexpensive and lasts a long time. Kerosene heaters are filled via a removable cap (figure C). Kerosene does put out an odor that some people find unpleasant. Also, kerosene heaters put out a moist heat, so this may not be the best choice if you're storing lumber in your shop.
- Propane heaters. The advantage of propane is convenience. These heaters use propane tanks that can be refilled or exchanged at propane stations almost anywhere -- including many service stations and convenience stores. Propane tanks are easy to connect to heaters, but when attaching a propane tank (figure D), remember that the connection has a left-handed thread, which is opposite from most threaded connections. Propane heaters generally come in two types: ones that are separate from the tank, but connected with a hose (figure E), and ones that mount directly on the tank (figure F). The heaters that are separate tend to be more stable. If you use a tank-mounted heater, place it in a location where it's not likely to get knocked over, particularly as the fuel begins to run out and the tank gets lighter.
- Electric heaters come in a number of types and sizes. Quartz-element heaters (figure G) are a newer style and offer the convenience of a replaceable element. Wire-element heaters (figure H) are another electric-heater option. Most are equipped with a blower to circulate the heat, so they heat a bigger space more rapidly. Ceramic-element heaters (figure I) are very popular because they are compact, powerful and efficient. Whichever type of electric heater you choose, keep the elements clean and free of dust or sawdust.
Ventilation - The easiest way to ventilate your workshop is with a fan; these come in a large array of styles and sizes (figure J). Industrial fans, which move large amounts of air, are good for a large space. Oscillating fans move back and forth to enhance circulation. Box fans (figure K) are inexpensive and particularly handy for a workshop since they can easily be set in a window to bring in outside air, or turned around to draw out stale air.
- For a more sophisticated approach, a more elaborate system can be installed using ductwork, air filters (figure L) and an enclosed fan to move air and return filtered air into the workspace.
RESOURCES :
The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619
Special thanks for DIY's The Ultimate Workshop
Popular Woodworking magazine
Web site: www.popularwoodworking.com
American Tool
Web site: www.americantool.com
Black and Decker
Web site: www.blackanddecker.com
Ryobi Technologies Inc.
Web site: www.ryobitools.com
Stanley Tools
Web site: www.stanleyworks.com
Vermont American
Web site: www.vermontamerican.com
Setting Up Shop: The Practical Guide to Designing and Building Your Dream Shop
Model: 156158360X
Author: Sandor Nagyszalanczy
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
The Workshop Book
Model: 1561582719
Author: Scott Landis
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
How to Design and Build Your Ideal Woodshop
Model: 1558704817
Author: Bill Stankus
Popular Woodworking Books
Setting Up Your Own Woodworking Shop
Model: 0806983140
Author: Bill Stankus
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
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