That time of the year again!

[phil p]

Hi Guys,

Single garage (18 x 10) is freezing and damp once again with the weather therefore any recomendations for a cheap little heater?

I'm not in much in winter therefore something that is quick to heat and cheap to run?

Regards
Phil

 

[SVB]

Phil,

I favour the infrared type heaters - heat people and things rather than air.

Much discussion normally on the gas space hearer type product with CO2 and moisture key reasons to avoid no matter how tempting / easy they look.

Oil filled rads are also fine but in my experience work best with good insulation / draught exclusion.

One helpful suggestion I saw was the use of a 40W light bulb (traditional filiament type, LED not going to help on this one!) to provide background heat in a cupboard that was used to store the most important tools etc. Enough to keep condensation therefore corrosion at bay.

Hope that helps

Simon

 

[Lazurus]

The tube type heaters are great at keeping the damp away, combine with a cheap used dehumidifier.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Firefly-Mounte ... r+electric

I've one of these - I think they're great. Obviously if you leave it on full for hours it'll cost you, but the heat is virtually instant. I got it primarily to warm my hands before they get too cold (circulation's shot) but in the winter I put it on one bar for a couple of hours before I start working.

 

[Tasky]

Aldi and Lidl recently did their little fan heaters, the cylindrical 'work site' kind with a bent tube stand/handle. 1200w, which sounded fairly reasonable.

For the bandsaw I have a Dimplex 2' tubular heater on a timer socket sat beneath the table, drawing summat like 40w. It's worked great so far and if I ever end up keeping tools outside I'll put some of these in the cupboards. It was only about a tenner, IIRC.... and when it's on, you can put your gloved hands round it for a few moments to warm up. On full power it gets too hot for bare skin!

 

[Sgian Dubh]

One helpful suggestion I saw was the use of a 40W light bulb (traditional filiament type, LED not going to help on this one!) to provide background heat in a cupboard that was used to store the most important tools etc. Enough to keep condensation therefore corrosion at bay. Simon

Twenty or so years ago, Simon, I kitted out my tool cabinets as you describe. Then I became aware of small cabinet heaters and switched over to those. They seem to last for years, unlike a light bulb. I think ones like the image below have been in my tool boxes for six or more years without burning out or failure.

They are available from places like Farnell. Slainte.

 

[fezman]

Aldi and Lidl recently did their little fan heaters, the cylindrical 'work site' kind with a bent tube stand/handle. 1200w, which sounded fairly reasonable.

I bought one of these from Aldi last year for use in my single garage - it was useless.

Now using a 3kw delonghi fan heater - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

It takes the edge off the cold, not much more though as i have little in the way of insulation. it is much better than the Aldi one though

 

[Tasky]

It takes the edge off the cold, not much more though as i have little in the way of insulation. it is much better than the Aldi one though

Heh heh, oddly enough I actually just ditched my one of those as it only warmed the 2' area in front of it but the 3000w really ate up the 'leccy bill!

I found the Lidl 1200w one worked better on wider areas and was cheaper to run, although I've so far only used it down a sealed and vaguely insulated mechanics' workshop. My woodworking garage has a lot more 'air circulation' features...!!

 

[transatlantic]

If your workspace is not insulated, then you'll want to go with an instant type heater (fan, infra-red) - the heat isn't building up, but being generated quicker than it is lost.

 

[powertools]

In trouth the worst thing you can do in a small hobby workshop is to try and heat it for a few hours a day, you will cause massive condensation problems.
Buy yourself some thermal insulated overalls, a wooly hat and a pair of fingerless gloves and just accept that in the winter the situation in the workshop is very different to what it was in the summer when it was too hot.

 

[Woodchips2]

In trouth the worst thing you can do in a small hobby workshop is to try and heat it for a few hours a day, you will cause massive condensation problems.
Buy yourself some thermal insulated overalls, a wooly hat and a pair of fingerless gloves and just accept that in the winter the situation in the workshop is very different to what it was in the summer when it was too hot.

Plus it helps to have some insulation under your boots between you and the concrete floor, even a sheet of thick cardboard helps.
Regards Keith

 

[Raymond UK]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Firefly-Mounted-Quartz-Outdoor-Settings/dp/B00NFKN4YG/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1543323966&sr=8-19&keywords=firefly+patio+heater+electric

I've one of these - I think they're great. Obviously if you leave it on full for hours it'll cost you, but the heat is virtually instant. I got it primarily to warm my hands before they get too cold (circulation's shot) but in the winter I put it on one bar for a couple of hours before I start working.

They are quite good. Costly though as you said. I have one in my shed and it has been on full from between 6 and 8 every night. Temps seem to drop dramatically after 5.

 

[phil p]

Thanks for all the replies guys, very good advice as usual.

Regards
Phil

 

[John15]

I have a small insulated workshop 14' x 8' and heat it with two 0.5kw electric convector heaters fixed to the wall. They will raise the temperature from 5 to 10 degrees in about 2 hours and up to 15'ish in another hour. Not sure how that compares with other members but it suits me well and doesn't break the bank. I store my timber and operate my planer thicknesser in an unheated single garage so only venture in there on milder days!

John