Saw works at -12F!

[fergusburger]

Pretty cold up in Minneapolis this weekend. Made a few cuts out in the garage tonight with the temperature at -12F and falling. Shop lights complained a bit when I turned them on, but the Bt3 didn't seem to notice the temperature. Definately an insulated-coveralls-and-mits kind of night. I suppose someone in Fargo or Saskatoon will one-up me with a few cuts at -25F.

- Tom

[tfischer]

Holy crap -- no way I can work in those conditions -- I'd probably cut right through my finger and not even notice! I'm a fellow Twin-Citian and do plan on getting some shop work done tomorrow -- thankfully I have a kero heater I can fire up. I doubt it will ever cycle off in this weather...

-Tim

[Pappy]

We are having highs in the 40's and lows just below freezing and i'm staying inside except for work . I can't even imagine working in temps like you guys are talking about!

Forecast is back in the 70's by the first of the week...my kind of 'winter' weather!!!!!

[monte]

You need to put some heat in your shop. No way could I work in my shop if it was that cold. My shop never gets below 50 degrees during the winters here in Michigan. Gotta keep things from freezing up. When I work in the shop during the day I stoke up the wood burning stove and it warms the shop up to around 72 degrees. Nice to work when it's warm and cozy.

[tfischer]

You need to put some heat in your shop. No way could I work in my shop if it was that cold. My shop never gets below 50 degrees during the winters here in Michigan. Gotta keep things from freezing up. When I work in the shop during the day I stoke up the wood burning stove and it warms the shop up to around 72 degrees. Nice to work when it's warm and cozy.

Wish I had a real shop -- just have a garage that gets shared with the cars. Too much $$$'s to keep it heated (and not good for the cars). Instead, I keep the stuff that can't get frozen (glue, paint/finish, etc) inside and only heat it up when I'm working out there. I find that 60 degrees is plenty warm for me to work in and at the price of Kero I don't want to burn any more than needed...

I should say I'm supposedto remove the stuff that shouldn't freeze. I ruined a 3/4 full tube of wood filler by leaving it out there yesterday... Evidently wood filler turns to solid after freezing (even after re-thawing)

-Tim

[kano32]

About two weeks ago I had to build some speakers for a paying customer so I was cutting mdf in my tiny shop and it was -26 below. I took the heat lamp out of the chicken coupe and it actually kept things warm. It's now in the 30's and stays warm (to me anyway) enough to work with a light coat. This summer my shop is getting insulated and I am installing a propane heater.

[just4funsies]

82F here in Orlando today... Don't know how you "polar people" do it.

On a serious note, extra layers of clothing can get caught in the machinery, so take care that you know where your sleeves are. And be sure you've got ventilation when using combustive heaters.

Think I'll go to the beach today...

[jhart]

[QUOTE=just4funsies]82F here in Orlando today... Don't know how you "polar people" do it.

Reminds me of a few years ago when I was talking to a friend of mine in Miami. It was about 110 degrees and very humid. I asked him how he could live in weather like that? His response was the same as ours during the cold winter days " We stay inside".

While we can put more clothes on, you can only take so much off!!

[Copper]

Kano32s post brought up a question I have. Does anyone know how flammable MDF dust is? I know cutting it gives off quite a bit of dust and if dust collection is minimal or not an option, this could lead to quite a cloud being produced. Is there any chance a MDF dust could could catch fire from a portable heater? It might make me think twice about working in sub zero temps.

[gimpy]

kano, just curious, what kind of speakers did you build? I would like to see some pics if you have them. (I've built 4 of my own).

Anyway, I worked in the garage yesterday. I think the high got about 35 (according to this morning's paper). I use my propane "torpedo" heater to heat things up for 15-20 minutes or so, then turn it off. Start it up again when I get too cold.

It was supposed to have snowed here yesterday, but didn't, we really need it. Haven't gotten any this winter except an inch or two. Usually average about 90 inches.

Frank

[just4funsies]

While we can put more clothes on, you can only take so much off!!

True, but with that many layers on, you better make sure the first layer is "Depends". And I'm sure the LOYL appreciates the extra laundry.

Not only that, but I've never met anybody who blew himself up or suffocated from running the A/C.

[kano32]

I have also wondered about mdf exploding like a flour mill. I will probably turn the heater on to warm up the tools and shop and then turning it off until the dust is cleaned up. I just need it warm enough for the power tools to work and so I can take my gloves off and work comfortably.

[Tom Miller]

...-12F and falling....

Ha! Glad I live south of you! In Woodbury it probably wasn't lower than -11.9F.

I was in a toasty basement shop, though. Still not toasty enough to use plastic resin glue, though. Who do they make that stuff for, anyway?!

Regards,
Tom

[thestinker]

Wow....if I ever saw -12 I wouldn't even go outside. Much less out side to work on a freakin hobby!!!!

[Never2old2start]

Going to the beach, huh? Not a bad idea. But, I got boards to rip, 2X10X10's to be exact, for my bench top. Had the BT out on the driveway when working since I don't have a DC unit yet, and got a red neck to prove it. Where in Orlando are you?

~ Paul ~