Jim DaddyO Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 I got a good deal on a Mr. Heater tank top propane heater to get me through this year. Unfortunately, they sent a bolt that was too short to fit the brace for it. I don't know it is a quality control, design, or engineering issue, or if someone thought they would save a couple of cents on each unit. All I know is that they got it wrong, and that is about the way some companies think of their customers these days. I am disappointed that an otherwise good unit would have something so simple overlooked. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 So, how well did it heat? I've got a small kerosene heater but I'm very hesitant to use it, one because of the carbon monoxide issues, two because of the idea of having an open flame in the wood shop with fine sawdust in the air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Bienlein Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 I had one of those at one time to heat my shop when it was 10 x 14 and you could only move a couple of feet. When My wife got my new 24 x 24 shop built it was way undersized. I ended up getting a 30,000 btu propane heater instead and in less then 30 minutes I'm turning it down to it's lowest setting. Never had a problem with excess moisture in the shop with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 It was 10° C in the shop today, so I didn't need it. We will see how it goes. I will likely be pretty close to me when I am sitting and doing joinery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 So, how well did it heat? I've got a small kerosene heater but I'm very hesitant to use it, one because of the carbon monoxide issues, two because of the idea of having an open flame in the wood shop with fine sawdust in the air. No science in this answer, but: I am one guy working in a 25 x 25 shop. I have watched how much sawdust I can create with one arm or for that matter how much VOC I can release with one open can of varnish and I just don't think that I have much explosion risk. Still I am not going with open flame in my basement shop. I think I am tempting fate enough with an electric unit (and there's the carbon monixide). Also consider what happens if the bag comes off your dust collection system blowing sawdust every where, or if you spill that can of mineral spirits. (Come to think of it, might be nice to have an emergency shut off for the heat).I don't think Jim DaddyO has an electric option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 No science in this answer, but: I am one guy working in a 25 x 25 shop. I have watched how much sawdust I can create with one arm or for that matter how much VOC I can release with one open can of varnish and I just don't think that I have much explosion risk. Still I am not going with open flame in my basement shop. I think I am tempting fate enough with an electric unit (and there's the carbon monixide). Also consider what happens if the bag comes off your dust collection system blowing sawdust every where, or if you spill that can of mineral spirits. (Come to think of it, might be nice to have an emergency shut off for the heat).I don't think Jim DaddyO has an electric option.I have a small electric heater I run in my garage that's probably about the same square footage as my shop and it keeps it around 60 degrees, but my shop still hasn't been insulated because somebody won't get off their lazy a... Anyway, I know Jim is running off an extension cord, and your never supposed to run a heater off extension cords. I guess winter will be my woodworking hibernation until I get things insulated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 True.I don't have an electric option. I am running my saw off a 10/3 extension to a dedicated 20A circuit that is meant for a waterline heat tape (that I have not had plugged in for 13 years). When not using the big tools I plug the overhead lights in to it. I use mostly wipe on finishes, my latest favourite being BLO and Bees wax. I go in the house for that. For the shop I just need enough to put my hands near for a while to warm them up for now. Although my father in law has one of these heaters with 2 burners and has to shut one burner off working in a 12 x 30 portable shelter (frame covered with a tarp basically) meant for parking an RV in.Next year I hope to get a sub panel out there, a natural gas line, and a proper vented furnace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 The only issue I have working in the cold is the glue not working. I can deal with the cold, I work outdoors year round. I made my wife a jewelry box last year and it got cold early, it was a pain trying to hide glue ups from my wife and try to keep the wood warm enough to glue up. Hopefully this summer I will get at least the walls insulated, then my little electric heater will keep it nice and toasty. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I had one of those at one time to heat my shop when it was 10 x 14 and you could only move a couple of feet. When My wife got my new 24 x 24 shop built it was way undersized. I ended up getting a 30,000 btu propane heater instead and in less then 30 minutes I'm turning it down to it's lowest setting. Never had a problem with excess moisture in the shop with it.Alan, what brand heater did you get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Last glue up I did was on the kitchen table. I've got an understanding wife. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Yes sir, you definately do. It's 72* here now and still barefooted, so kitchen table is not in the equation, ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Bienlein Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Alan, what brand heater did you get?It's been about 8 or 9 years but I think I might have gotten it at Northern tool. Here is a link to it. It has a built in fan that's thermostatically controlled.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200649343_200649343 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Thanks Alan. After reading your post, I checked a couple of places like Tractor Supply and theirs was almost $100 more than Northern Tool. And if yours has held up that long, I think I'm going to invest! There's a location on the Gulf Fwy., not too far from my office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 On 11/27/2015 at 0:41 PM, Alan Bienlein said: It's been about 8 or 9 years but I think I might have gotten it at Northern tool. Here is a link to it. It has a built in fan that's thermostatically controlled. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200649343_200649343 I see you are using a 20lb propane tank, the unit says it requires 100lb. I assume you have no issues though? Sorry to dig up old threads, researching shop heating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 I thought about the open flame thing, them remembered I'm 8 feet from my furnace and water heater with pilot. Haven't blown up yet 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Bienlein Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 3 hours ago, Cliff said: I see you are using a 20lb propane tank, the unit says it requires 100lb. I assume you have no issues though? Sorry to dig up old threads, researching shop heating No I never had a problem. All that means is it has 5 times the propane in the tank and it's quite a bit larger. I'll also note that I have a 8' long hose between the tank and the heater. My local propane supplier made it up for me with the regulator. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 I use a Mr Heater in my 12x24 shop. It warms it up enough to where my fingers work right. I usually turn it off if I'm finishing or making a ton of dust. I don't have dust collection or enough power to run it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 i hung a 220 volt heater from the ceiling in my shop, built in thermostat, fan, works great in my single car garage even on cold days here in iowa, just have to blow the dust out once in a while 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxerjoe04 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 I've got the dual head unit like the first posted, works well to heat my two car garage. Problem is I'm afraid of the open flame part and carbon monoxide. I usually let it heat my shop then turn it off and work depending on what I'm doing, wish I had something that could run the whole time I work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithSz Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 DO NOT operate these within 18 inches of the floor in your garage when there are flammable vapors from ANYTHING present. Also, DO NOT leave the tanks in your garage, even if they contain no liquid. If operating the heater in your garage, leave the door raised a couple of inches for fresh air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted January 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 1 hour ago, KeithSz said: DO NOT operate these within 18 inches of the floor in your garage when there are flammable vapors from ANYTHING present. Also, DO NOT leave the tanks in your garage, even if they contain no liquid. If operating the heater in your garage, leave the door raised a couple of inches for fresh air. I leave the windows open a bit, the doors on my shop swing in so they are kind of hard to raise. 1 hour ago, KeithSz said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithSz Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 As long as the heater doesn't go off after a while, and after relighting, go off in the same amount of time, you have enough air in there. just watch out for flammable vapors and sawdust at floor level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHoncho Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 Although wise advice, I think you would be surprised at the amount of vapor needed to be volatile. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 Oh my goodness..I better stay in the house.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 10 hours ago, MikeHoncho said: Although wise advice, I think you would be surprised at the amount of vapor needed to be volatile. Likewise sawdust. As in, not being able to see across the room dusty. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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