Heating your build space..

[Flying Squirrel]

I'm sure I'm not the only one relegated to an outbuilding, garage or a shed to carry out our dirty deeds and with the rising costs of energy I'm curious as to how others heat their spaces now the colder weather is drawing in? Any tips or ideas for keeping more ££ for essential models..

 

How do models during building fair if we only heat the space when we are working?

[Engine Doctor]

A diesel heater is a good choice. Usually a 12 or 24 v power requirement.  So a good battery and charger works well. Run on red diesel if you can still get hold of it 8s cheap heat. 

[Trevor Crook]

I build in my garage, which is poorly insulated. For the last couple of years I have used a 3kW fan heater, but given the situation I was trying to think of a cheaper simple alternative. I decided to try one of the small ceramic heaters that are built onto a mains plug, plugged into the socket above my workbench so it blows directly at me from a couple of feet away. Good results so far, a gentle warm waft on the lower setting has kept me cosy, although winter hasn't really taken hold yet. Of course, at 700W it's not going to heat the room much, but looks like a cost-effective compromise. 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8736637

Edited November 3, 2022 by Trevor Crook
Added information.

[John Lee]

THere is a 15 page thread on this topic:

 

and a short follow up:

 

 

[Shaun Walsh]

Single Malt whisky, just be careful not to get too "warm' or you might go back in the morning to find you've built two left wings. 

[leccyflyer]

For me the key thing is proper insulation and, with that in place, the battle is nearly won, since the amount of energy that you need to input to achieve a nice working temperature is very much reduced. My recent workshop conversion uses thick insulation (100mm Kingspan) to isolate the very cold stone walls from the plywood clad internal structure. As a result the air source heat pump on the outside wall and the distribution system inside only needs the wet radiators to be on the first notch on the thermostat most of the year, only going up to a slightly higher output on the coldest of days. I've been delighted with the system, which has exceeded my expectations.

[Brian Cooper]

This is a bit off-beat, but an inverted, clay flowerpot heated with a tea-light (candle) generates a surprising amount of heat. 

It becomes a fairly good radiator. 

 

The pot needs to be raised a couple of inches to allow the flame to breathe. 

 

Just don't leave it unattended. 

[Nigel R]

Insulation is the right answer as it means dry, good storage conditions as well. My timber shed is insulated using cheap polystyrene bead panels in the walls. It's plenty effective for a shed.

 

For me, minimal application of a fan heater does the rest. 

 

Having to retrofit insulation is obviously not as easy as a heater though. 

[Allan Bennett]

I work in my garage and just put on extra clothing, and rely on my car engine to give me some heat.  If it's been out in the morning it's surprising how warm it stays through the best part of the afternoon.

 

I suppose I must post a warning -- don't run you car engine in the garage 😒

[Robin Colbourne]

Taking a bit of a lateral thinking approach to this, does anyone break their modelling down into non-dirty/messy/smelly tasks they can do in the house, thus spending more time enjoying the warmth they have already paid for?

[Nigel R]

I'm an indoor coverer... Heat shrink film is clean and odour-free.

 

All else, in t'shed.

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

2 hours ago, Allan Bennett said:

I work in my garage and just put on extra clothing, and rely on my car engine to give me some heat.  If it's been out in the morning it's surprising how warm it stays through the best part of the afternoon.

 

I suppose I must post a warning -- don't run you car engine in the garage 😒

And also don't drink the battery acid it is not cheap Whisky,,,🤣

[Andy J]

Pluss one for a diesel heater. Cheap to run on red diesel (or it was year). Yet to buy more fuel for this winter so it will be interesting to see how much the cost has increased by.

 

For those in Bedfordshire the garage on the A6 by Clophill sells red diesel. Their petrol price also beats many in our area.

 

Would also agree with leccyflyer that good insulation is the key to a warm workshop. I used 50mm on the floor and roof and find it very effective.

 

[Bruce Collinson]

Robin,

yes, the garage is a messy outdoor Mancave with bandsaw, belt sander etc.   The inside Mancave is for less messy work, albeit it’s still messy (at present).

BTC

PS still enjoying my M2…

[Bruce Collinson]

PPS expanded polystyrene is extremely poisonous when burning, and it will leach the plasticiser out of pvc electrical cables, risking overheating and fire.   Sheath them in polythene or keep them well away from such insulation.

BTC