Work shop heater advice

[Lazurus]

Well its that time of year when the damp creeps in. I would like to put a heater near to the VB to stop any damp creeping in and killing it electrically as I have heard stories of the damp affecting the inverters. I do put a dehumidifier in the shop over winter, and treat all the bars and bed with wax so rust has not been an issue, but would like recommendations on a permanent source of mild heat.

I was thinking of the tube type heater with a stat which I can sit under the lathe and move when I am working, I have a heater in the workshop but not suitable to leave unattended.

[Bryan Milham]

I have a very small (45W) electrically powered Tube heater, originally designed for a greenhouse, if I remember correctly. It is wall mounted just behind my lathe motor.

Although you'd think it would be to low powered to do much, it does stop any condensation or frost forming.

And at 45W, I don't even worry about leaving it on for long periods of time.

[john taylor]

The other option I know someone uses is they put a 40 or 60 watt bulb in one of those clip on holders in the bottom of the VB and covers the beast with a blanket.   They live in the middle of nowhere and get a lot of fog and frost etc and he has never had a problem since he started doing this.

john

[Dave Atkinson]

Hi I have two, wall mounted, oil filled panel heaters in my workshop fit controlled by a thermostat which I set at 10 degrees.  Keeps everything dry and rust free.  I have insulated the workshop (probably better than the house!).

I don't think I would risk covering a bulb with a blanket - seems like a fire risk to me.

Cheers Dave

[fuzzyturns]

I think the bulb is the way to go. Easy, cheap, and works perfectly well. As Dave says: covering it with a blanket is not a good idea.
Bulbs like this have been (and are) used by many in their home-built kilns as a simple way of providing a constant low source of heat.

[BrianH]

Slightly off topic but of too great an importance not to repeat......
In my days on the 'red lorryful of ladders' I once attended the site of a garden workshop reduced to a blackened bandsaw and wood burner surrounded by nothing but ash. Give any idea of converting offcuts or shavings into heat the widest possible berth.
Brian

[john taylor]

I should off made it clearer, he puts the bulb into the base of the lathe and the blanket over the outside of the lathe there is no way the two can get close to each other.

john

[fuzzyturns]

Even so, I wouldn't put a blanket on at all. A 60W bulb is enough to ensure the entire workshop (unless it's really large) is a degree (or a fraction of a degree) warmer than the outside, and that is really all that's needed to prevent condensation and a flow of humidity from the inside to the outside.

[Derek]

I have an oil filled radiator set to just above freezing just enough to stop any condensation and it also takes the chill off when I first go into the workshop first thing

[burywoodturners]

You wont be using 60w bulbs for much longer, the LED's give off very little heat. The green house heater seems the way to go
Ron

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Purely from a health and safety angle I would be inclined to go with the tube heater, they are specially designed to do the job you want it to and do it safely.

[Lazurus]

I think a tube heater fits the bill. Thanks for all the suggestions, off to Fleabay methinks.......

[mickdundee]

After reading this I think I might invest in this one
http://www.screwfix.com/p/dimplex-ecot1ft-thermostatic-tubular-heater-40w/3951f#product_additional_details_container
I went to a lot of trouble to damp proof my shed, so I really should do something about condensation as well