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Thread: condensation in the shop

  1. #1

    condensation in the shop

    Today in Michigan it reached 64 degrees outside.
    My shop is insulated but only heated when I turn on my propane heater. So today I got home and everything is soaking wet in the shop.This happens all the time in the spring, and my tools pay the price, RUST.
    I have used a spray can rust inhibitor but does not seem to work.
    Anyone have a good idea to stop my tools from taking a beating from condensation.
    Thanks

  2. #2
    In cold climate, the shop needs to be heated in the winter season. Not only for the comfort, but also keep the tools from rusting.

    James

  3. #3
    Several issues. Is your shop vapor barriered? Walls have vapor barrier? Floor/slab vapor barrier? Regatdless of either of those you need to be pulling moisture out of the space 52 weeks a year. If your propane heater is not vented combustion your dead. Propane (and a lot of natural gas) is 100% humiditity if burned in a non sealed combustion chamber.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Posts
    489
    I would guess that your tools are cold and when the air heats up it carries more moisture which then condenses on the much colder metal.....and then, rust. I would, at a minimum, cover your tools during this period with plastic and see if that helps keep the moisture off the tools.

  5. #5
    Heat the shop 24-48 hours prior to warm weather. Monitor and get ahead of the warm weather.

  6. #6
    If you're unwilling to heat the space, I would insure that the air is at least circulating. Maybe an exhaust fan & passive inlet vent?
    Last edited by Harvey Miller; 02-20-2018 at 10:38 PM.
    Just a Duffer

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,890
    Dew point? Is the wood getting wet or just metal?
    Bil lD

  8. #8
    My big planer and joiner are in an unheated space. I use fans to get rid of condensation.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Posts
    158
    The shop doesn’t have to be heated to comfortable temps, it just has to be warmer than the dew point. If the shop is too large for this, then I would consider mobile bases and move the iron to a smaller portioned off and heated area of the shop.

  10. #10
    My basement shop also isnt heated, running a dehumidifier fixed all humidity Problems ive had.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Griswold Connecticut
    Posts
    6,927
    Marc

    Long term fix is to insulate those walls, instal a vapor barrier and the some type of air control.

    My shop is also not heated/cooled and only has a vapor barrier and sheet rock on the walls. ( It's barn board and batten.)
    All of my machines are covered when not in use. The large flat surfaces have a layer of WD impregnated cardboard, with a 3/4" layer of plywood on top of that, and then covered with moving blankets. I bought the type from Harbor Freight, because I honestly don't think there is a natural fiber in them. They never absorb moisture.The machines are always kept waxed and in winter when I don't expect to use them, a layer of LPS6 goes on top of the jointer and planer, before the layers.
    Tool boxes and everything else are bagged.
    Even with this I get rust from time to time. It's just not gross amounts, and can be easily cleaned off. If I don't do this, I get some serious issues.
    It sucks!
    "The first thing you need to know, will likely be the last thing you learn." (Unknown)

  12. #12
    All these other options sound like way more work than just heating it.

  13. #13
    Thanks everyone for all your suggestions and input. First what I have to is get some ventilation in there. I have everything stuffed with insulation and no vents, I will install two power ridge vents. I have no means of constant heat. So I will get a dehumidifier as well. And cover my big equipment with blankets too.

    I will go from there and see how things work out.
    Thanks

  14. #14
    A dehumidifier will help-- but as someone mentioned above, if your propane heater isn't vented, this is going to keep happening. Combustion products are CO2 and H2O-- so heating up the shop with an unvented heater is going to increase the moisture content of the air. Once that air cools back down, the moisture drops out and that's your dew problem. If you vent your whole shop, you're also going to let out a lot of your heat-- but if you can find a vented heater, just the exhaust is vented, which results in a lot less heat loss.
    Licensed Professional Engineer,
    Unlicensed Semi Professional Tinkerer

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Marina del Rey, Ca
    Posts
    1,934
    Quote Originally Posted by Marc Donnelly View Post
    ...I have to is get some ventilation in there...
    You figured it out.
    "Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're doing."

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