The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest You fellas working in a non A/C shop, do yourself a favor

Being a natural tight wad, I've put off buying a good fan, but finally broke down this year and got one of those big 42" Big Air fans from Sam's. It's about $200, but man it makes the shop so much more pleasant. Also got one for horse barn. Wished I would have done it long ago.

Mamma bought me one years ago for the shop. Every time I turn in on, I say "Thank you dear". As someone who once worked in a steel foundry I can honestly say, hot moving air is better then no moving air

When you finally release that death grip on some cash and get something that makes sense and you really need, don't you feel like kicking yourself for not dropping that "dime" sooner.

Living on a farm, we do that a lot. Even just keeping extra IMPORTANT parts in the shop, has kept us from stopping dead in the middle of a project ... so frustrating when you are working in set windows of time, weather and opportunity.

I think we are getting better at it, tho.

Congrats on the fan. You being in Texas, I can't imagine how you survived this long without a fan ... horses, too. We always had a stall fan for each one. Other than that, they had to gut it out in the field ... there were plenty of shade trees and they were smart enough to stay under them during the hottest part of the day.

Peg

The previous owner had three horses in the pole barn and left a
MaxxAir 24" Direct Drive Barn Fan for me. Also in the gable over
the stalls is a 24" 6 blade shutter fan that will suck your socks
of it you get to close.
Both are so loud they drown out my radio, and I can't work with
out some company.

Denny G

voltage reducers might cut the noise Denny, by slowing the fans

Bill

One word DG....VOLUME. Just kidding. Like Einstein said....it's relative. I'm good to about 98F and 90% humidity, then desire for comfort trumps desire for George Strait.

But then they wouldn't move the air Bill. And the Maxxair is a two speed.
DG

I have an old furnace blower I use in my garage. Set it up by the walk in door to draw air in and point it to blow out to the garage door. Works great for the size of the garage I'm working in (28x32). If that isn't enough, I have 2 more of them I can use if necessary.

... I have a big fan but the noise is bad. Can't hear the radio. I know some are quitter than others but most of the time now I just point a box fan towards me and have at it.

I do have a gable fan to help keep the "attic" cooler but depending on who you listen to they say its not needed and should be used if we have the ridge vent and perforated boxing. I have both and still run the gable fan.... especially when I'm going up in the attic!

I just spent 3 weeks in June, of all day every day working outside on Sun baked Gravel, our in the Sun, working on my 1960 P-20 Step Van, here in Las Vegas...110, 112, maybe 114 out some days there.

Tools get so hot sitting in the Sun, you can not pick them up...have to have a Bucket of Water to drop them in, to cool them off enough to hold them.

Did a lot of Work late at nght with some Clip-On Utility Lights, also, but it was still 101 or so out.

I did wish I had a nice indoor place on smooth Concrete with a Swamp Cooler, to be working on it!

Now I do...I moved, and I have a nice Workshop I can pull it into, nice Swamp Cooler...smooth concrete, good Lighting.

Nice!

I use a portable AC unit and roll it around to where ever I'm working. Its great for taking the heat off you head. I just let it vent up toward the ceiling and have a small bucket for the water drip. I think I paid $295 for it

Not a bad idea Dave, do you keep the shop doors open or closed? Remember where you got it?

Open most days closed when it rains. I got mine at lowes or Home depot
AC link I just use it for spot cooling when it get over 90 in the shop

I can see how sitting in front of it while the fan is blowing
across the cooling coil would keep you cool, as long as you
didn't move away from your spot.
But I don't understand how those can cool a room. The heat it
takes out of the air is pumped right back into the room unless
it's vented to the outside so what ever cooling it's doing is
being offset by the heat it has to get rid of in a closed room.
DG

According to the "overview" it says vent to outside. This is only part of the overview.


PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Model # LP1013WNR Internet # 203656277
Store SKU # 379969




Enjoy portable cooling with the LG Electronics 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner. The 10,000 BTUs of cooling power keep a room up to 300 sq. ft. cool and comfortable and the 2-speed cooling and fan and 2-way air direction help spread the air evenly throughout the room. Digital controls offer precise temperature adjustments, and the remote control lets you control the air conditioner from across the room. Unit must stay upright for 24 hours before use. Unit must be vented to the outside (use included window installation kit and follow detailed installation instructions in the Owner's Manual. Do not use extension cords.
•Estimated Cooling Area (300 sq. ft. /15 ft. x 20 ft. room)
•10,000 BTU cooling ensures your comfort
•This portable unit comes with one (1) hose installation kit; get comfortable with the greatest of ease with casters to allow easy movement to the room that needs cooling so you can comfortably enjoy your room

I'm guessing there is a pretty good temp gradient in the room roof to floor. But our shops down here are mostly metal buildings with roof peak vents so hot air goes up and out anyway. I first heard of these things back during hurricane Ike when folks were using generators. I believe there is an option to run a vent pipe outside in an enclosed room application.

Ah,,,,that makes sense now Alvin, dint bother reading all the fine print.

DG

I use it as spot cooling . It will never cool an entire room. Turn the vent pipe upward toward the ceiling or roof and yes you do have to move it if your not staying in one place, I use it when I'm on the lathe or sitting is one spot for any length of time.

HF sells a good 30in pedestal fan you can get for about $140 on sale with coupon.

Guys one of the best buys I ever made at a swap meet was trading for a "swamp cooler" as we call them in Texas. Recirculating water pump drips water over mesh so you get evaporative cooling. I know they have high dollar one at Lowes & HD but check Craiglist or local greensheets for older units. I spent $ 20 on a new aquarium pump to circulate water and good as new.