Thread: Heating Gunsmithing workshop

I'm making plans to completely rearrange the machinery in my workshop to create a special self contained area for the gunsmithing machines and equipement

The big question is
How to safely heat a 25m2 section so that I can go out there wet days and in the evenings ?

My complete workshop is 175m2 and contains a full joinery workshop
So by separating the engineering gear into its own space it will stop dust getting on those machines
And it will stop swarf and oil getting on the joinery stuff

But it's not entirely practical to use a wood stove for this heating because of the high risk of fire in the joinery shop
The 25m2 gunsmithing area will have a dividing wall and an average stud of 2.7m
I will insulate the walls, ceiling and much of the dividing wall.
I would like it to be able to be heated relatively quickly at least to a level that is comfortable for me and the machines
Options
Heat Pump
Infrared
Conventional

Anyone with experience of engineering or mechanical workshop heating, I would appreciate your thoughts

It's been an exceptionally wet winter here and the machines are drenched in condensation at times
I want to be able to create a space that I can make more comfortable to be in at any time and for longer periods
The new walls will be large hinged sections so I can get new machines in and out
I will also be installing some decent lighting so I can actually see what I am doing

A wood fire or diesel / kero workshop heater would void my commercial insurance

first rule is get it dry, dehumidifier not DVS con job

I worked as a boat builder years ago and we had a woodburning stove in the joinery shop but yes I get the fire risk concern.
If you just want to pop out for a few hours in the evening you want to get some heat going fast so how about something like this
https://www.topmaq.co.nz/industrial-...-15kw-heel2150
I have got the much smaller single-phase one in my garage and it's OK for the money - might be a cheapish option for your 25m2 area?

Could you build build a passive air heating system on that is heated by the sun on the roof or a north facing external wall? small to medium fan that is solar powered to draw the air through a network of black pipe or something, ducted into your workspace. Not super powerful, but runs whenever there is sun, so should keep a small, well insulated space at a reasonable temperature all the time so its not a mission to heat up a bit more when you want to use it. Should also reduce the amount of condensation your getting.

Seems to be a common thing on houses in places like Scandinavia/Canada/Alaska.

It probably wont be the whole solution, but it might mean you can use a much smaller heater for less time.

General rule for a smaller area of an open space OR when you can't keep it closed & insulated is infra-red. That way you're heating surfaces, not the air. Will also give you an instant sense of warmth. Just depends on whether you can locate & direct the heater appropriately... you may end up with a very warm head and very cold feet...

Window rattler is the way to go. They’re self contained and anyone with handyman skills can fit them.
https://www.greeonline.com/products/...oner-heat-pump
Just the first one I could find on line
Plus they are cheap.

Originally Posted by 2post

Window rattler is the way to go. They’re self contained and anyone with handyman skills can fit them.
https://www.greeonline.com/products/...oner-heat-pump
Just the first one I could find on line
Plus they are cheap.

@2post I think I probably could be classified as above average " handyman skill " as I'm a commercial joiner and Licensed Builder

Yes a self contained heat pump was one option I had a quick look at and will dig into further
There are some complete ready to go units that only need air pipes fitted to outdoors
And don't required electrician or refrigeration engineers

Originally Posted by akaroa1

@2post I think I probably could be classified as above average " handyman skill " as I'm a commercial joiner and Licensed Builder

Yes a self contained heat pump was one option I had a quick look at and will dig into further
There are some complete ready to go units that only need air pipes fitted to outdoors
And don't required electrician or refrigeration engineers

I thought you would have no trouble.
The other option I just thought of is a bus heater they burn diesel and can be easily adapted. You could put one in a box outside and duct the heat in.
Let me know if I can help sourcing a window unit as I have a few options available to me.

I have just gone through a similar process although my workshop isn't as big, I looked at all sorts and ended up with a infared heater on a tripod I can move around as I work in different places. Apparently the most effecient electrical heater.

The window rattler would have the advantage of dehumidifier and cooling in summer, although I was lead to believe they were banned in NZ years ago due to them having a tendancy to fall out and down onto foot paths.

You can buy a silica gel dehumidifier unit and install an extract fan or two. Then a normal heat pump would heat it up nicely just needs a sparky and a fridgie to do it properly and would keep insurance happy

[NZD$382.42 12% OFF]Mini All In One 12V 8KW Diesel Air Heater Car Heater LCD Remote Switch for Trucks Bus Trailer Parking Heater Car Electronics from Automobiles & Motorcycles on banggood https://banggood.app.link/ZZjsDH7iOib

Just and example of a small oil heater. It has to exhaust outside or it’ll kill you. These have a heat exchanger so can draw in fresh air as long as the exhaust is far enough away, that will help with dehumidifying.

Just to clarify that this is an area in an existing workshop
There is a 150mm thick concrete floor slab
Exterior wall is 200mm thick concrete to 1m high and then timber framed

Infrared and self contained heat pump look like practical options

Yes I will run a dehumidifier in this space
It was previously pointless in the whole 175m2 workshop because the main 150m2 area has a 4.2m stud
So hopeless to hear and vast volume to dehumidifie
Also I have a large creek very close so the relative humidity can be very high at times

Thanks for the response so far

I had a similar area - insulated and lined - Just used an Aircon unit - $2,850 installed - and it is brilliant.

Once up to temperature the insulation holds the warmth brilliantly - always dry and pleasant - and added bonus is you can set the electronics by remote.

Originally Posted by GDMP

We recently had a heatpump installed in our workshop.....set up quite high so as not to ingest to much dust.Works well and provides pretty much instant heat.

What’s the specs on that @GDMP ? Cheers