Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Create Account now to join.
  • Login:

Welcome to the NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.

ZeroPak Alpine


User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 28
Like Tree15Likes

Thread: Heating Gunsmithing workshop

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    canterbury
    Posts
    5,244

    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

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    canterbury
    Posts
    5,244
    A wood fire or diesel / kero workshop heater would void my commercial insurance

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    christchurch
    Posts
    17,095
    first rule is get it dry, dehumidifier not DVS con job

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Canterbury
    Posts
    380
    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?

  5. #5
    Member SixtyTen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    477
    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.
    Moa Hunter and 40mm like this.

  6. #6
    Member mopheadrob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    591
    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...
    Moa Hunter likes this.

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Porirua
    Posts
    1,308
    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.
    Cordite likes this.
    Remember the 7 “P”s; Pryor Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    canterbury
    Posts
    5,244
    Quote Originally Posted by 2post View Post
    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

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Porirua
    Posts
    1,308
    Quote Originally Posted by akaroa1 View Post
    @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.
    Moa Hunter likes this.
    Remember the 7 “P”s; Pryor Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Up north
    Posts
    233
    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.

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Jafa land
    Posts
    5,318
    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

  12. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Porirua
    Posts
    1,308
    [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.
    Remember the 7 “P”s; Pryor Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

  13. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    canterbury
    Posts
    5,244
    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
    Sideshow and dannyb like this.

  14. #14
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    You do not want me as your neighbour
    Posts
    213
    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.

  15. #15
    Member Sideshow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    7,900
    Quote Originally Posted by GDMP View Post
    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
    It's all fun and games till Darthvader comes along
    I respect your beliefs but don't impose them on me.

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Old style gunsmithing
    By Friwi in forum Projects and Home Builds
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 20-06-2021, 04:16 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Welcome to NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums! We see you're new here, or arn't logged in. Create an account, and Login for full access including our FREE BUY and SELL section Register NOW!!