JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Jan 4, 2020 8:41:34 GMT -5
Hey folks! What do you do when the temp gets low? My garage where all of my rock gear is located gets fairly cold, usually 40-50. Do y’all just turn on a heater and keep on grinding? I’ve put warm water in the bucket for my cabbing machine but I still seem to get chilly from spray, even with apron.
What are your tricks?
|
|
|
|
Post by knave on Jan 4, 2020 9:09:04 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Jan 4, 2020 9:32:03 GMT -5
I have a separate shop but its unheated. I keep an electric teakettle to warm enough water to heat the water for my cab machines. I have a tiny electric cube space heater that given an hour can raise the shed to reasonable working temp, but this is New Mexico not the Arctic. Even surgical gloves when I'm washing tumbling material Outside. If you are getting your body wet (apron or not) you may be running more water on your grinding wheels than you need. If you can hold your hand near the spinning wheel and feel water mist/spray and your wheels don't build up residue, you have enough water. If its wetting your belt line and shoes, you have excessive water flow. I hav3e a real luxury apron designed by friend. Its a waterproof vinyl but has the lower edge sewed up to form a trough to catch the water running down the apron (and an occasional stone dropped by a careless operator).
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
|
Post by Fossilman on Jan 4, 2020 10:45:08 GMT -5
I shut it all down in the winter months and just start sorting through the rocks for next spring and summer projects... It takes me awhile and its fun..
Before you know it spring is here... (I hate cold fingers and wet clothes)..
|
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Jan 4, 2020 11:15:51 GMT -5
My work area is a space outside the master bedroom under the roof. I am protected from the rain and sun but not the cold. When I am really motivated I may do some work for short periods before my hands get too cold. I've been sick and my back has been acting up so I'm hoping that by the time I'm physically ready the temperature will warm up. Currently, 51 degrees and rainy. Ideally I want it to be 60+.
|
|
oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
|
Post by oldschoolrocker on Jan 4, 2020 11:46:09 GMT -5
I live in Houston Tx so end up spending more time in garage in winter than brutally hot and humid summer. But winter here usually means upper 40s at night and upper 50s/low60s during day. So garage isnt too bad until late late night. I do dremel work and tile saw work n garage. Use pitchers of hot water from house when dremeling and have small heater under table I work at. Tile saw is not heated water so I throw on rain gear and take breaks when hands get too cold. And if unusually cold then I sort/organize rocks if have desire to do something with rocks
|
|
|
|
Post by knave on Jan 4, 2020 11:59:02 GMT -5
House is quite big and the furnace room was begging to be cleaned out. Already has an old melamine countertop in there, water and drain a few steps away. Setting up shop next to the furnace. Warmth in the winter, shade in the summer you know.
|
|
|
|
Post by greig on Jan 4, 2020 13:26:47 GMT -5
My saw is still outside. I avoid days when it is really cold. We have already had -22. Today is hovering around freezing and I am doing some cutting and taking some breaks to warm up (and go pee). Cold on the hands makes for some interesting body responses.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jan 4, 2020 13:30:53 GMT -5
I do like Fossilman. I organize and "play" with rocks- sorting, marking them out, etc. I primarily focus on jewelry in the winter. This Dec and so far in Jan it has been freaky unseasonable warm (broke a record of 75 the other day), but due to the holidays I have been unable to take advantage of it. DH goes back to work Mon, so maybe I can get some in before it turns cold for real. |
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jan 4, 2020 13:31:29 GMT -5
My saw is still outside. I avoid days when it is really cold. We have already had -22. Today is hovering around freezing and I am doing some cutting and taking some breaks to warm up (and go pee). Cold on the hands makes for some interesting body responses. You are my hero. OMG. I can't even imagine..... |
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Jan 11, 2020 9:24:29 GMT -5
It’s supposed to snow every day this next week, so I’m considering bringing saw inside and putting up some plastic or setting up shop vac to control dust. If only I knew what I was doing with jewelry and shapes. I need to watch some vids about creating cabs and jewelry. Right now my jewelry making is limited to gluing bails on beautiful pieces coming out of my tumbler (freeforms?). I am going to start preforming with saw/dremel, drilling holes and then tumbling to try my hand at less serendipitous jewelry making. 🤠
I picked up a tool chest from CL, or rather it was delivered, and the standing height is perfect for me... that never happens. For 40 bucks this very nice metal tool chest on wheels will become my cabbing station. Not that I’m turning out anything great yet but I use the cabber (another CL find) to polish thundereggs. I find it funny that I have spent more on supplies for rather on than equipment.
Any suggestions on how to “dress” the metal top of the tool cart so I don’t ruin it with the cabber are welcome. The only ideas I have are a food service tray (to catch water) on a rubber pad with perhaps a towel underneath all of it.
I realize this post touches on several points that could be in other threads... thanks for bearing with me in that!!
|
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Jan 11, 2020 9:29:26 GMT -5
House is quite big and the furnace room was begging to be cleaned out. Already has an old melamine countertop in there, water and drain a few steps away. Setting up shop next to the furnace. Warmth in the winter, shade in the summer you know. Lucky you. Sounds perfect. My insulated garage stays around 47 these days. No heater will raise it more than 3 or 4 degrees though. Lots of heat escape through wood garage door I’m sure. It gets cold at night in the high desert, concrete gives no chance for a heater to warm it up. May bring saw in and rig the shop vac to catch dust. Having a saw with a nice blade is a one week old novelty and I’m jonesing to be out cutting. Darn precipitation! I have my dremel and press on the workbench for right now, just sorting and drilling holes. Need to pick up some jewelry findings at Michaels today. |
|
|
|
Post by knave on Jan 11, 2020 9:36:08 GMT -5
Depends how much you need to access the drawers but I was thinking about a gas grill cover... would probably cost as much as the tool chest lol
|
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Jan 28, 2020 7:53:27 GMT -5
Depends how much you need to access the drawers but I was thinking about a gas grill cover... would probably cost as much as the tool chest lol I went with a rubber backed rug for the top with the Rubbermaid tub (thing big) lid to contain water. So far no complaints. |
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Jan 28, 2020 8:04:57 GMT -5
Another thought is putting a piece of stone counter on top of the rubber rug.
|
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Jan 28, 2020 19:16:47 GMT -5
Another thought is putting a piece of stone counter on top of the rubber rug. I might but still need something to contain the water coming off of the expandable wheel (which I’m shielding with a rubber pad currently). |
|
