Replies

1. 
   LD | May 23, 2004 09:10pm | #1

   I think it is imperative that you control the humidity in your shop.  The moisture you see is only the beginning of the problem.  Your machines will rust, not just on the visible surfaces, but inside on the working mechanisms.  You will have to continually polish and wax your working surfaces.

   The first thing to do is insulate your shop.  If not you will be trying to dehumidify the world.  I have a 20 x 30 shop built on a concrete floor.  After insulating it well, a single dehumidifier controlled things. 

   Air conditioning will aid in creature comforts, but it not near as effective as a dehumidifier.  Air conditioning does some dehumidifying, but cool air doesn't hold as much water as warm air.

   Dave

1. 
   jimmyk | May 24, 2004 01:53am | #2

   It's all insulated, but there's no telling how well without tearing into the interior walls. I know when the wind is gusting, none of it seems to blow through the shop so I think it's wrapped pretty well. The ceiling has that foil 4 x 8 sheet insulation stapled to it with the seams taped. It's the huge volume of space the I think will be the problem (30 x 50 x 12 high). Maybe 2 dehumidifiers will work for me if one worked for you

1. 
   LD | May 24, 2004 05:09am | #5

   You have almost 4 times the volume I have.  So you may need more than 2 dehumidifiers.

   Have you considered dropping your ceiling? 

   As a note, I aim for a 50-55% RH and that seems to work well for me.  I also monitor the RH outside and if the temp and RH are OK, I open my shop to get a fresh air exchange.

   Dave

1. 
   jimmyk | May 25, 2004 04:20pm | #9

   Ceiling is actually 10' 2", so that helps a bit. I'll seal up the building better also and try two dehumidifiers. Maybe add a dedicated partitioned storage area with it's own dehumidifier.

   Thanks.

2. 
   EdHarrow | May 24, 2004 02:12am | #3

   That concrete slap must have really hurt.  ;-)

   Can you do a bit of partitioning to reduce the volume requiring humidity control?  How air-tight is the structure?  Is the floor insulated?  Sleepers, foam panels, and plywood might be beneficial.  Is there much transient activity, in and out?  If so an air-lock type of arrangement might prove useful. 

1. 
   jimmyk | May 25, 2004 04:18pm | #7

   The concrete wasn't slippery, but the painted surfaces of the machines were slick and the cast iron was rusty. I think the plywood floor would be great, but it'd cost thousands of $$'s and I could buy many dehumidifiers with thousands of $$. I'll seal up the building better and try two dehumidifiers. Maybe add a dedicated partitioned storage area with it's own dehumidifier.

   Thanks.

3. 
   WayneL5 | May 24, 2004 04:28am | #4

   If your floor is upainted, then painting the concrete will help some.

1. 
   jimmyk | May 25, 2004 04:19pm | #8

   Yes, good idea. Cheap and fast. That Drilock paint may do the trick.

   Thanks.

4. 
   tsproul | May 24, 2004 07:31pm | #6

   You'll also want some fans/air cleaners to circulate the air in a shop that size to help the dehumidifier(s). Insulation is fine...but you need to seal the space to minimze the amount of humid air leaking in through windows and other cracks. An air conditioner will also help a lot....at 95% humidity, it must a be bear to work in there without sweating all over the work and the tools and having sweat drip on your safety glasses etc......

   Tim

   On the neverending quest for wood.

1. 
   jimmyk | May 25, 2004 04:23pm | #10

   Safety glasses? What are those for? Just kidding...yea, things fog up pretty easy, but it's not as bad in the shop as it is outside, which leads me to think the shop is sealed pretty well and 2 dehumidifiers may do the trick of removing the moisture that is lingering.

   Thanks.