Replies

1. 
   RW | Jan 19, 2003 04:31am | #1

   I'm not personally aware of any effects of cooler temps on corded tools, but I suppose there's a limit to any motor. It used to get cold enough when I lived in MT that the truck radio wouldn't even play anything until things got running. (And the tires kept a flat spot in them as you backed out of the drive tha-dump, tha-dump . .) At some point, things get too cold to function - but I doubt 20 is that point. -30, maybe. However, any cordless tools - my nicads don't like cold. Let a battery freeze in the truck overnight and it's worthless until it thaws out and gets recharged.

   " Exult O shores, and ring O bells!  / But I with mournful tread,  / Walk the deck my Captain lies,  / Fallen cold and dead" - Whitman

1. 
   GForcier | Jan 19, 2003 07:17am | #6

   Thank you all.

   Your responses are reassuring.

   I have been keeping my mind on safety as my hands get cold and stiffer. Just means a slower pace for periodic trips back into the indoors to thaw out. And I have set up a makeshift glue-up space in the mudroom. Dogs don't seem to mind sharing. Well, just another month to sugaring season, and spring in New England can't be far behind.

   gaf

2. 
   Sprucegum | Jan 19, 2003 04:50am | #2

   Don't worry about the cold until it starts to bother you personally; fingers, toes, nose. The tools can withstand lower temperatures than you can in most cases. Beware - extreme cold will make you more accident prone than you might normally be.

   Keep an eye on your glues and finishes if you keep them in the barn, some are ruined by freezing.

   It's not what you chew, it's how you chew it
3. 
   PTurtiak | Jan 19, 2003 05:26am | #3

   I grew up in Oil Country and the oil wells kept pumping at -30 F and -40 F using electric motors.  I believe the slow start to your jointer can probably be traced to a stiff belt.  The only problems I have had while working in lower temps is cold fingers and stiff extension cords from the equipment to the plugins.  I had to replace the power cord on my delta table saw because it would not bend in the cold.

   I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and biggest pet peeve is that the manufacturers of tools use cords that are only useful when it is warm outside.  A rubber based cord at time of manufacture would probably only add a dollar or two to the price of the machine.

1. 
   riverr1 | Jan 19, 2003 05:36am | #4

   Once worked in a truss shop in Michigan. The big DeWalt RAS was outside under a shed roof. That thing ran whenever the shop was open and never missed a lick. Of course no one ever wanted the job of running it. Cold in the winter, sweat, baking under that tin roof, flies and skeeters in the summer. Never bothered the saw though.

   Don

4. 
   nikkiwood | Jan 19, 2003 06:34am | #5

   I live in "cold country" and have not had any problem with corded tools.

   However, if you are using nail guns and the like which require lubrication, you want to be sure to use an oil specifically formulated for cold weather. Otherwise your tool will seize up. That happened to me when the temp was about 15-20 degrees; I thought the gun was broke, took it in, and the guy smiled and sold me a container of oil. After that, the gun worked perfectly.

   You may have to go to a shop that repairs compressors and air tools to find this sort of low-temp oil. The stuff they sold me was not labeled or branded.

   Edited 1/18/2003 10:35:19 PM ET by nikkiwood

   
   

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   Edited 1/18/2003 10:37:13 PM ET by nikkiwood