Replies

1. 
   esch5995 | Nov 10, 2021 08:58am | #1

   I worked for years in an unheated Western PA garage with no ill effects on my machines. Just keep them oiled down and if there use is in frequent I might consider covers. Short of rust machines are pretty durable and not effected much by temperature.

   I will add in severe cold be careful with plastic parts which can be the most vulnerable depending on the material.

2. 
   bobr2 | Nov 10, 2021 09:43am | #2

   I have a shop in Southeast OH which I heat only when I'm using it. Rust is the only problem I have. I warm up the shop when I need it and go right to work. The machines are fine even though they are still quite cold.

3. 
   ysu65 | Nov 10, 2021 02:04pm | #3

   I have a stand alone shop in upstate NY. It has R-19 insulation and a double door. that is no overhead garage door. I only heat with propane, when I am using it. No rust problems. Temperature inside will drop to 35 or so during our coldest -15 days. No problems with anything.

4. 
   bilyo | Nov 10, 2021 02:48pm | #4

   At certain times, temperature/humidity conditions will occur that will result in condensation on your cold tools. Of course, this will result in rust. Just be sure to keep your tools protected with wax or other products for the purpose. Close fitting covers will also help. It also helps to keep small tools in drawers or cabinets. Cold alone will not usually cause any problems.

5. 
   EdWeber | Nov 10, 2021 02:49pm | #5

   As they say, it's not the heat, it's the humidity.
   Other than combating rust, some belts can get a bit of a set in them and thump a bit until they warm up. In extreme cases, some plastics can have a pretty big thermal expansion/contraction, depending on what and where this may cause an issue or two.

6. 
   pantalones868 | Nov 10, 2021 02:59pm | #6

   Well, metal will expand / contract with temperature change. Would the difference be measurable? Only your dial indecatur would know for sure. If you were building for aerospace this might be a concern. I worked with a surveyor once, old school, with a " chain" which was really a calibrated metal tape. There were calculations for adjusting for the temperature at the time of reading. So yes there's a difference. Enough to make a difference in wood working? I doubt it.

7. 
   john_c2 | Nov 10, 2021 05:31pm | #7

   My biggest worry would be condensation. Cold things in a warm room will "sweat."

8. 
   mikaol | Nov 10, 2021 06:21pm | #8

   I have a basement shop in a 40s house in Iowa, so no heat. Last year during the polar vortex the temp outside reached -50 with -70 wind chills. My shop was a sweltering -5 on a good day. I used 3 space heaters & a dehumidifier that runs 24/7/365.
   My biggest problem was cold fingers & feet. Most modern machines are like computers, they work better in the cold than in the heat. Way I see it is you'll have more problems with wood & finishes. I move all my finishes upstairs during bad cold to keep them before they cloud or thicken.
   I finish mainly with oils (tung, linseed, Danish oil, varnish oil,) so believe me when I say once oils get cloudy they become useless.
   Again, temps won't overly-harm your machines as much as cold will kill most finishes.
   Mikaol

9. 
   jharveyb | Nov 10, 2021 08:42pm | #9

   Agree that humidity, and possible condensation on cold metal leading to rusting, is the only issue. However, I would like to warn all who read this to avoid wearing gloves around machinery. The glove can pull your hand into the machine before you realize there is contact. I have known 2 people who had this happen, one just lost his little finger on his left hand to a jointer, the other lost her fingers in a sorghum stalk crusher (and only had an arm left because a co-worker had noticed the danger before it happened and mentally prepared a plan of action in advance. He didn't have the authority to stop her before the accident occurred.) And if you are bundled up in the cold, make sure there is no loose clothing, scarves, or whatever than can get caught in a machine.
   OK, while I am at it, I used to have a longer beard and hair, until 2 people I knew had theirs enter machines. The guy with a goatee in his router got off OK; the guy with his long pony tail in an agriculture machine basically got scalped. No fun! So now I keep my hair and beard short around machines as well.
   Stay safe and have fun!

10. 
    gulfstar | Nov 10, 2021 08:50pm | #10

    I have worked in unheated garages for 45 years in Canada, I think you will be fine, only age has made me use a space heater in the later years to bring the temperature from a few degrees C to 10 or 12C, at some point I keep the glue bottle and finishes inside the house so they apply normally once the shop has heated some.

1. 
   esch5995 | Nov 10, 2021 09:26pm | #11

   A simple hot box, a simple plywood box with a door and an old fashioned 100W tungsten bulb can usually keep your glues warm enough to use in most winter climates. Line it with foil lined insulation and it can be quite effective in keeping supplies warm and usable.

11. 
    rob_ss | Nov 11, 2021 01:25am | #12

    I have an unheated shop with (for the last year) no door.
    This results in swings in temperature and humidity exactly equal to the outside.
    My environment is relatively benign though - -4c to +8C in winter, +8 to +30 in Summer. Humidity varies but is seldom above 80% unless it's raining.
    I get a blush of rust on my machine tables in Spring and Autumn. Provided this is addressed as soon as it occurs with a swipe of WD40 and 0000 grade steel wool, it goes no further. I usually polish the machines with paste wax after, just because. I don't think it makes any difference.

1. 
   john_c2 | Nov 11, 2021 04:22pm | #16

   No door? Inconceivable.

1. 
   rob_ss | Nov 12, 2021 01:48am | #17

   I am currently building a pair of coach house style doors. The divided lights are a pain so I've been avoiding the job...

12. 
    jkljh | Nov 11, 2021 09:44am | #13

    Thanks everyone for the replies!
    Only the jointer and the portable thickness planer will be in the garage. And my dust collector. No attempt at heating so condensation shouldn't be a problem. My hand tools, wood, and finishing supplies are in my heated shop. Along with my washer and dryer. Keeping shavings and wood chips out of the clean laundry can be tricky at times, LOL.

13. 
    jkljh | Nov 11, 2021 09:48am | #14

    My biggest problem for the machines in the garage could be keeping the mice from making nests in the nooks and crannies of the machines, like one did with my snow blower. Mouse traps get a lot of mileage at my place.

14. 
    bobr2 | Nov 11, 2021 12:09pm | #15

    gkjhgijkgh,

    You will likely still have condensation problems in the spring which is when I have problems. The machines are cold and the first time you open the garage on a warm day the condensation starts. There are a variety of good rust inhibitors out there. Just steer clear of silicone ones because the silicone can cause problems with some finishes. Mice a problems for me too.