Out in the cold!

pathdoc · January 4, 2014, 05:39 PM

For reasons connected with child safety, I keep my guns and all the reloading paraphernalia out in a shed rather than in the house. With a bleak winter setting in, said shed is becoming somewhat inhospitable in the evenings (hell, at any time), and the thought of installing some heating comes strongly to mind.

I'm seeking advice on what's both best and what's NOT advisable. Clearly anything with a naked flame is a no-go; with powders and other flammable stuff about, I just don't want to take the chance. I'd considered an electrically powered oil heater because it would just gently radiate heat & take the chill out of the air without exposed elements or anything potentially hazardous like that.

Most of what's in the stores is fan-driven heaters which blow a stream of hot air, but I'm not keen on them in case they create draughts which mess with the powder scale, although if I pointed the fan away from the loading bench it might work.

One of these days I'm going to get the shed reworked and possibly even install a rangehood for indoor lead-bullet moulding work (a somewhat different topic), but until then I'm just seeking a stop-gap.

Advice, anyone?

4EVERM-14 · January 4, 2014, 06:28 PM

Consider looking at the industrial supply companies.[Mc Master -Carr, MSC, Grainger] They offer a number of unit heaters with a variety of heating sources and mounting options. Gas, electric, propane. A thermostat control can keep the chill out and can be increased when you decide to work in the room.

Gunplummer · January 4, 2014, 06:55 PM

I don't know how big your shed is, but I have been using a kerosene heater in my basement for extra heat for years. I keep a pan of water on top and it keeps the heat from getting the area above it too hot. I never have more than one can of powder on the bench at one time anyway-too easy to mix powders that way. You are not working with dynamite. Just be clean.

pathdoc · January 4, 2014, 07:28 PM

Thanks for advice so far. Electric is probably best as the shed isn't hooked up for anything but that, and will certainly be the least complicated option.

While I consider myself "experienced' in terms of having put together quite a few hundred rounds of rifle & shotgun ammo with no harm done, part of me knows I'm really not much more than a newbie - I'd rather assume the presence of great risks and ask/take things slow than forge bravely on and/or trust in my guardian angel (knowing that said angel is possibly doing double duty and may not always be there).

Bill DeShivs · January 4, 2014, 07:58 PM

Oil-filled heaters work great.

Art Eatman · January 4, 2014, 08:04 PM

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...pace%2Bheaters

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...=space+heaters

hoghunting · January 5, 2014, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Oil-filled heaters work great.

I agree with Bill as the electric oil filled heaters will do a very good job of taking the chill out of the shed. I've had one in my garage for years and it works perfectly.

McShooty · January 5, 2014, 08:03 PM

Another vote for the oil filled, the radiator shaped ones. I have a Honeywell in my 10 x 12' gun room in my garage. I have it on 24/7 in the winter with never a problem. All my guns and my reloading bench are in this room. It is a comfy place to work on guns and reload.

January 4, 2014, 05:39 PM	#1
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	Out in the cold! For reasons connected with child safety, I keep my guns and all the reloading paraphernalia out in a shed rather than in the house. With a bleak winter setting in, said shed is becoming somewhat inhospitable in the evenings (hell, at any time), and the thought of installing some heating comes strongly to mind. I'm seeking advice on what's both best and what's NOT advisable. Clearly anything with a naked flame is a no-go; with powders and other flammable stuff about, I just don't want to take the chance. I'd considered an electrically powered oil heater because it would just gently radiate heat & take the chill out of the air without exposed elements or anything potentially hazardous like that. Most of what's in the stores is fan-driven heaters which blow a stream of hot air, but I'm not keen on them in case they create draughts which mess with the powder scale, although if I pointed the fan away from the loading bench it might work. One of these days I'm going to get the shed reworked and possibly even install a rangehood for indoor lead-bullet moulding work (a somewhat different topic), but until then I'm just seeking a stop-gap. Advice, anyone?

January 4, 2014, 06:28 PM	#2
4EVERM-14 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Pennsy Posts: 720	Consider looking at the industrial supply companies.[Mc Master -Carr, MSC, Grainger] They offer a number of unit heaters with a variety of heating sources and mounting options. Gas, electric, propane. A thermostat control can keep the chill out and can be increased when you decide to work in the room. __________________ David NRA Benefactor Member Distinguished Rifleman #731 Presidents 100

January 4, 2014, 07:58 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,988	Oil-filled heaters work great. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 4, 2014, 06:55 PM	#3
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	I don't know how big your shed is, but I have been using a kerosene heater in my basement for extra heat for years. I keep a pan of water on top and it keeps the heat from getting the area above it too hot. I never have more than one can of powder on the bench at one time anyway-too easy to mix powders that way. You are not working with dynamite. Just be clean.

January 4, 2014, 07:28 PM	#4
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	Thanks for advice so far. Electric is probably best as the shed isn't hooked up for anything but that, and will certainly be the least complicated option. While I consider myself "experienced' in terms of having put together quite a few hundred rounds of rifle & shotgun ammo with no harm done, part of me knows I'm really not much more than a newbie - I'd rather assume the presence of great risks and ask/take things slow than forge bravely on and/or trust in my guardian angel (knowing that said angel is possibly doing double duty and may not always be there).

January 4, 2014, 08:04 PM	#6
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...pace%2Bheaters http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...=space+heaters

January 5, 2014, 08:03 PM	#8
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Another vote for the oil filled, the radiator shaped ones. I have a Honeywell in my 10 x 12' gun room in my garage. I have it on 24/7 in the winter with never a problem. All my guns and my reloading bench are in this room. It is a comfy place to work on guns and reload.