The chop shop

[Pullstart 62,877]

I’ve been kind of busy building a little insulated work shop for winter tinkering.  I should be able to heat this little insulated lean-to room with a small electric heater unit fairly easy.  It’s R19 insulated, has some plastic as a vapor barrier and enough lighting to see what I’m doing.  Unfortunately, my 36” door I installed isn’t quite wide enough for rear ends to get through!  For now, I need to pop a few machines apart that are unused or have been set aside for parts.

 

In here now are Chief, Leroy and A C-101 from a local member.

 

I was doubted by Mrs. P when I showed her today that I’m going to pop a few apart.  I’m promptly here to get to work!

 

I even have a mini fridge in here!

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,877]

It’s time to employ the shop vac, it seems!

 

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by pullstart
Photos

[Achto 27,574]

Your mini fridge seems to be a bit low on beverages of the malted type? 

[Pullstart 62,877]

3 minutes ago, Achto said:

Your mini fridge seems to be a bit low on beverages of the malted type? 

happens to the best of us… 

[Pullstart 62,877]

It’s funny what you find when a machine is written off.  Here I thought maybe a flywheel key way sheared.  Running loud and clear, then some crazy intermittent running, then big backfires (stack full of raw fuel) then no fire or backfire.  
 

The ignition coil kill wire was barely touching, but wrapped tight around the implement lift lever.  My guess is it was off and on grounding out while I was mowing 24+” high field grass…

 

I’ll likely still check the flywheel key way but I’m thinking funky wiring.

[ebinmaine 67,497]

Nice little space for warm working there Kev!!

[Pullstart 62,877]

I accomplished almost Mafia status in the chop shop before momma called me to bed.

 

labeling stuff along the way slowed me down a bit, but when everything is either a red, black or painted maroon wire, it helps for whenever I plan to use this stuff again.

[squonk 41,118]

10 hours ago, pullstart said:

Unfortunately, my 36” door I installed isn’t quite wide enough for rear ends to get through!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds like some folks need a diet!

 

I have the same issue with a 33" door. Pop a couple of 6-12 wheels tires on the backs with a couple of lugs and roll them through.

Edited September 23, 2021 by squonk

[Pullstart 62,877]

2 minutes ago, squonk said:

Sounds like some folks need a diet!

 

I have the same issue with a 33" door. Pop a couple of 6-12 wheels tires on the backs with a couple of lugs and roll them through.

Thought about grabbing some 6-12’s, but knew they had only 12-14’ to roll to their demise.  They can do that on 3 wheels 

[ebinmaine 67,497]

Two words men, two words.

 

Double. Doors.

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,877]

6 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Two words men, two words.

 

Double. Doors.

 

 

 

I see seven words bear.  Seven. Words.  

[Retired Wrencher 5,455]

Pull start. When I have to work in the garage in the winter I use a 2 burner mounts on a tank. If it is real cold I use a 3 burner mounted on 40lb tank to heat up for about 20 minutes then go back to the 20lb with a 2 burner. These work well with a little ventilation. there better than the torpedo type no fumes. Just quite clean heat. I think better using a electric heater. Big $$ there. H.D. and Lowes has them. Good luck with you work area.

[ebinmaine 67,497]

9 minutes ago, Retierd Wrencher said:

20lb with a 2 burner

Agreed. I do the same. 

 

We also use electric heaters of different types. 

 

We use 2 or 3 of the inexpensive oil filled electric radiator heaters to keep the shop warm after breaking the chill with the propane. 

 

 

@Retierd Wrencher The technology of electric heaters has advanced enough that the cost is justifiable now. 

 

When we had our big oil spill incident 2 years ago I requested complete removal of the entire oil system. 

 

Changed to electric......

 

My heating costs bill went

⬇️

📉

 

DOWN. 

 

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,455]

Eric I have had these for years now so I am invested in them plus I do not go out there like I did. I never had to refill the 40lb tank yet so that is sign how much I use it. I would say at 6 years now. But thanks for the info those heaters. Have a great day.

[ebinmaine 67,497]

2 minutes ago, Retierd Wrencher said:

. I never had to refill the 40lb tank yet so that is sign how much I use it. I would say at 6 years now. 

Excellent!

 

That's good life span. 

 

I refill my 20 lb tank at least 2 or 3 times a winter.  

 

Last year not so much where we now have the basement with french doors for good access. 

[Lee1977 6,659]

My basement never gets below 64 degrees since I had the insulated 18 ft. garage door installed. I had an uninsulated one I pulled up out side with the C-120 hop off hitting the gear shifter.. The only thing that stopped it

was a fixed extended hitch for the vacuum. I charged into the bottom two section of the door and push them in the hitch hit the ground. It was standing up at a 45 degree angle with the tires spinning on the concrete slab

could get enough traction to go any further. I changed to an insulated door and the insurance co. payed all but $100.

If it gets too cold I do have a 4 ft. fire place down there.

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

I have a 220 electric heater built into the wall of my 24x24 shop, with an 8 foot ceiling and good insulation, it does very well without costing too much.

 

 

Randy

[Skipper 1,788]

The cheapest effective way I could do it, was to hook one of those hot water fed heaters with a fan, to the main heating system. It's pulled along by the main burner that runs on wood pellets, woodchips, grain etc. Burner is already in a separate room in the shop, so easy to install. Quite effective, as it delivers well over 30kw hot air. Room thermostat on the fan, and voila! 

[Pullstart 62,877]

13 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

We use 2 or 3 of the inexpensive oil filled electric radiator heaters to keep the shop warm after breaking the chill with the propane

I’ve been thinking about these.  They seem to be 100% efficient or as close as possible… plus the newer ones have safeties that shut off if they get knocked over.

[Pullstart 62,877]

4 hours ago, Skipper said:

The cheapest effective way I could do it, was to hook one of those hot water fed heaters with a fan, to the main heating system. It's pulled along by the main burner that runs on wood pellets, woodchips, grain etc. Burner is already in a separate room in the shop, so easy to install. Quite effective, as it delivers well over 30kw hot air. Room thermostat on the fan, and voila! 

The main shop has a loop from the outdoor wood boiler, but the shop itself has very poor insulation.  I typically run that pump on a 24hr timer that I can switch on in 15 or 30 minute segments… and run it a few hours at night, a few hours mid-day.  It seems to keep the shop comfortable for sweatshirt weather at least.  

[ebinmaine 67,497]

7 hours ago, pullstart said:

I’ve been thinking about these.  They seem to be 100% efficient or as close as possible… plus the newer ones have safeties that shut off if they get knocked over.

I'd recommend them. 

One thing:

Do NOT use them with an extension cord. 

The directions will state that anyway...

We had to run one on a cord during our oil spill "fun".  Started to melt the control face. 

Luckily we were aware of the issue and found it. 

[Retired Wrencher 5,455]

23 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Excellent!

 

That's good life span. 

 

I refill my 20 lb tank at least 2 or 3 times a winter.  

 

Last year not so much where we now have the basement with french doors for good access. 

Always good to have options Eric.

[Gregor 4,846]

70 degrees in here, regardless of outside temp. Garage is well insulated.

[Pullstart 62,877]

3 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Do NOT use them with an extension cord. 

The directions will state that anyway...

We had to run one on a cord during our oil spill "fun".  Started to melt the control face. 

I am very big on proper amperage.  1500 watts at 110 volts is 13.6 amps.  A minimum 15 amp breaker needs to be dedicated for just one.  IF an extension cord were used, it would need to be at least 12 gauge for my comfort level.  

[lynnmor 7,306]

14 hours ago, pullstart said:

I’ve been thinking about these.  They seem to be 100% efficient or as close as possible… plus the newer ones have safeties that shut off if they get knocked over.

All electric resistance heaters are 100% efficient, whatever wattage you are consuming is turned into heat.  Only a heat pump will give more electric heat per watt.  The style of the resistance heaters is just a matter of convenience and quality.