[1930u]

For those who need quick heat.

Over the years I have had many different types of shop heaters. Recently, I found a deal on craigslist and bought a new 100,000 BTU Reddy heater. Wow this thing really works great and it’s multi fuel accepting various grades of diesel, kerosene and other fuel type oils. Runs 18 hours on a 13.5 gallon tank full. I’m running #1 diesel and no fumes or odors. It’s much quieter then other units I’ve had.

My hot rod shop is about 2500 s.f. with no insulation. It was 20-36 degrees yesterday and I was working in a comfortable 50-60 degree shop. I have never fully trusted these things so I always stay with it and leave a overhead door open about 3”s for fresh air. Even with the door open it kept up and cycled on and off perfectly.

By far the best torpedo heater I’ve had.

[1930u]

Originally Posted by 1930u

For those who need quick heat.

Over the years I have had many different types of shop heaters. Recently, I found a deal on craigslist and bought a new 100,000 BTU Reddy heater. Wow this thing really works great and it’s multi fuel accepting various grades of diesel, kerosene and other fuel type oils. Runs 18 hours on a 13.5 gallon tank full. I’m running #1 diesel and no fumes or odors. It’s much quieter then other units I’ve had.

My hot rod shop is about 2500 s.f. with no insulation. It was 20-36 degrees yesterday and I was working in a comfortable 50-60 degree shop. I have never fully trusted these things so I always stay with it and leave a overhead door open about 3”s for fresh air. Even with the door open it kept up and cycled on and off perfectly.

By far the best torpedo heater I’ve had.

forgot picture

[oldred]

These things do work as good as you say they do (I have two of them ) BUT, heed the warning about using them in enclosed spaces! I know you said you are taking precautions for that but I thought I would add to the safety warning. While not as bad as some heaters they can still make you sick if you run them without enough ventilation even if no odor is apparent. Severe sinus problems and headache seems to be the biggest problems most people complain about with this type of heater but it simply does not need to happen, all it takes is proper ventilation and there will be no problem.

[old fords]

yesterday I bought an All-Pro forced air heater. It runs off propane and puts out 40,000 btu. Our shop is 30x30x12. It gets to about 40 in their and I would like to get it around 65

[wildman1932]

You don't want to use these with body work in mind. It will be fish eye city. I have used them before and be very carefull of the fumes. Very carefull.

[oldred]

Originally Posted by wildman1932

You don't want to use these with body work in mind. It will be fish eye city. I have used them before and be very carefull of the fumes. Very carefull.

These things are a real no-no for paint shops but still some people do use them for that, or at least try to. Also I would not want to depend on them (the fuel oil type) for full time heating either because of the unstable fuel costs that could make them too expensive to use but for quick heat they are unbeatable!

[66GMC]

Insulate, gentlemen ... it's BY FAR the least expensive option.

An overhead natural gas infra-red heater is not all that expensive either to buy or to run either.

I bought a CALCANA 50,000 BTU unit for my 24 x 34 x 10 garage, and the cats and I love it!

[oldred]

Originally Posted by 66GMC

Insulate, gentlemen ... it's BY FAR the least expensive option.

Best advice so far!

With fuel costs being what they are today I just can't imagine trying to heat an uninsulated shop. Insulation will pay for itself in short order and make the shop a heck of a lot more comfortable in the meantime. Insulation is FAR cheaper than any kind of fuel fired or electric heat!

[66GMC]

Thanks Oldred.

As a bonus ... that insulation works wonders in the summertime, too.
It was considerably cooler ... "room temperature" ... when it was hot enough outside to make your skin leak while taking out the garbage.

[Mrwood]

I use a wood stove in my uninsulated garage, and i can have it up to 70 degrees in less than 15 minutes. It has two fans under it and blows air out of a 12" round outlet on top. Real cheap heat, and no smell.

[F&J]

Well, I say no to a torpedo.

6 years ago I was in a situation where I needed quick heat for a 24x24 garage. I bought a new LPG one from home depot or lowes. I ran it for maybe a half hour with one window open.

I noticed I did not feel well and decided to go in the house for a break. I passed out as I sat down on the couch, and I was "out" for 1.5 hours. The way they "eat" the oxygen and pollute what's left, WILL sneak up on you gradually, and you will be not in the correct mind to know that it is making you ill. That's why when I did not feel good, I did NOT have the normal thinking ability to even think the heater was causing it. I thank god for guiding me to the house, as I was a single parent with a kid who needed a live dad.

No freaking car project is worth the risk! Put the bucks up to do it safely.

[matt167]

I just bought a 15,000 BTU Infared tank top heater ( runs off 20# propane tanks ) and it lasts about 24 hrs per tank on high, but I don't turn it above medium.. in my Tent garage I can get it up to really comfterble temps for working ( 50-60* ). and it's great... I havn't felt ill from it and I'v been in there a for hours at a pop... of course it is a tent garage so it is fairly well vented

[1930u]

Originally Posted by oldred

Best advice so far!

With fuel costs being what they are today I just can't imagine trying to heat an uninsulated shop. Insulation will pay for itself in short order and make the shop a heck of a lot more comfortable in the meantime. Insulation is FAR cheaper than any kind of fuel fired or electric heat!

I agree on the insulation. I have one 24 X 40 insulated parking/storage garage and it is nice. I very seldom have to turn the furnace on. Even in the worst winters it stays over 40 in there.

I do plan on insulating my larger workshop too...I just want to wait until I get the hotrod done. After that I'm done building cars, so I'll move everything out insulate and drywall.

[66GMC]

Originally Posted by 1930u

After that I'm done building cars, so I'll move everything out insulate and drywall.

If I could make another suggestion ... (actually pass on one that was given to me on this board)

Use 1/2" PLYWOOD on the walls.

1. It's "tougher". It will take a HARD bump and not break.
2. You can drive a screw into it ANYWHERE
3. It's only slightly more costly (materials), but cheaper (laborwise) to install
4. It's a garage, not a living room.

A picture from my project journal

[boomer]

66GMC has the right idea. The heated area of my shop is 40'X44'X12'. The walls have R-19 insulation and the cieling has R-30. I'm using a natural gas fired 125,000 BTU Re-verbaray overhead radiant heater. It cycles about 4 times an hour and stays on for about 5 minutes. Holding the shop at 65 deg with an outside temp of 20 deg. Also on the walls I put a 1X6 toe board next to the floor. Above that 1/2" OSB, and drywall the rest of the way up.