TheSamba.com :: View topic - I just extended the "range" of the garage

Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:08 pm

I've had a Vermont Castings Intrepid, circa 1986, in the garage since picking it up in my '85 Westy after vacation last April.

Today, my good friend Jim and I hooked it up. She's sitting beside me now in the garage ranging from 400-500 degrees.

Needless to say, I'll be working on my Thing more in the garage this winter. My old Air cooled BMW motorcycles too.

Wunderbar!

Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:37 pm

WOW!!!! heated indoor workspace. Heaven. Big congrats..

I guess that we now have Vermont Casting envy..

Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:20 pm

Keep looking for early 80's Vermont Casting stoves on eBay. Great investment, at a fraction of a price of their real worth. They are, without question, some of the most useful and best things built in the US.

Much like our Things are one of the most useful and best things sold by Volkswagen in the US in many, many years.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:10 pm

I've go an old electric oven I use for powder coating. When it gets really cold (that's 40-degrees by Las Vegas standards), I open the oven door and use a fan to blow the warm air into the garage. Works like a charm.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:08 pm

To extend the range of my garage, I'd rather need A/C, during summer months 8)

Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:26 am

I have an A/C too, but rarely need to use it. I couple old Hunter ceiling fans keep the air moving.

And reversed, they keep it warmer when the stove is hot.

Time to pull the Westfalia in for a once over. It stranded my wife this morning on the way to mountain bike. Mind you, it started for me.

Guess I have the touch ;)

Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:02 am

I prefer it a little cooler (45-50 degrees) in the garage when I'm working so as long as the door is closed and it's not sub freezing out, I'm usually ok. I did get one of those portable oil heaters to take the chill off when it's really cold. I can typically fire it up and let it run for 30 minutes or so, then the garage is up to my comfort range.

Of course, I always wear work gloves when working so hot weather is my nemesis. But work gloves, a turtleneck, sweat shirt and sweat pants are standard work gear for me.

Would love to have an old pot belly stove out there, something to throw an old kettle on to keep the "shop" from being so dry and to have hot water for coffee or tea. That and I could burn off some of this old wood out in our yard. :)

Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:40 pm

I haven't checked internal temps here today, but it's 38F now at 2:30pm local. Not likely to warm up appreciably either.

It's comfortable in side the garage now. Probably 50-55F. Stove has settled down to 400F. If I get chilled, I just move closer to the stove for a few moments, then back to work.

Hmmm. This is so comfortable, I might over-restore my Thing and Westy :)

Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:50 pm

I have a heated garage, too. It's in Phoenix. Year round heat. Even insulated my garage door to keep the heat outside.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:33 pm

i work in the dirt/mud outside without cover...like a real man!!!

...i wish i had a garage!

Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:48 am

I'm lucky. All the houses I've lived in for the past 15 years have either had a garage or a carport.

Happily, Chateau Loco, my crib of the moment (and possibly for the rest of my days pounding the earth) has a carport attached to the garage, which easily houses three VWs (Westy, Thing, Robo Beetle Convertible) and five motorcycles.