Humidity problems

[White Rabbit]

For a lot of makers, room in the shop is a serious problem. I am probably the luckiest maker however, in that I have entire two floor carriage house to use. And its great (albeit a bit messy). However, since it is over 100 years old and raised off the ground, I have significant problems witht he humidity in the shop. So far I have been covering all my tools with paste wax and periodically checking them for signs of rust, but having to spend a good deal of every sunday to clean up tools takes a large amount of time out of my relatively small supply for it.

I don't have the financial means to continuously run several dehumidifiers and even if I did I'm doubtful about how much effect they would have in such a large space that is so poorly sealed.

So I come to all of the wonderful people on this forum to see if anyone has had similar problems, possible solutions, or really any advice at all.


Thanks
Tomas

 

[McAhron]

What kind of ventilation is present.A couple roof exhaust fans could make a significant difference.If the floor is still dirt a thin tar and gravel layer would help a lot.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Lowering humidity isn't the main problem. You need air flow. You are in a colder climate, where there is a reasonable amount of moisture in the air and it gets cold at night. Every night the things with more thermal mass.....the metal objects...... in your shop get cold. In the morning when the temperature ,and humidity, rise, the colder metal objects are where the moisture will condense. These minute drops make fine rust quickly. If moisture doesn't condense, rust doesn't grow. Put some vent fans on the building, and run a fan of two blowing on you work area 24 /7. Moving air will eliminate most condensation problems.Look for sources of moisture. Does water pool up under the building because of drainage problems? If so fix the slope of the ground and run off problems from the roof. Does the roof leak? If so fix it. You get the idea. The key to eliminating moisture problems is getting rid of the source, and add some air flow.

About 100 years ago freezers were invented. This made it unnecessary to store ice all year to put in your ice box and preserve food. The only problem was the freezers had to be shut off once a month to defrost the thick layer of ice that formed gradually as the moisture in the room air hit the cold walls of the freezer chamber ( and everything in it). This was a big problem. Forget to do it monthly, and the freezer became a solid block of ice with boxes of peas and cartons of ice cream frozen in it. They had all types of devices to help melt the ice, sold as refrigerator defrosters.Most of the time it was the kids job, or hubby. It could take an hour or more to defrost the freezer.About 50 years ago, a smart person installed a small fan in the compartment that ran all the time. The problem was virtually eliminated. With some more engineers making improvements by adding timed warm up cycles the chamber temperature, today most of you have never seen a frozen solid full size freezer ( The problem still exists on those cheap Chinese dorm refrigerators that you had in your room at school).

Stacy

 

[Jack O'Neill]

wood stove along with the circulating fans and a lot of WD-40 .

 

[Don Hanson III]

My shop is 1700 sq feet, has a concrete floor, good insulation and is sealed up tight. I have no moister or humidity probs at all.

Even my 2 year old, un-painted KMG has no rust at all

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Hi Thomas,

Sounds like you have an amazing space to work in!

My shop is in the tropics under an open air corrugated-roof lean-to, tarp canopies,and picnic umbrellas. It has LOTS of air movement and heat (no major cooling condensation)....and, unfortunately, a ton of humidity. I recently picked up an inexpensive digital thermometer and humidity meter. I've yet to see less than 40% humidity and 70-80% readings are not uncommon.

I wish I could say I have some successful secrets to share with you. I have many various tool boxes, chests, drawers and containers to keep stuff in. Very little is left out or hanging up. For instance, my sanding belts are stored in a picnic cooler. I've yet to find a magic potion that prevents rust or one that removes it. I have used some stuff, with some success, that converts rust into something else (that is gray or black).

Suffice it to say, I have lots of rust, mildew and mold around here. The trick to keep high carbon steel knives permanently rust free is one I haven't learned yet...not for lack of trying. On the bright side, I'm starting to experiment with spalting woods.

Let us know how it goes.

All the best, Phil