Keeping cool on these hot summer days.

I

Ian Fifelski

Joined
Oct 4, 2017
Messages
528
Happy independence day all!

I have been forging and sweating alot lately. I finally put a thermometer in my shop and it read 120 degrees with the forge running at welding temps. I am planning of putting a solar powered roof fan above the forge.

What do you gents do to keep cool in the forge? I love heat and I can stand really hot day (probably from my farming background) but it comes a dangerous point. I'll keep drinking alot of water but any tips would be appreciated!

Ian
 
Check out the 20 inch stand fans in the tool catalogs. They are $150 to about $200 but really worth it to keep dust down and a cooler shop. Larry
 
navman said:
b e e r....

just kidding...

I prefer bourbon!
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That's one of the things about being a 16 year old knifemaker. Just kidding ;):p

LARRYZ10 said:
Check out the 20 inch stand fans in the tool catalogs. They are $150 to about $200 but really worth it to keep dust down and a cooler shop. Larry
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I have been looking at some but the issue is I have extremely limited space. I am working in an 8x12 dirt floor shop. That's why I was thinking of something in the roof. Would a roof fan be as effective?
 
This is when having one wall of my shop underground is beneficial. It's generally 10-15f less inside than it is outside.

The downside is the moisture. Floor is wet all summer with condensation.
 
I have a stand fan that blows over the forging area. I also set a small air mover fan on the floor next to the anvil and point it up so it blows up my body.
 
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Ian
I have a Lasko fan (see link below) which does a great job of moving air (3speed). It is a squirrel cage blower so it is quiet enough and won't dround out the sound of your hammer blows. It also has the ability to flip the blower cage over so the air comes out at any angle including floor level, this is great for drying out water under equipment or carpets. But wait, there is more --- it has a duples outlet on the side so it can double as an extension cord.

https://m.samsclub.com/ip/pivoting-utlity-fan/prod8670795?xid=plp_product_1_2

But fan or no fan, forge in the morning before the temperature gets to hot. The low light levels also help, in judging metal temperature
by sight.
Jim
 
That is the same air mover fan I use. It works really well. When picnicing in the backyard we set it on the grass behind us and let it blow air to make a breeze.

I didn't mention shade. If there is no shade at your forge, make it with a yard tent, smith roof, tarp, etc. Only a fool would stand in the summer sun and forge (and it really makes reading the steel color hard). As Damening said, before 12AM and after 6PM are best in hot weather.
 
Assuming you have some power, An inexpensive box fan blowing right at you. I have a 20” from Wally world that works fine.
Also, depending on how the sun hits the place, some we’ll placed tarps to block direct sun.
 
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You know, the local pawn shop had one of those. They wanted a stupid high price for it so I paid it no mind, but wondered how well it would work outside blowing on me in the forge. The one they had had a 20' discharge hose for the hot air that would fit a dryer ventor similar port.
I have considered getting one ( at a reasonable price) for the new shop when it gets built.
 
autogateman said:
I have one of these I bought used and it’s amazing!!!

http://movincool.com/portable-air-conditioners/office-pro-18

It’s an actual AC with compressor and all, not a swamp cooler.
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My mom uses one or two of these to cool her home. It will just about freeze you to death if you're not careful. She has the discharge hose attached to a panel that fits under a double hung window like a regular window unit. Works very well, and it's nice that you can position it out into the middle of the room if needed, rather than just cooling from one side of the room.
 
Ian Fifelski said:
That's one of the things about being a 16 year old knifemaker. Just kidding ;):p

I have been looking at some but the issue is I have extremely limited space. I am working in an 8x12 dirt floor shop. That's why I was thinking of something in the roof. Would a roof fan be as effective?
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A good exhaust fan in the roof or wall(s) would definitely be better than nothing. Or you can get a wall mount fan and mount it in the corner, or somewhere up and out of the way:
2LY99_AS01


It doesn't have to take up any floor space, and wouldn't require cutting into the roof or walls.

Additionally, you might look at getting some cooling towels, or even just soaking some bandanas in ice water to stick on top or your head or neck. It's almost like free A/C, though they don't last forever.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
You know, the local pawn shop had one of those. They wanted a stupid high price for it so I paid it no mind, but wondered how well it would work outside blowing on me in the forge. The one they had had a 20' discharge hose for the hot air that would fit a dryer ventor similar port.
I have considered getting one ( at a reasonable price) for the new shop when it gets built.
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I gave 800$ for it. Worth every single penny. I love that I can wheel it outside under my patio and have AC outside when I BBQ.
 
Bring on the heat. Staying cool is never much of an issue. Step outside when need be, stay hydrated. Keeping warm is what’s hard.
 
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