Shop cold weather storage?

[Rita B.]

Do many of you close up shop for the colder months and if so, how do you prepare?   I am nearing the end of a project, and will be preparing for the winter months soon.  Any tips for winter storage?  I plan to place a coat of wax on the table saw top.  Store with blade or remove?  Glue, stains, and finishes should be brought inside?  We all put a lot of expense into the shop, so I certainly want to preserve everything from the tools purchased to the supplies used from start to finish!

[Ed Ward]

I do not close up for winter I use a kerosene to keep warm when working also a ac in summer I like to be comfortable. You should bring in anything that will freeze inside .  You may want to put some plastic on the floor to keep moisture from the ground but do not cover tools as it locks in the moisture on them. 

[Rita B.]

What about all those rechargeable batteries for the cordless tools?   Will they lose their charging ability being exposed to the cold?

[michael evans]

Hi Rita, in answer to your question .Batteries do not like temperatures much below zero , so maybe better to bring inside if your workshop gets really cold or damp . Put them in a cupboard that is cool though ,batteries do not like to much heat either .Also if your leaving the batteries dormant for three months ,might be a idea to give them a booster charge for a hour per month . I tend to use batteries in my little shop all thru winter ,but our winters not as cold as yours  brrrrrr .

[Ken Darga]

Rita,

Winter Storage

Iron materials, such as on table saws, drill press, planers, and the like, will oxidize/develop rust.

For long term storage, greater than 30 days, I apply a rust preventative coating.

Clean the surfaces with mineral spirits then apply the protective coating.

Boiled linseed oil is readily available and suffices nicely, as a protective coating.

Wipe-on for a thin protective layer or brush it on. Allow to rest 10-15 minutes.

Wipe off the access, leaving a thin protective film.

When you get ready to use your wood working tools, and the like, remove the coating with mineral spirits, and apply a finishing paste wax.

Yard and garden tools can also be protected, using boiled linseed oil.

Wire brush the soil from the surfaces, scrape the access rust, brush on a coating of boiled linseed oil.

Many tools can be treated with boiled linseed oil to prevent rusting.

Clean of any dirt or soil---don't remove the patina.

Remove the saw blades, and apply a suitable lube to the threaded shafts.

Glues, paints and finish materials, need to be stored/protected from freezing temps.

Store where temps are above 50 degrees.

Batteries

Store-in above freezing temps.

Drycell fully charged batteries, exposed to freezing temps, will have much less stored energy capacity, perhaps less than 50% capacity.

DO NOT allow them to be in contact the ground or concrete.

Place on wood and layered with newspapers, or the like. 

(wood and newspaper will act as an insulation).

Ni-Cad batteries 

Recharge monthly.   

Storing for greater than 30 days, discharge the batteries.

(I put them in a flashlight, leave it on 'til the battery is drained, followed by storing in above freezing temps).

Lith-ion

I recharge monthly during long term storage (greater than 30 days).

Gel-Cell (wet cell) Batteries

Consult with the battery OEM.

Lead-Acid (wet cell) batteries

Consult with the battery OEM.

For long term winter storage of outdoor lawn equipment, and the like,

I remove the batteries and store them indoors, placed in a suitable ventilated container, and resting on wood and newspapers.  

(Ventilation required to prevent access gases forming to prevent an explosion).

I use a low amp trickle-charger, with an auto shut-off feature, to keep them warm and charged.

After fully charged, I recharge them monthly.

DO NOT store batteries indoors near a furnace, water heater or other heating device.

[michael evans]

Good advice Ken ,how you doing these days ?
 
Ken Darga said:

Rita,

Winter Storage

Iron materials, such as on table saws, drill press, planers, and the like, will oxidize/develop rust.

For long term storage, greater than 30 days, I apply a rust preventative coating.

Clean the surfaces with mineral spirits then apply the protective coating.

Boiled linseed oil is readily available and suffices nicely, as a protective coating.

Wipe-on for a thin protective layer or brush it on. Allow to rest 10-15 minutes.

Wipe off the access, leaving a thin protective film.

When you get ready to use your wood working tools, and the like, remove the coating with mineral spirits, and apply a finishing paste wax.

Yard and garden tools can also be protected, using boiled linseed oil.

Wire brush the soil from the surfaces, scrape the access rust, brush on a coating of boiled linseed oil.

Many tools can be treated with boiled linseed oil to prevent rusting.

Clean of any dirt or soil---don't remove the patina.

Remove the saw blades, and apply a suitable lube to the threaded shafts.

Glues, paints and finish materials, need to be stored/protected from freezing temps.

Store where temps are above 50 degrees.

Batteries

Store-in above freezing temps.

Drycell fully charged batteries, exposed to freezing temps, will have much less stored energy capacity, perhaps less than 50% capacity.

DO NOT allow them to be in contact the ground or concrete.

Place on wood and layered with newspapers, or the like. 

(wood and newspaper will act as an insulation).

Ni-Cad batteries 

Recharge monthly.   

Storing for greater than 30 days, discharge the batteries.

(I put them in a flashlight, leave it on 'til the battery is drained, followed by storing in above freezing temps).

Lith-ion

I recharge monthly during long term storage (greater than 30 days).

Gel-Cell (wet cell) Batteries

Consult with the battery OEM.

Lead-Acid (wet cell) batteries

Consult with the battery OEM.

For long term winter storage of outdoor lawn equipment, and the like,

I remove the batteries and store them indoors, placed in a suitable ventilated container, and resting on wood and newspapers.  

(Ventilation required to prevent access gases forming to prevent an explosion).

I use a low amp trickle-charger, with an auto shut-off feature, to keep them warm and charged.

After fully charged, I recharge them monthly.

DO NOT store batteries indoors near a furnace, water heater or other heating device.

[Ken Darga]

Thanks Mick.

Doing okay.

Just busier than a one legged cat in a sand box.

michael evans said:

Good advice Ken ,how you doing these days ?

 

 

[Robert Brennan]

Busier than a one legged cat in a sand box ....what?

Please explain for those confused!

[Rita B.]

Thanks so much for the tips!  I had no idea about the boiled linseed oil.   I will pick some up the next time I am out as well as some containers for all those smaller items that will need to be brought in.