Port-a-cool

[snacksnack]

Anyone use one in there garage or shop? I have a pretty good size non insulated tin shop that is unbarable during the summer and was kicking around the idea of a 36 or bigger. They say they can cool a 2500 sq foot shop which I may have 2000 and I realize they really only work when aimed at you but for a grand for a used one is it worth it?

[Mongoose]

Anyone use one in there garage or shop? I have a pretty good size non insulated tin shop that is unbarable during the summer and was kicking around the idea of a 36 or bigger. They say they can cool a 2500 sq foot shop which I may have 2000 and I realize they really only work when aimed at you but for a grand for a used one is it worth it?

It depends on what kind of work you will be doing. They will keep you cool if as you mentioned you point them in your direction. I made the mistake of turning mine on immediately AFTER I did some painting. That worked out well.

For things like mechanical work or anything that it doesnt matter that dust and debris may be flying around it`s great. Wet Paint, however, is another matter.

[lincolnboy]

How about one of the ductless ac systems.

[Sleeper]

Work good if you can afford the big fucker.

[ktm300hater]

I have one and it works well if you have a way to let the air move out of the shop. My building is 2400 sq feet and it keeps it around 10-15 degrees cooler than outside temp.

[Moose242]

My dad has a big ass one and one of the mid-small sized ones. They work ok, but I have a portable AC unit that I prefer for working on stuff.

[chevyhater01]

My uncle has two of them what sucks is the more humidity in the air the less effective they become.

[snacksnack]

I have one huge door that opens and then a small one on the other side so as far as a cross draft it does t work worth a shit plus the metel roof just baked you. I think it's worth a shot to try as a a/c unit isn't going to do crap in there.

[stephen4785]

Iv always liked using them when I had access to them. If you do get one use that chemical they sell to pour in the water and itll help it not smell like mildew(I dont know what that chemical actually is). But for the price I would invest in a portable air conditioner or some other style fan/cooler. Damn things are just too exspensive for me to justify.

[R3_82GT]

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-lg-portable-air-conditioners-1?

Might be worth a try.

[Kart21]

Need to use the stuff in the water as suggested. Keeps the smell down.

When we are machining cold rolled steel or low carbon steel it tends to rust very quickly with the water on. Mostly on the fresh cut part of the metal.

Have noticed a little more rust on the machines and the steel tool holders too. That said, they do cool the shop down some.

Big tin building w/o any a/c.

[Baba Ganoush]

What's your ceiling height? Keeping hot air out and venting helps a lot. Swamp coolers are better than nothing but will rust shit, and the portable AC units seem to be inefficient in certain settings and seemed to draw tons of power.

My best suggestion would be to work to keep the heat out of there in the first place, then work to cool it. Insulation and shade did more to cool my shop than anything.

[snacksnack]

What's your ceiling height?

My best suggestion would be to work to keep the heat out of there in the first place, then work to cool it. Insulation and shade did more to cool my shop than anything.

How tall? Not sure but it's tall enough for a lift. I would love to insulate it but it's a rental otherwise I would be all for it. So with that trying to make due with what I have and can take with me at a later date when I finally get my own shop.

[Sleeper]

Find a company that deals with shipping vaccines or anything cool on a pallet. That 4-5 inch dense foam works great to insulate and most places throw it away.