Covering up.....

[slim_boy_fat]

A quick one for the Collective.

I cover my machines with old towels to protect against grinder dusk etc, but with the onset of the colder/damp weather find that they start to attract and hold the damp, but not to the extent of being wet obviously. When possible I open the shed to help air circulate and this does help a bit, but you're fighting a loosing battle. Air circulation is not the problem, because the air itself is/can be damp/foggy.......

A spray/rub over of the machines with a suitable protectant does help guard against any surface rust, but what do you guys do to solve the likes of the grinder dust problem? Is it a case of repeatedly wiping over?

 

[MBB]

I use air line lubricating oil it has rust inhibitors in it , mixed with petrol and spray it on bare metal. When the petrol evaporates it leaves a film of oil.

 

[Luke]

Oil on the machines, then heavy plastic sheeting over the top, when I have to use the grinder.

 

[bigegg]

separate shed for grinding.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I use air line lubricating oil it has rust inhibitors in it , mixed with petrol and spray it on bare metal. When the petrol evaporates it leaves a film of oil.

Thanks, but that's not the issue - it's the dampness which is absorbed by my current towelling cover(s).

separate shed for grinding.

In an ideal world . I do have an 'annexe' but it was built to accommodate the tumble drier and gardening stuff and has just enough room for me to squeeze through to the back wall, so no room left.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Thanks, but that's not the issue - it's the dampness which is absorbed by my current towelling cover(s).



In an ideal world . I do have an 'annexe' but it was built to accommodate the tumble drier and gardening stuff and has just enough room for me to squeeze through to the back wall, so no room left.

Tumble dryers are dangerous and a fire risk. Best dispose of it quickly.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Tumble dryers are dangerous and a fire risk. Best dispose of it quickly.

Well, I need to dry clothes in the Winter somehow , and I'm not having something like this bringing damp into the house

I'm also a bit OCD about keeping the t/drier filter and interior fluff-free and it vents to the atmosphere , so it's the best least worst option

 

[Pete.]

I use a cotton curtain liner - 'blackout' liner. Otherwise I just hoover it up before I use the machine.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Well, I need to dry clothes in the Winter somehow , and I'm not having something like this bringing damp into the house

I'm also a bit OCD about keeping the t/drier filter and interior fluff-free and it vents to the atmosphere , so it's the best least worst option

Dehumidifier in the office works well for us.
Last tumble dryer we (she) owned got slung out the back door after bursting in to flames and was told were not getting another one.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Dehumidifier in the office works well for us.

That would be the ideal solution, but space [I know you can get little ones which do the job] and the fact I isolate the power to the shed when I'm finished for the day rule that out [and I'm too mean to leave one running all the time anyway...... ].

 

[colnerov]

Hi, Try a margarine tub with rice or salt sitting on the machine under the covering to absorb the humidity, dry it out in the microwave periodically.

Colin

 

[Maker]

Don't have a solution for the dust but I keep a bag of desiccant in all my toolboxes, cabinets and Bisley-style drawers to keep hand tools from rusting, seems to work very well.

 

[bigegg]

move to Arizona?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

move to Arizona?

Appealing as the thought might at first appear, it's in ''Murica......

 

[bigegg]

Appealing as the thought might at first appear, it's in ''Murica......

a fair point, well made.

maybe somewhere a little less dangerous, and more tolerant?

Saudi?

 

[Robbie260]

A big fan to circulate air constantly, oil the equipment in some way, and maybe section off your welding and grinding area with alarge welding screen plastic curtain on a rail works for us on ship to some extent. Failing that there are https://www.axminster.co.uk/machinery/dust-extractors/metal-dust-extractors
Or things like these for wood working.
https://www.axminster.co.uk/machinery/dust-extractors/air-filters.

These are expensive but you could get you hands on some filters for them to get the size you could probably make one for cheaper than that.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

"Saudi"


Worse, no

 

[bigegg]

"Saudi"


Worse, no

Iran, then?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Iran, then?

Enough with the world tour, already.

 

[Bladevane]

Have you tried an old sheet rather than towels? Less absorbent, dries quicker but equally good at keeping nasty stuff off your pride and joy.