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Okay, I gotta air condition my shop...this is crazy...Memphis is 94F today, and my guitars are being wet-sanded with perspiration as a lubricant! Really though, the temp inside my shop is about 90F after opening the door a couple times and the RH is 55%. The RH I can live with, but the heat! So, if the shop is about 600SF, and I don't want to live out there, but keep it a good temp for me and the guitars, what do you guys have to say about a window-unit type AC? Size, economy, and a good temp for the guitars when I'm not there, and for me when I am? What are you guys doing as far as temp control?

Thanks,
Larry

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Larry

My shop is under 250SF and I have a small window type unit. I run it as needed only when I am in the shop. As far as temp goes I keep it where it is comfortable to work. I guess it would be around 75F or 20C since I am in Canada. My shop is small and is well insulated so the temp stays about the same when I am not in the shop.

One thing to realize is that the AC will also dehumidify the air. I sometimes even need to pop the humidifier on to keep the air from getting to dry.

joshJosh H38511.8893055556

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

If you are going to AC it I think that you will need a fair sized unit for 600 sq. ft. My shop is a bit less than 300 sq ft and I use both a small AC unit(don't remember the btu's off hand)and a de-humidifier together. I'm actually more concerned with relative humidity but sure don't like working in a sweat shop. I've found that AC's are not that good at removing moisture in the air and will actually increase it at times since decreasing the temperature will raise the relative humidity (cold air can hold less water). On the other hand de-humidifiers increase the temperature and can get uncomortably hot. I hook both units up and let em fight it out aiming for 72 deg F and 42%-46% relative humidity. Both of my units are connected to a controller that I wrote the software for so I don't worry about constantly adjusting the system. It isn't cheap and is actually more expensive than heating my shop in the winter.

I could use a solution to this problem as well. My shop was up to 92 degrees yesterday, by 11 o'clock.
And we haven't even hit the "hot" months yet.

I have 1500 square feet and am afraid if I install an air conditioning unit I will spend all my cash on cooling and not have any left over for zoot.

I am currently using one of those big shop fans that I picked up at Home Depot. But, I am getting too old to work in this kind of heat.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

My shop probably totals about 600 sq. feet, surprisingly enough I am able to cool it with an 8,000 BTU window unit. My shop is a two story and the unit is installed upstairs so a lot of the cool air floats down. It also does not cost very much two run because of it’s size.
Keep in mind that it can’t keep the shop frosty but that’s not important.

Colby, what temp would you say you keep your shop? And does the AC wreak havoc with your humidity level? My AC buddy has recommended a 22,000 BTU heat/cool combo window type unit, but I think that might be overkill. Of course, he IS in the AC business!

Larry

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I keep it about 77 degrees. It helps on the humidity, I have a problem with it getting too high and the air conditioner helps to lower it.

Thanks Colby...I think 22K BTUS is too much but I'm intrigued with the heat/cool option...I run a propane heater for a little bit during the winter, but I'm not happy with the venting issues, so we'll see. Right now, it's the HEAT that's a botheration!

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Just reading recently that an airconditioner that is to big will cool to fast and therefore not dehumidify.

Arvey, that's my concern exactly with the 22K BTU one...I'm thinking maybe 12K BTU heat/cool.

Larry

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Okay guys , this is an important thing to do. Like anything else the prep work will give you the end results. I just built a new shop last year when we moved. My shop is 24 by 40 2 floors.
   I insultated well as in PA we get some cold winters and hot summers. I have R19 in the wall and R30 with 2 inch ridig foam.
   I actaully use a bedroom ac unit and can hold my shop to 74 degrees. So the more you insulate the better off you are. IT is one thing that will allways save you money in the long run.
   If you are close enough for a visit drop in. JJ was here when I was just setting up. Finally got the place oranized.
john hall

John, can you just mail me your shop if I pay shipping? Mine's 16 x 32 and as soon as I get all the furniture building tools out of the way, I'll actually have room to walk and build guitars at the same time! I too have R19 and R30 respectively...I wanted the shop quiet to my next-door neighbors with small kids, and it is, but the bonus is the retention of hot/cool air when I need it!

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Hi   Larry
    Shipping is $150,000 UPS shipping
john

[QUOTE=tippie53]   Hi   Larry
    Shipping is $150,000 UPS shipping
john
[/QUOTE]
Do you take PayPal?

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Sure ,

Lance, you're the Big Kahuna...make John give me his shop!

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you are welcome to visit. I am setting a spray booth up . I even have a bathroom.

Ok John, I guess that's a close second...if I'm out your way sometime, I'll take you up on it!

Larry

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http://www.presnallguitars.com