paint/chemical storage with a heated section

[aaronrkelly]

I had paint/chemicals/cleaners in three different places in my garage. Ive gotten my place fairly organized but Ive been tweaking a few organization issues lately.

I scored this from a CL add for $40. Fairly well made.

Swallowed all my stuff with room left and I found I REALLY like those pull out bins for stuff like sandpaper, scuff pads, microfiber towels etc.

You can see in the bottom Ive already started insulating it....until I ran out.

My plan is to heat that bottom section. I live in Iowa and do NOT heat my garage......but Ive got stuff Id love to leave out there instead of hauling inside for winter.

my lithium power tool batteries
my lithium jump pack
a few odds and ends of expensive cleaners that I use on my motorcycle
a handful of tubes of vehicle touch up paint

After agonizing over light bulbs, golden rods and other options I finally tripped over an interesting little heater on eBay.

Hoffman enclosure heaters (mainly used, I think, for heating electrical/equipment panels in very cold climates.

http://www.grainger.com/product/HOFFMAN-Fan-Forced-Enclosure-Heater-32FL02

800 watt......thermostat controlled from 0 to 100......and only about 7 1/2 x 4 1/4 and a bit over 5 inches deep

Price? $934

eBay........$75 - much better (used)

Im sure I could get by with less wattage but since the 800 watt heater is what I found listed on eBay - thats what Im going with.

Also looked at these as well

About $78 new from Zoro Tools.

It has a 30 to 150 degree thermostat and its 500 watt. Yeah it doesnt have a fan like the Hoffman but I dont need it in this application. In the end I picked the Hoffman because it looks more "finished" and will look better mounted in place.



Figure if I set it around 50ish....that should keep everything cozy and if I insulate well I bet it runs very little.

 

[Arps]

That is a nice cabinet

 

[aaronrkelly]

I originally went there cause they had some file cabinets for $10.....but this instantly caught my eye and is going to work much better.

 

[willymakeit]

We used to use an old refrigerator and use a inline thermostat on a light bulb. Gets cold, thermostat turns bulb on, reach's temp. and then shuts off. Insulation in refrig. minimizes heat loss. Thermostat needs to be in refrig.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I considered that....but it would take more floor space and offer less storage.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Those little Hoffman heaters work well and are very reliable, it's a good choice. You probably don't need one that big (they sell smaller ones, down to 100 watts) but if you can get a good deal on a used 800 watt model it will be fine too.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Those little Hoffman heaters work well and are very reliable, it's a good choice. You probably don't need one that big (they sell smaller ones, down to 100 watts) but if you can get a good deal on a used 800 watt model it will be fine too.

Yeah they had 2 military surplus used units on eBay for $75 each.

A new 100 watt one could be had for $150.

I know 800 is over kill......but I didnt want to pay double for the 100 watt unit.

I figured in the end it will just run less time and it mostly will all come out in the wash.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Just a heads up. That's not a proper paint or chemical storage cabinet. Adding electricity to the mix might not be a great idea. Small spark and some fumes=boom.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Oh I know. Im planning on sealing the bottom off from the rest and then using care regarding what I put in there.