Winter prep

[zdech123]

I recently moved to Minneapolis and this will be my first winter here. I previously worked in a dealership further south so my box and tools were always in somewhat of a climate controlled environment. Is there anything I should know/prep for when the temps start dropping? It has been in the 20s/30s for the better part of 2 months. My garage, which is a normal 3 car garage connected to the house, is around 40 degrees. I took my scanner and other computer related equipment inside already.
Anything to worry about with melting snow on the ground? Moisture? I remember older snap on boxes rusting at the bottoms, I have a 3 year old epic. I don’t have a heater or insulated garage door.

I’m not sure if I need to do anything, I’m just not used to these frigid temps and I have quite a bit of money invested in my tools.

Thanks for any info.


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[wasfuzz]

Keep them dry and watch the humidity once it starts to warm up in a few months.

 

[DGersic]

Throw a large bucket of Damp Rid in the garage to help keep the humidity down.


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[Stuart in MN]

I wouldn't worry about it much. We typically don't get the up and down temps that will cause condensation on metal objects in the garage, from here on until spring it will be for the most part uniformly cold and below freezing, so there won't be any damage to the tools.

The only bad part is having to work with cold wrenches, you'll want to wear gloves.

 

[Tonyuk]

Get some grit for your driveway, slipping going out to your car is never fun, unless you keep it in the garage.

A good snow shovel is essential, at least when it snows here.

 

[bad_idea]

A fan on low in the garage at all times will keep the air moving and reduce the condensation on your tools.

 

[mark#3]

I used a propane tool heater to keep tools hot/thus hands too from tools

 

[homebuilt burner]

Are you just storing your tools/box in the unheated garage?

My large Mac box was in my unheated garage for a couple of years '98/'99 it really didn't show a lot of problems but some rust did show on some of my tools.

Not the best option but some times there isn't a choice. Throw an old sheet over it (something that can breathe) to keep the dust off and it will be okay for a while.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A fan on low in the garage at all times will keep the air moving and reduce the condensation on your tools.

As I said earlier,

We typically don't get the up and down temps that will cause condensation on metal objects in the garage, from here on until spring it will be for the most part uniformly cold and below freezing

When it's cold all the time, there won't be condensation - that happens more often in milder climates, where it may be cold one day and then it warms up significantly the next.

 

[finn]

Clean and wipe down your tools with a light oil. Some people swear by fluid film, a lanolin product, but I have no experience with it.

You will likely get some rusting on Black oxide coated or untreated tools like impact sockets, chisels, etc, but lightly oiled chrome will be fine.

Through away any Harbor Freight products with rubber or plastic hoses or handles in advance. The plastic will shatter when you touch it at sub zero temperatures.

 

[zdech123]

Thanks guys.
I had to work on something the other day and there is nothing like cold hands and metal wrenches. At least I didn’t slip off a bolt and punch the chassis.
This weather is something else. Only 5 more months I hear...


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[TractorJeff]

Southwest Ohio to Minneapolis?
Surprised you never experienced cold in SW Ohio?
Anyways after a week or three, you will be out there working in a Sweatshirt and a Stocking Cap! First Cold Snap brings out the Winter Coats until you acclimatize to the cold!
I leave the drawers open so they don't sweat in the "End of February Thaw" or Spring plus leaving the Door open a foot or so for air movement..

 

[ishiboo]

Once it's solid cold there are no concerns. It's spring when air temperatures start to rise and the tools stay cold longer that is the problem. A bucket of damp rid won't do **** in a whole garage.

Southwest Ohio to Minneapolis?
Surprised you never experienced cold in SW Ohio?
Anyways after a week or three, you will be out there working in a Sweatshirt and a Stocking Cap! First Cold Snap brings out the Winter Coats until you acclimatize to the cold!
I leave the drawers open so they don't sweat in the "End of February Thaw" or Spring plus leaving the Door open a foot or so for air movement..

He did, he said in Ohio his tools were in a climate controlled environment though.

 

[Bretny]

Throw a large bucket of Damp Rid in the garage to help keep the humidity down.


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That will do next to nothing. You would need many many of them.

In the spring when the daytime temps are rising yet its still cold in your garage, resist the urge to open the door and let the heat in. Cold garage hot air means everything will condensate...everything, hand tools, plastic, the concrete and all metal. Ask me how i know.

 

[6768rogues]

As others have said, constant cold will not cause condensation. The first few warm days in the spring is when you will see condensation, and your cold concrete floor will get damp when warm moist outdoor air comes in. I would install a ceiling fan and leave it running on low all the time. Air little air circulation will do a lot toward keeping condensation at bay. If you see some condensation in the spring, turn up the fan. My fans have been running for 25 years.

 

[4 FN 27]

When it's cold all the time, there won't be condensation - that happens more often in milder climates, where it may be cold one day and then it warms up significantly the next.

Depends on the Garage and what direction it faces and number of windows. On a sunny day it can warm the Garage Air up faster than the tools and you will get condensation on anything colder than the ambient temp. I see this happen in my unheated Pole Shed when the temps hover in the 20's. Anything below that there is not much moisture in the air period.

Every Garage in MN would be a case specific situation. Good suggestions above on all fronts. Might take one of those suggestions, some of them or all of them.

Personally I would apply light oil to any Black Oxide tools like Impacts. And any worn Chrome like Screw Driver Tips and inside Sockets.

You will love it here come mid January...

 

[Voi]

I use a cordless Makita fan to help dry out puddles I've swept out the door. They make two - the one I use has the articulating head so I can place it close and directly pointed at an area.

I'm probably going to pick up the Ryobi three gallon cordless wet dry vac so I can vaccum up puddles in areas that are difficult to sweep around effectively.

I'd prefer to use corded versions in both cases but that's just not always possible in my current garage.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Don't forget that every container you have will freeze, so items prone to exploding or being ruined by low temperatures should be moved inside.

Guess what I forgot to do!

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I didn't have a clue last spring when I opened the garage on abnormally warm day with the garage freezing. Every tool had a fine mist on it. I spent over an hour wiping it all down and re-coating tools. Stupid mistake. Good luck.

 

[zdech123]

It did get cold in Ohio but nothing like this. Mid Jan/early feb would get highs around freezing. The Ohio river valley blocked a lot of cold and snow. Just an hour or so north would be completely different weather.

But yes, the box was in a climate controlled shop.
I suppose I need to get all my automotive sprays and liquids, as well as paint, to the basement.


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[Stuart in MN]

It did get cold in Ohio but nothing like this.

To be fair, I saw on the local news tonight that this was one of the coldest October-November periods (and one of the cloudiest) we've ever had. Usually October and the first half of November are pretty decent, but you never know.

They say there are places with more extreme weather, but no one lives there.