x2, the key is to be working.
I was in my garage with door open, around 25* fahrenheit and was down to my t-shirt in a couple of minutes.
When it get very cold, the key is to keep your feet and head warm.
Working in the cold?
- Thread starter sparky7
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I was in my garage with door open, around 25* fahrenheit and was down to my t-shirt in a couple of minutes.
When it get very cold, the key is to keep your feet and head warm.
neonnblack
Well-known member
I work outside and in an open to the weather part of the warehouse thats un heated/ac. It been mid 20's in the morning for a few days, i dont mind it just a long sleeve and my work shirt over it. I only bring out the jacket when it hits mid teens.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
I used to not mind it too much. But I've messed up my back/knees/hip several times now and if it gets lower than about 52F I'll stop working in the shop. I might piddle around for a bit, but actually getting good work in at that point is a no. Joints start aching.
mngundog
Well-known member
Its funny, a few days ago I posted a thread for a better alternative to Carhartts, about 5 minutes in wet snow and they soak all the way through to your skin, a 12 hour shift soaking wet gets to be a long night.
I just use over sized cheap rain pants and jacket. Very bulky, but kept me dry. (That and mink oil)
PhantomEB
Well-known member
At work, theres times I cant control the tempature so I gotta **** it up, at home I REFUSE to **** it up, will go out there in long johns, long sleeve and insulated bibs that are intended for work. Now I am on holidays, I sure intend to button up that shop of mine as good as I can but only til I really do get my own, it never will be good enough! Infloor heat with a Mr Heater Big Maxx 75000, I can make my garage in Canada seem like Mexico!
mngundog
Well-known member
The bulk thing is killing me cause I have to wear a harness a lot, but I do have a pair of gortex pants so I will give it a try.
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You also become acclimated. A few years ago we spent a month is San Diego. It was literally 100F difference in temp for the first week. I was in shorts and tshirt and the locals were in coats and complaining about the awful weather more than at home. It is also a matter of perspective. I was very content in taking the "awful" weather of San Diego in January
+1 I always say I would take a whole summer of 90+ than just a single week below 30.
If I need to work inthe cold, I do it and get it done. I try to dress in layers to stay warm. I'd rather not do it though. After serving my time in the military on field ops or Desert Storm and having no choice to being out in the weather or now at the FD going from inside to outside in the elements, I prefer not to work in the adverse weather.
That being said, many times I'm outside in a long sleeve T and sweatshirt and I'm good while the other guys have their coats on. If I do get cold I'll grab my turn out coat and put it on. The biggest problem at work is not being able to be prepared for the cold. When the tone goes off, you have to get rolling, no time for "hey let me put on my long underwear". You can't wear it all day long at the station and our turnout gear isn't the warmest, which includes leather fireboots with steel shanks and steel toes.
That being said, many times I'm outside in a long sleeve T and sweatshirt and I'm good while the other guys have their coats on. If I do get cold I'll grab my turn out coat and put it on. The biggest problem at work is not being able to be prepared for the cold. When the tone goes off, you have to get rolling, no time for "hey let me put on my long underwear". You can't wear it all day long at the station and our turnout gear isn't the warmest, which includes leather fireboots with steel shanks and steel toes.
Big-Foot
Well-known member
Dang... I might have the same problem with my hands and feet.. I always chalked up to poor circulation. Maybe not! My fingers and toes turn white and the start to get even darker.. If I can get the out of the cold just as they're turning white, I'm fine and the feeling comes back pretty quickly with only a few pins sticking in me sort of feeling.. If left to go longer though, they burn and ache for up to an hour.. On a scale of 10, I would put it at a solid 8.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud's_phenomenon
I am also a sufferer of trigeminal neuralgia so I know what "10" is in the pain department.. Thankfully I had the CyberKnife treatment a few years ago and the pain seizures now are quite mild..
My son bought me some nice heated gloves which really help when I am working outside in the winter. I spent 4 hours moving snow a week ago. Was wearing my Carhart Artic coveralls, electric gloves and Sorrel boots.. Was fine except for sweating like Meatloaf inside that suit...
X99 on the wind being the game breaker...
mrpowderkeg
Well-known member
Working in the cold *****, but it has to be done. I was working on the garage and I didn't realize the drastic temp shift, I was dressed warm. It was something like 15F during the day. As the day progressed into night when I wanted to seal up some stuff with foam, well, the foam didn't work... hmmm... oh I see now the phone says -10F now. Foam turns into a gooey mess at that temp... ******. I didn't even notice the temp difference, but I was in the zone. Cold in ND is part of life. You either dress for it, and learn to deal with it to enjoy the pleasures of the winter season, or you stay inside and ***** about it.
The rough part about it, is the wind. We are famous for being a windy state. Combine low temperatures with some wind, and it pulls any heat away from you in a hurry.
The rough part about it, is the wind. We are famous for being a windy state. Combine low temperatures with some wind, and it pulls any heat away from you in a hurry.
bazzateer
Well-known member
Why would you insult them?
Hate the cold. Waited a couple of weeks for a sunny (still cold) day before refitting the sump to my Sunbeam Imp Sport. When I eventually get my garage built the cold won't be an issue.
I used to hate the cold concrete working in the garage - now i either throw down some cardboard or take old area rugs from the living room/kids room when the wife doesn't want em any more and through but them down were i am working etc. They are renovating at work and i grabbed a couple of huge sections of rug to use in the garage. Whats great is you don't have to clean it...just toss it!
1949 caddyman
Well-known member
Yes I hated it so much that I moved to Arizona 27 years ago! It has got to the point that I think the winters are too cold here ( 35 nite, 55 days !) I know, I"m a woose!
L5wolvesf
Well-known member
dirttracker18
Well-known member
I can't stand it. I used to work construction glass all winter. Around here that means a month of close to -40.
There was just no way to stay warm enough. I feel cold just thinking about it. It's part of the reason I built my shop with in floor heat.
I hated that job soooo much!
There was just no way to stay warm enough. I feel cold just thinking about it. It's part of the reason I built my shop with in floor heat.
I hated that job soooo much!
Zeke
Well-known member
Why would you insult them?
Hate the cold. Waited a couple of weeks for a sunny (still cold) day before refitting the sump to my Sunbeam Imp Sport. When I eventually get my garage built the cold won't be an issue.
Zing! You got me. I didn't even spell Carhartt right.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
I sometimes have to work in cold conditions. I found layers of duafold long underwear. wool shirts and sweater, with a heavy down parka with thinsilite hat and gloves works for me. I borrowed a set of Mickey Mouse boots a couple times and they really help keep your feet warm.
I hate the cold and prefer to work in my shop with my IR torpedo heater pointing at me.
Chris
I hate the cold and prefer to work in my shop with my IR torpedo heater pointing at me.
Chris
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Like when your boot liners are frozen to the bottom of your boot and you have to thaw them to get the liner out to dry it.
One time when bitterly cold I was filling my propane truck. Since it was colder than -40 and that is the boiling point of propane I got the brainwave. Sure enough when I pulled the nozzle liquid propane sprayed out and dissipated in a cloud when it hit the snow. Pretty wild. Do not smoke while doing that.
That truck quit on me one time on a backroad before Christmas one year. I spent the night in the truck and luckily I had clothes but was pretty f'n cold come morning. That car was going to have to run me over to get by. Anyway I had a bottle of 10 yr old good whiskey in the back of the truck(customer relations in the oilfield) and it was frozen. Only time I ever saw whiskey freeze.
I went and bought a cell phone. Monster size but the close call made it worth it. I think it was like $900 and a monster bag phone( it was 1989 if I remember right).
coljar
Well-known member
When I use to be the outside boilerman at work, it was colder than a well diggers a** in the winter when we'd have to drag steam hoses around to wrap around the transmittors to keep them from freezing and banging on the coal chutes with sledge hammers until I couldn't move because of all the ice that came up the belt with the coal causing it not to feed down to the mills. In the summer it was hotter than the hinges of hell up on the burner deck, but not all the problems of winter. I'm inside in a comfortable control room now, but I still hate winter.
jvitez
Well-known member
Yeah, as I get older I'm feeling the cold more. And my nose drips immediately too. Oh well. It's waaaaay better than pouring sweat, goopy sunscreen, mosquitoes, and flies. And no grass to cut! Plus I get to ride my snowmobile!
I spent a day in my garage at ~5C. I had several layers on, wool socks and warm boots. No problem. Until I got inside and wondered why my face was red and burning.....
It's the wind that really gets me. Windchill is the biggest PITA.
Luckily I can choose whether to work outside or not, as it's working around the house only. Temperature controlled buildings are the 8th wonder of the world.
I spent a day in my garage at ~5C. I had several layers on, wool socks and warm boots. No problem. Until I got inside and wondered why my face was red and burning.....
It's the wind that really gets me. Windchill is the biggest PITA.
Luckily I can choose whether to work outside or not, as it's working around the house only. Temperature controlled buildings are the 8th wonder of the world.
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Midnight_America
Well-known member
I feel your pain. I too have Raynaud's. Coming in from the cold with blue/purple hands and fingers is not fun. Getting the blood recirculating again in my hands and fingers is the worst part. That pain is excrutiaing. I started using disposable hand warmers a few years back and they have helped immensely.
davedriveschevys
Well-known member
Twenty winters outside building homes, I'm done, no more frozen mustache, no more wind chill, no more winter splits on the finger tips.
My shop is nice and toasty, and thats where I'm staying.
My shop is nice and toasty, and thats where I'm staying.
coolreed
Well-known member
Correct Gear and Correct Attitude will make it a peice of cake. You will get used to it.
But if you dread it really bad you are already beaten.
But if you dread it really bad you are already beaten.
Being from South Florida, I used to think +25F was cold. Visited my relatives the winter my mother in law passed away and saw -11F for the first time in my life. After that, I was happily shoveling snow and chipping ice off the driveway the day it broke +30F. I now own thinsulate snow pants which I wore to work the morning it was +30F when I left the house in South Florida.
Heat index is commonly 95F or higher where I live for 4-6 months of the year and I'm quite accustomed to it and the humidity. I'll have to read on the medical condition mentioned above. My hands and feet are ALWAYS cold, even now sitting here in the A/C. (yes, week before Christmas, still running A/C set @78F in South Florida!)
Heat index is commonly 95F or higher where I live for 4-6 months of the year and I'm quite accustomed to it and the humidity. I'll have to read on the medical condition mentioned above. My hands and feet are ALWAYS cold, even now sitting here in the A/C. (yes, week before Christmas, still running A/C set @78F in South Florida!)
Big-Foot
Well-known member
Drive north about a thousand miles in February and talk to us....
You are correct about correct gear and attitude, but a piece of cake? That's what I have a problem with...
buildmyown
Well-known member
I work outside just about everday of the year. I will take the cold and snow over heat humidity and rain any day. I turn into a major ***** with it gets over 70 and the humidity starts to build.
Exceller8
Well-known member
It was cold here in Cali today.
AV tinker er
Well-known member
I am ok with the cold, it is the Santa Anna's that get me... plus I dont like having my finger tips split open all winter...
crewchief888
Well-known member
unfortunately i have to work outside, field service mechanic at a const eq dealership.
seems like the worse the weather is, the more service calls we get.
right now i hope we dont get any busier, were at least 10 days behind on work right now...
so much of what i end up diagnosing and working on, i cant wear anything heavier than a latex glove, and still be able to feel what i'm doing.
handling cold tools makes it even worse.
in and out between the cold, warm truck, or the shop gets old really quick.
also worked for 15 years in warm sunny central fl...
seems like the worse the weather is, the more service calls we get.
right now i hope we dont get any busier, were at least 10 days behind on work right now...
so much of what i end up diagnosing and working on, i cant wear anything heavier than a latex glove, and still be able to feel what i'm doing.
handling cold tools makes it even worse.
in and out between the cold, warm truck, or the shop gets old really quick.
also worked for 15 years in warm sunny central fl...