I’m finally getting my sh*t together to shape for the first time, and had a few questions about setting up a shaping/glassing area.
The house that I rent has a detached garage which has potential as a workshop space. Unfortunately the structure itself is extremely old, very musty (think bad basement smell), and the roof leaks. Because essentially everything that goes in there comes out smelling gnarly, I’ve written that spot off. I imagine that if I can’t control the smell, humidity and mold, then it would probably affect the foam and curing process (Aside from the fact that I’d probably be glassing in a lot of centipedes and earwigs.) Am I correct on this? Has anyone been able to salvage places like this to shape in?
Given that, my second option is the basement. Unfortunately that spot also has a few challenges. The space also acts as storage and laundry, and I don’t want to contaminate any of those things with foam or glass debris. Additionally, ventilation is a concern. The basement is lined a few small, ground-level windows (over my head) and a door to the outside about halfway up the stairs (approximately 6 feet from the ground). Would there be enough ventilation in a place like this? Has anyone had success shaping/glassing in their basement?
Here are my thoughts right now—I was considering cordoning off a corner with a window and building a Dexter like tented area out of pipe and lined with blue tarp. I’d also install a window fan to help circulate the air. Additionally I was planning on rigging up my shop vac to suck up the dust as I work. And maybe throw in a HEPA-filter for good measure. Could a set up like this be reasonably self-contained? Or would I need more ventilation? Would it work to shape in only? Should I try to move the glassing operation to the driveway instead?
Would love to hear your thoughts and advice on this! Thanks for helping out a newbie like me!
A tent like setup should work, just leave it open while working + use a dust mask when shaping. For glassing you need a respirator + fan if you got one.don’t forget to close the screen when done - as a bug might
Find a sticky landing strip!
If you had a metal shed - that might be an option? I might shape outside? just enjoy the process.
I wish i had a shed or other outside space! The garage is my only other option apart from the basement unfortunately. I’d love to shape outside, as long as I can somehow contain all the dust and trash, but I live in New England and snow, ice and the general unpredicability of weather is always a challenge to contend with. When it was nicer in the summer I shaped hand planes in the drive way, but that’s a quick project!
The tent idea suppose could work then! I might as well give it a shot. Perhaps I can save the glassing for a good weather/flat water stretch in the summer.
Sweet set up WideAWAKE! That is even better than what I was envisioning! I love how it’s entirely safe contained.
Some questions- how have you dealt with the ligher colored walls? I figured that something dark or blue would help the shadows out. Also, how did you mount and set up those lights on the side? Are they adjustable in height?
Build your tent/tarp structure in the garage. Resin fumes are heavy, and sink low. The basement would become a poison pit, even with a fan at the overhead window. That’s what I’d do.
Well my garage doesnt have any funky smells but I can say it does a good job at keeping the funky smells from glassing inside. It doesnt keep them all in but it sure helps.
Since building it I have hung some blue tarps on the side but still need to kill the light in there a bit. I have some ideas but havnt had the time to get them going. Maybe this weekend. I have also hooked a vacuum port through the top of it to keep all the planer dust controlled.
The lights are just have a leg on each end. They are a lot sturdier than I thought they would be. I can move them side to side but not up or down.
I think it would be much easier to make an adjustable shaping stand then it would the lights to move up and down and keep them fairly sturdy.
Perhaps I can save the glassing for a good weather/flat water stretch in the summer.