Replies

1. 
   jet | Feb 09, 2007 03:35am | #1

   Sound slike the same situation that Dad has.
   He heats with one of those 220v box heaters. Right behind the lathe.
   has been 15 years and never had any issues.
   Still don't know if it's safe or are we just lucky.

   "No doubt exists that all women are crazy; it's only a question of degree." - W.C. Fields
2. 
   McDesign | Feb 09, 2007 03:38am | #2

   I think that the concensus is that it's pretty much impossible to get a high enough dust concentratiuon in a wood shop to make a combustable mixture, and still breathe.

   Dust on heating coils or covers is the real issue.

   Where are you located, climate-wise?  I have good success with a window AC/heat-pump unit, near Atlanta.  Electric radiant for backup before this great "global warming" thing.

   Forrest

3. 
   segundo | Feb 09, 2007 05:46am | #3

   those high mounted self contained forced air furnaces (gas fired, vented to the outside of inhabited space) are routinely used for industrial applications just like what you mention.

   when the burners come on the fan comes on and the fan blows the dust off enough so that it doesn't accumulate to dangerous conditions. you just need to sweep it off and blow it out at the beginning of the season or whenever it has been off a long time.

   they are equipped with safety's and limits, and mounted up blowing down like that, they work well in that application

4. 
   Piffin | Feb 09, 2007 06:19am | #4

   I like electric.

    

    

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5. 
   RedfordHenry | Feb 09, 2007 06:22am | #5

   Running an inexpensive box fan with a furnace filter on the back side should keep the dust levels down to incombustible levels.  With an open flame (like a gas pilot), I'd be more concerned with vapors from flammable finishes.