AC/Swamp for my shop, suggestions please!

[cruiseroutfit]

Its far too toasty in my shop. It stays nice and cool until around noon but once it heats up in side it stays warm until late into the evening. I'm thinking even some big fans could help push that hot air out but I'd also like to look into some AC/swamp options. If I do swamp I'd like to stick with the roll-around option. I have radiant heat so I can't just add a cooling system to a furnace or similar. Shop is ~1200 sq. ft, 14 ft walls and a small office. Thoughts or suggestions?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Port-a-cool has come highly recommended but for my size requirements its nearly $1500
http://portablecoolers.com/prices/

 

[I Lean]

Build your own port-a-cool using normal home swamp cooler parts? Can probably pick them up almost freelike.

But really, I'm just subscribing since I've been having similar thoughts the last few weeks. I've wondered if a small window-mount A/C unit would make any difference at all for me. I'm a little worried about the humidity from a swamp cooler rusting steel stock.

I currently have a decent-sized fan, which helps a little....better than nothing, for sure.

 

[rockreligious]

subscribed...been pondering the same thing.

 

[TEAM FRED]

A/C is usually not used in shops due to shop doors being opened so frequently!
Swampers work well!
Porta cool is spendy!
Roof or window mount is much cheaper!
Give me a shout if you need one. I can also price the porta cools for you.

 

[jackjoh]

If the ceiling and walls are insulated a whole building exhaust fan with a small A/C for the office would probably be your cheapest route.

 

[BCGPER]

Roof mounted swamp would be the best bang for the buck, cheap to install and operate. I run a swamp in mine, and I haven't seen any rust issues on my bare steel stock but I suppose you may after time. FWIW, my doors are open a few inches whenever I run it. On a portable unit, you need to keep a lot more vetilation (like maybe a door completly open) or the moisture will build up badly.

 

[SLC97SR5]

Kurt, we ran 2 commercial sized swampers on a diesel repair/fab shop and they did the job. They did not produce any more surface rust than was noticed during the winter. We also use 3 extremely large units at the Hanger, unfortunately with the amount of heat out equipment produce it only drops the air temp by about 5* most nights.

I have a roof mounted unit slated for use in Rick's shop, I will report if we get it installed before you do.

Some of our Hanger's use the porta-cools and they are worth every penny, however you could pick up a window unit swamp cooler on KSL, mount it to a dolly and have nearly the same thing for less than $200.

 

[Karnage Fab]

i get used good coolers every once in a while, and sell them for about $100, just sold one today, and i have a little 4500 cfm down draft im gonna build a stand and an elbow for it and roll it around in my shop and point it where i need it, the window mount cooler isnt cuttin it.

 

[Gravy]

Mr. Nielson IS the HVAC MAN. FYI

 

[Tacoma]

www.bigassfans.com. Seriously.

 

[MikeGyver]

www.bigassfans.com. Seriously.

Awesome!

 

[rockdog]

I picked up a window mount swamp for $25 at a yard sale. I cut a hole through the rear wall of my garage and hung it there. I have been using it for several years. It cools the garage down nice and is permanently mounted. Cheap to run and nice and cool. My garage is insulated ceiling and walls. You couldn't breath out there before because it was so hot!

 

[pELYgroso]

we just removed a roof mount swamp cooler from a house that is in great shape. If you're interested let me know. We could do the install and everything....

 

[Kevin B.]

www.bigassfans.com. Seriously.

That's a big-ass fan.

 

[RogueJeepr]

I have a full-size window mount swamper for my shop and if I turn it on in the morning it'll stay 60* almost all day. If it rains I just use the fan to keep hummidity down. I also had a couple roof vents put in this spring since my roof never had any.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Lots of great options guys, thanks for all the advice and offers. I'm going to do a bit more research on options and I'll be in touch!