Keeping Warm

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okay... i have a question concerning what i assume to be a fairly predominant situation with hobby welders, as well as professionals. when the weather is pissy out (minly snowy, cold and windy weather), how do you stay warm? my project (BBQ) is too big to fit into my family's already-too-crowded garage, and even if it wasn't, the fumes are not all that great that come off of NR-211 MP. i am currently working on the back patio that has a fixed roof-deal on it (2x4's and some plastic sheathing), but no walls. it has been snowing pretty well for the past few days and there doesn't seem to be much end in sight. i need to get this project done (christmas gift), and the elements are keeping me from feeling my toes and fingers for much after about a half-hour outside. i also do not have a "disposable" coat (one that i don;t care if it gets brned by spatter and berries) that can keep me warm for about an hour whne i just sit in the same area for about an hour or so. so, i guess my question is this... when you guys are required to keep warm outside, how do you keep warm?any help is greatly appreciated... like i said, i need to get this project done pretty soon and the weather just isn't cooperating.Later,Andy
Reply:Get some more tarps and 2x4's and build a makeshift roof for your 'shed'Make it drafty enough that a torpedo heater can exhaust.I used one of those portable tent looking 10x20 white tarp garages for better part of last winter.  Without the heater, it was a snow-free semi wind free work zone.
Reply:It sounds like you have a roof already, and I'm assuming that this roof is supported by some posts somewhere near the edge of the patio.  If that's the case, I would use tarps between the posts to for a makeshift "wall" to block the wind.  Granted, I'm in central Texas, and it doesn't get very cold here for very long, but in my experience, the wind is the biggest factor that makes me cold.  Even if it's freezing outside, as long as the wind isn't blowing, and I have a good sweatshirt on, I'm fine.  If the wind is blowing, no amount of jackets can keep me warm.Contact me for any metal polishing needs you may have, my avatar is a pic of a standard, painted fire axe that I ground, sanded polished and buffed to a mirror finish.
Reply:Heavy leather welding jackets and gloves are really freaking warm...  I weld outside in the freezing cold all the time. I just put all my leathers on to stay toasty.I like to party!
Reply:If you can stand being wired to an umbilical, get some 12v electric socks and vest.   You won't have to be plugged in all the time.  Just a periodic warm-up will do, usually.
Reply:Andy, buy some Carhardts and decent boots, you live in the Midwest...quit yer whining and spend yer cash...LOLAnything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Insulated coveralls can be picked up cheaply and work very well.
Reply:Thermals under a long-sleeve shirt and/or flannel, and then your welding leathers is what i'd try.  Thermals are underated, those things can keep you WARM, man!  Maybe even double up on them if 1 set isn't enough, that oughtta be enough to make ya sweat lol.Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:I second Olddads comment, you live in Nebraska.You sound like the guys at work. Our building has 27 loading docks around the building, there is always a door open, so it gets chilly. "Its so cold" they say Well then put some more damn clothes on. This is the only time of year I can actually wear all my leathers without getting soaked in sweat.OK Im ranting sorry, go buy some leathers man.
Reply:Last week it was 1 degree out, with the wind chill. I dressed for success, in the cold, and went outside to work on the big shop (trim, move stuff around outside, etc.) If you dress warm, like your mommy taught you, wear the proper boots, you will stay warm. As stated, the other option is to build some mock walls, with tarps and try to heat the existing space. The nice addition of a wall or tarp wall is that it will block the wind. Add in the factor of wind chill and it can knock the temp down considerably. Last option - grow a set of nuts and brave the cold you wuss!   John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:if you got walls up then the general wleding process should provide heat. we aren't using crazy glue on the steel. or get a nice heater, which is fine if your in the welding shack. but some carharts and some of the new style thermals are all you need. i have a old army wet weather top (rain coat) and i put a field jacket liner inside it. man that thing is warm and keeps the wind off when i wear the matching pants. but it doesn't work in welding. something about the rubberized material melting to my skin sorta drives that idea away."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:Last winter I was working on cell towers.  About January, I called the contractor I was working for and told him if the temp ends in "Teen" then I was staying home.  Call me a wuss, I don't get much done when its that cold.The plus side......I wear long johns and insulated coveralls.  I like it because I don't get Burnt!  I go through a set of insulated coveralls every year.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneLast option - grow a set of nuts and brave the cold you wuss!
Reply:instead of regular thermals, get poly pros... The military issued thermal underwear. soooo much warmer and more comfortable plus they are a super cool brown color so when you get skidmarks in them and your wife is doing your laundry she'll never know.I like to party!
Reply:thanks guys... i'll probably try the tarp and heater idea first... i only need to have something for another month, or at least until i get this project done... after that, i'll be getting into my new house in late january... i'll ahve plenty of room in there and i can throw a heater in with no problem... my main issue now is just wind... when ever its cold and calm, i'm fine... but if it's less than 20 and breezy, it's jsut annoying to have to go outside. i already have the tarps and heater, and the way everything is set-up, i can just bungy-cord it or string it up with no problems.Thanks again!Later,Andy
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloI now have my new sig line!!!!! The beast has awoken in Microzone!! No turning back now John you're one of us...
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZone WELL, the beast has always been there Paul, I just keep it calm and relaxed through many years of trial and error. Being both Italian and Irish doesn't help any matters...temper, temper.
Reply:Thanks OD! Yes, I can be very strong minded. Apparently, it doesn't apply when working for a forum, whose parent company resides in the United States of America and the comment was WAY past the borderline of infringing upon the Patriot Act. Again, it didn't matter that I was trying to protect both the forum and it's owners. My "opinion" wasn't reasonable to expose to forum members. So, after some discussion and being in disagreement with how the forum was arranged, I resigned. However, I do think now the forum has a good grasp on matters. It took some making noise but once in a while someone has to sacrifice, make the noise or be the "rebel" to get things accomplished.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:thanks to everyone for their help... i found some extra tarps in the garage last night... my dad had a couple heavy canvas ones out in the shed that should work out great. i have class tonight, but i can try them out tomorrow i hope.I would also like to extend my deepest thanks and gratitude towards OD and Micro... once again, they have found out a way to hijack my thread and be the usual grumpy, OLD guys (and i emphasize OLD) that i have grown to know. hehehehehehe  Later,Andy
Reply:SEE, there are benefits to being a "curmudgeon", they EXPECT IT from me...LOLAnything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Originally Posted by aczellerI would also like to extend my deepest thanks and gratitude towards OD and Micro... once again, they have found out a way to hijack my thread and be the usual grumpy, OLD guys (and i emphasize OLD) that i have grown to know. hehehehehehe  Later,Andy
Reply:I'll just start off by admitting I am a SoCal weather-whimp. I get really uncomfortable when my feet are cold.  Warm feet= Happy Camper.When I was on a temporary assignment in Portland one winter, it was -15* with wind chill.  I had everything I owned on + an artic parka and was still cold in a matter of minutes.  I was watching over a construction project and the contractors were working all day starting at "dark:30" fabricating and welding pipeline equipement. They had on the full Carthart leather artic wear, coveralls, coats, gloves and a hat that closed down to a eye/nose hole.That were working against a timeline and the project had to go on despite the weather.  I was hunkered down in my heated office unless I had to venture out to check on some details or ask questions.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Hey! I'm not old...I prefer "experienced".John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by olddadAndy, buy some Carhardts and decent boots, you live in the Midwest...quit yer whining and spend yer cash...LOL