Building a temporary enclosure for working in cold

[TMala]

I am new to the site, I will be doing some work to my 69 20SF over the winter here in NJ. I plan on new transom at 27in, console work, swapping engines.

It would be nice to finish fiberglassing before next boating season and it will keep me busy in the winter. I am toying with the idea of building a temporary green house style enclosure and using a portable heater so I can fiberglass on nice days. Is this a crazy idea or would it possibly work? Anyone do anything like this before?

I see online I can get 6 mil clear greenhouse plastic 30ft X 50ft for about $150-$200, then I just need to frame out a temporary structure. The big thing will be trying to get it get around 70 degrees for resin to set when it's 40 out.

I also saw others have bought car port enclosures and things like that, but I really only need this to last from December to May and I would like it to be clear as on real sunny days it will help a lot with heat.

Thanks in advance for the input!

-Tom

[Locke N Load]

I picked up a bunch of lumber and nails and a 28'x64' roll of shrinkwrap this weekend. I looked into the carports but determined I don't think they would stand up to snow well. I am hoping to assemble my boat shed this coming weekend. My only issue now is time and finding a way to shrink the shrinkwrap. The heat gun is $300-500, but it can be rented for a week for $100. Or flame thrower for burning brush can be bought for $20. I am not sure that is the safest path to follow though. I will let you know how it goes. I am planning on a propane heater for warmth.

[FLexpat]

Just remember that both vinyl ester and polyester resins have a lot of styrene in them. Styrene vapors are pretty flammable and and an open flame on a heater can make it pretty exciting. Acetone is pretty similar. Don't burn or blow yourselves up.

[Locke N Load]

Good point. Electric heater maybe is a better idea.

[TMala]

Thats a good thought, I was going to get one of those 60,000 btu propane heaters, i was hoping that would do the trick, I think no matter what structure i build it should have adequate ventilation but I could throw a small fan in there if things get sketchy!

[flyingfrizzle]

I bought a party tent off of ebay for super cheap and it came with all metal tubing to set it up. Just added conveyor belt to the ground first prior to setting it up. I got mine mainly for painting in and added 4 box fans to the rear bowing positive pressure into the tent. This would also work well to holding heat in for doing those winter lays up also. It was a good cheap option and can be set up or took down in a half of day with 2 people.

[TMala]

I actually just came across that post a few days ago, I am looking around to see if I can find a party tent for cheap, good idea!

[CommercialCapt]

We had a frame at our shop that was left behind by a renter, I strapped it out, sheathed the sides & back, wrapped it, then put a door in. Works well, but is very moist which I expected. Won't be good for glass work with the moisture, I just laid down 3 inches of gravel to try and mitigate it. But it was mostly built to contain the dirty work of grinding, sanding, cutting, etc.
It will be impossible to heat for any extended period of time here in Eastern Canada. I can do the temperature and moisture sentsative work inside the main shop.

[DonV]

Two things, 1. the "shed" is really nice and 2. it looks really, really cold!!

[NoBones]

I agree ! Your temp enclosure looks great !

Do us all a favor and take that same position pic in late January or early
February ....

Rest assured it will look a lot colder than..

A man has got to do what a man has got to do..