Cold Weather and my saw.

[Hawk]

I'm planning to move one of my saws to the garage, on a cart, so I can roll it outside during the summer to enjoy some outdoor cutting. My concern is come winter if I leave it in the garage (I'm in mid Michigan) will the cold have any adverse affect on the saw? I would have it covered to keep dirt and such off of it, but would the prolonged cold ( sub zero at times) be bad for the saw?

Chris

[Wichman]

The issue isn't the cold, per se, the repeated cold metal and warm, moist air is the issue. The moisture in the air will condense on the metal and that's a bad mix.

[kmmcrafts]

Before I had heat in the shop I run my saw year round out there.. Yes, I run it out there even when it was only 7F in there and below zero outside, LOL.. I never had any issues for the first 10 years with no heat.. Back then I was really busy so the saw may not have sat long enough to cool off  .. Sometimes idle machines have more issues than ones that are used everyday so you should go out there and use it.. 

Now that I'm older and have heat in the shop I don't want to go out and work because it's a cold 20ft walk to the shop and it's just too cold to get to work so I have a lot of snowdays in the winter now. 

[Hawk]

My thinking is for the first winter just put a cover over it and see how it goes in spring. I'm facing back surgery later this month, so moving it this fall is a no go according to my neurosurgeon. 

[kmmcrafts]

12 minutes ago, Hawk said:

My thinking is for the first winter just put a cover over it and see how it goes in spring. I'm facing back surgery later this month, so moving it this fall is a no go according to my neurosurgeon. 

I think it'll be fine, I would put a cloth or breathable cover on it as you don't want to "trap" the moisture in it... if you're going to cover it. My experience is when the temps start warming up in the spring time the floor and everything starts sweating.. that's when you may want to either run some fans to help circulate and sort of dry the air etc. Most times here in lower Michigan the dampness isn't too bad especially during the coldest part of winter.. but like I said when that spring thaw comes and we have those damp weather and sometimes foggy misty days.. 

Had a friend back in high school that had a old car he was fixing on and over the winter he covered it with some big plastic like drop cloth thing that wasn't breathable... car sat covered like that for a couple years and once uncovered it was a big pile of rust, LOL.. It's better to have air flow than anything so it can dry out etc. 

That being said, might be better for it to run a fan on it during those thaw high humidity days than covering it up.. Maybe someone else has a better idea.. Could also put those moisture absorbent cups / packets things all around it?

[Dan]

I've had my table saw in the garage in Alaska, Kentucky, and Ohio over the past 20+ years and have had no issues other than leaving wood and tools on the table. 

[Millwab]

My FIL used to have his machines in the garage year round (NE Ohio). He would always make sure to wax them well before putting them away for the winter to keep from rusting. 

[Hawk]

9 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I would put a cloth or breathable cover on it as you don't want to "trap" the moisture in it

Hadn't thought of that, I'll plan on that and in the spring putting a fan to circulate the air too!!!  Thanks

3 hours ago, Dan said:

I've had my table saw in the garage in Alaska, Kentucky, and Ohio over the past 20+ years and have had no issues other than leaving wood and tools on the table. 

Good to know...Thanks

Chris

[GregBennett]

I've had my saws in an unheated shop for years. Occasionally I've gotten condensation on the table. I'll dry it and apply car wax and it's good as new.