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Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=20568		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  LanceK [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
Hi Folks,
Ive been sort of down due to cold weather up here in Michigan. My shop which has a humidity range of
45 to 50 RH and a temp range of 68 to 72 F has been right around 60* F for the last 3 or 4 weeks due to the
FREAKIN cold weather!
Ive resisted doing much of anything except cleaning and maying some bindings and sanding.
My question, since ive never experienced colder than normal temps, what if any negative effects would I
encounter if I were to plunge ahead? By the way, my RH has stayed steady.

This cold is getting pretty "OLD" [headinwall]

Thanks
Lance
Author:  Hesh [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
Lance my friend I think that you are OK so long as your RH is stable and you don't get much below 60F. The only thing that I think that would be impacted is glue cure times. I think you can press on if you just factor in some more cure time.
Author:  David R White [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
My shop is often at that temperature. I have glued using CA, epoxy, titebond, and fish glue with no problems (it probably does take a little longer to cure as Hesh suggests). I would be a little hesitant about any finishing at that temperature though.
Author:  Frei [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
You could use a space heater, and hang a room of canvas/plastic. I am doing this on my gobar deck to keep the RH level stable. I use heavy canvas to glue up braces with heat gun warming everything up. It helps keep the heat in. (Basement is about 60 normally.) Plastic will hopefully hold the RH, gotta test next week.
Author:  Pat Foster [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
Lance,

I've built at temps between 55 and 75 with no ill effects but needing to do more warming of parts for HHG.

Here's a discussion from a few years ago.

http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=10275&hilit=saturation

The short answer is go ahead!

Pat
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
I can't speak for how glue works at different temperatures, but changes in wood moisture content, and therefore wood movement, are relative to changes in relative humidity, not absolute humidity. That's why we measure in relative humidity, not absolute humidity. If my shop stayed at 50% relative humidity I wouldn't hesitate to start gluing stuff whether it was 80 degrees or 60.
Author:  Ken McKay [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
lex_luthier wrote:
I can't speak for how glue works at different temperatures, but changes in wood moisture content, and therefore wood movement, are relative to changes in relative humidity, not absolute humidity. That's why we measure in relative humidity, not absolute humidity. If my shop stayed at 50% relative humidity I wouldn't hesitate to start gluing stuff whether it was 80 degrees or 60.



I agree with Lex Lance. You really should be just fine if the RH is low enough for cross grain gluing operations.
Author:  LanceK [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
Excellent,
Thanks guys!
Iz what I needed to hear!
Author:  Hank Mauel [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Effects of building in colder than normal temps?
Titebond says not to use when glue and/or parts get below 50 degrees, so you should be OK. For HHG, I warm the parts (braces, back seam support, bridge plates, etc) on an old Salton (food) warming tray. Gets the parts up to 120-130 degree range so the HHG doesn't skim over too soon and you can get the part in place. I've tested the glue at about 55 degrees in my shop and it takes more than a minute for it to skin over when spread on a test piece. That ought to give you time to place and clamp, the rest is up to evaporation. I do let the clamps set overnight for an added measure of security, but have experience NO glue failures using this method in cool/cold weather.
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