ABCar

I have a pole barn that is not drywalled or insulated, yet.
I want to work on it this winter so here is my dilema and possible solution.
build a mini structure around my car that is big enough to stand in, and include working room and tools. I was considering using wood stand-ups with reflective foam core insulating panels for the "roof". I would then drape (tarps?-I hate tarps!) around the sides and bring the following items into my little igloo.

1. Early in the day...Hot Chocolate
2. Later, Beer. (portable fridge being considered for the igloo)
3. Matt to stand on for comfort and so my feet dont freeze.
4. Multidrawer tool cabinet.
5. Strong Space heater
6. Suspended lights
7. A chair to sit and read DIY pages over and over until I figure out what I did wrong on steps, 5,6 & 13.
8. Cell phone to call "room service"
9. The new parts with more install instructions
10. insert your suggestions here

When trapped in Michigan for the winter, act "as-if"


PS. Next year at this time I plan on having the place properly appointed with real walls, heater, lights and floor paint/sealant

mhm993

How about one of those plastic temporary garages, instead. Not insulated, but that wouldn't stop you from laying some sort of cheap batting on the "roof".

If you need some garage ideas re walls and so forth, check out Garagejournal.com. (No affiliation, but these guys are pretty over top top about their workshops and garages)

alpinadvl

HAHA !!!! why is it always steps 5, 6 and 13?!

jscott82

What is a pole barn? Is it enclosed? Picture?

Those kerosene "jet" heaters put out alot of BTU and could probably keep any enclosed space above freezing...

PorscheDoc

I've used a knipco heater and insulated coveralls in below zero weather in an uninsulated shop and was fine. Not an ideal working condition, but cheap. Put the money from anything temporary into insulating the walls and a good heater for next year. Too bad it sounds like your floor is already poured, radiant heat in the floor is awesome.

number9ine

Look man, Matt's a nice guy and doesn't deserve to be your pole barn footstool.

ABCar

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thanks for all the ideas. If I had one thing to do over I would certainly do heated floors. The rest I will do in the spring. My "igloo" will be a temporary and cheap work area during the winter.

Garth S

Save $$ on the portable fridge ...... set the two-four pack ( that's 24 beer to you teetotalers ) on the slab outside the igloo .... if they start to freeze, stuff one in your coveralls to soften it enough for drinking ! Man up to the true north ....

ABCar

^^^^oh yeah^^^^ duh on me!! The beer is in the snow now.

ABCar

Don't laugh,,,it works for me!
I semi-enclosed an area around my car,and keep a strong portable heater nearby as planned. I can move it forward and back depending on which end of the car I am working. It is not as pretty as I had hoped but it does keep the heat from escaping and I can stay fairly warm for a long time while I work.
A cold beer, greasy gloved hands, tools and music complete the winter Porsche scene.

Terry Adams

Hole in the floor for some ice fishing.

RollingArt

I don't want to be a party poopper , but if it starts snowing good isn't that roof going to end up crashing down on your car? Doesn't exactly look like it was engineered to withstand a snow load?

Good luck!


Phil

ABCar

You California types are a little out of touch! I actually accounted for the snow part but building a garage around this stucuture first! Hopefully that will not cave in.
The car is actually within a large garage already...it is simply not insulated or heated so I built this sub-structure simply to keep the heat close around me while I work on the car...

Bad as it looks it is pretty sturdy and very effective. I was out there for 3 hours last night with the heater on low and it stayed pretty warm in the styrofoam igloo!

RollingArt

.
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Yeah, I may be a bit out of touch with the whole indoor "warmth igloo" concept.

It's currently 58* at 11:30 am. Life's a bitch out here. I'm about to pull the 997 out of the garage for a little christmas day spin. Maybe hit the Santa Cruz mts. for some spirited curve carving. That's about 8 mins. from my house. Got driving shoes on! Damn I'm loving my life! If you want I can post pics.

Stay warm.

Merry Christmas!



Phil

ABCar

Hang on...I just slipped on the ice/slush stuff on the way out to the "igloo-pole barn" thingy. I think I may have ingested some calcium cloride (ice-melt crystals for you coastal folks)...Oh dear...My pole barn has ice damming and is now leaking on the igloo. thank god it's water repellent!. oh, never mind that part. Well, back to work...time to change out my distributor caps & rotors.
and Yes...since you mentioned it, PLEASE post some pictures. I could use them about now. and watch out for earthquakes, landslides, fires!
Andy