Woodworking Business

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Humidification Systems

12/27/16       
Jerry Cunningham

I'm looking for suggestions of a humidification system for my shop. It's 5600 sq.ft in PA. On cold days when they gas heat runs all day the humidity level can drop to around 20% which is causing cupping and splitting of our wood.

I think my shop is probably a little too big for portable household units, but maybe not big enough for an industrial system.

Thanks for your help!
Jerry

12/27/16       #2: Humidification Systems ...
RichardP

Hi,
In a 4500 sq.ft. shop located in upstate ny,
we got a humidifier from grainger. It was made to be installed in residential ductwork.
We had no ductwork so built a box with an old furnace blower and ran a water line to the humidifier. No controls, just on full time.
This made a huge difference with minimal cost.
Rich

12/27/16       #3: Humidification Systems ...
JeffD

My shop is only 2400 sf but the ceiling is about 30' at the peak which doesn't help. I bought the largest Sears model which puts out 4+ gallons a day and it still falls short of what I need. So I'd say your right that these won't work for you unless you buy multiple units.

good luck,
JeffD

12/28/16       #4: Humidification Systems ...
Gary

I have been using a couple of Bahnson Type E humidifiers from DnB HumidifierMfg. in 6000 sq. ft. for about six years now. They have been working quite well since then.

About the only thing they require is to be cleaned out a couple times a year. They hang from the ceiling so dust settles in them.

A 1/4" water line is plumbed to them so they fill themselves as needed. I found out about them at the Vegas or Atlanta show.

12/28/16       #5: Humidification Systems ...
Jerry Cunningham

Thanks for the suggestions. I might try 2 of the Home Depot units to start with and maybe I'll get a season out of them. The type E Gary suggested would be perfect, but they are $1500 each.

12/28/16       #6: Humidification Systems ...
Kevin Member

Rich, which unit did you purchase from grainger? This is something I've been struggling with for years.

12/29/16       #7: Humidification Systems ...
RichardP

Kevin,
I am not seeing the same model at graingers. This one is similar.
https://www.sylvane.com/skuttle-86-ud-humidifier.html?s_cid=cse_gpl&gclid=CJnA
oLy6mdECFReewAod6QYBDw
The one we used had disks on an axel instead of a drum. It did get fine dust inside and should have had some kind of filter ahead of it. Hope this helps.
Rich

12/29/16       #8: Humidification Systems ...
Wood Dust

Rich,

Any chance you can share a picture of your setup? I think id like to give that a try

12/29/16       #9: Humidification Systems ...
RichardP

Wood dust,
Closed that shop 20 years ago. Not sure if camera was invented then. Just build a box with legs so the humidifier can hang below.
Inside the box a furnace blower, the ones with internal motor work best. On the intake side use a furnace filter to reduce dust buildup. 1/4" water line and you are good to go. Hope this helps.
Rich

1/1/17       #10: Humidification Systems ...
Gene Wengert-Wood Doc

At 70F, the amount of moisture required to increase the humidity from 20% RH to 38% RH is around 1 pint per 3000 cubic feet of air. Of course, air leaks to the outside or dust systems that vent to the outside will greatly increase this.

You do not want to go above 38% RH, as this will be much more humid that a customer's home or office, so the wood will shrink when the customer gets it...high humidity just pushes the problem to the customer.

Also, note that dry wood is quire strong, so observed cracking is often a small unnoticed crack that grows rather than creation of new cracks.

1/2/18       #11: Humidification Systems ...
the google

jerry,

what did you go with and what have been your results?

after almost 10 years without an humidity control in the winter, we're running into issues with too dry air. it normally isn't this cold for prolonged periods for us, but cracks are multiplying quickly.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)