Cold-Weather Woodworking – Part 1

Winter has arrived in many a woodshop in the Northern Hemisphere, but our love of the craft keeps us battling cold temperatures just for a few hours at the bench. Cold-weather woodworking is not for the faint of heart, but here are some considerations for making the best of it.

Let’s Start With You

A winter woodshop wardrobe is a function of both warmth and safety. Dress in lots of thin layers and avoid bulky clothes that may get caught in machines. I could wax poetic about the merits of merino wool, but I’ll spare you. Vests are a great choice for the woodshop, and if you’ve never experienced the wonder of a battery-powered vest, you’re missing out. For about $160, a heated vest will give you 6 hours of warmth day after day. The heating elements are located in the back of the vest as well as the front pockets, so they’re great for warming up cold hands. Best of all, heated…