On Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:50:28 -0600, thunder
wrote:


You could put a tarp or polyethylene sheeting across the rafters to
shrink the size of the garage.

Think we'll go that way. Not too practical to cover all the joists (I
said rafters by mistake), as the garage is about 21' x 22' and one end
would have to attach to the overhead door. Got a feeling the heater
still wouldn't do much. But you got me thinking. An 8'x8' work area
could easily be covered. Better yet 12'x12'.
Joists are 8' from the ground.
There's a 30' x 30' tarp here for 45 bucks.
http://www.tarpsplus.com/noname.html

Let's say I mark out the center 12' x 12' of it.
Still have 9' left on all sides.
Put attachment rings on that outline, spaced for the joists.
Put screw hooks in the joist bottoms to loop the rings on.
Hang it up.
All sides drop down 9', hitting the floor.
One side will drape over the car by the windshield or by whatever end
I'm working on. Front in, or backed in, depending.
End up with nice heat entrapping box, car end nosed under it.
Slice a corner of the tarp 6' up for access and safety ventilation.
The extra foot should take care of corner wrinkles that might keep it
from hitting the floor. Could rig the hooks lower too, maybe 7' from
ground. Hooks on straps wrapped on the joists instead of screwing
them in. Mark the places when I get it right. Put it all away when
not used. But the stiff stationary hooks might better keep it all
square, so I'm tending that way. Besides, I have a couple 4'x8'
plywood sheets up there to store stuff, nailed down, and they'll get
in the way of wrapping straps.
Bet just one heater would warm it up nice. Might even have to turn
the heater down.
Put a small box fan in there too, on low to move the air around and
keep the tarp ceiling from getting too hot.
Couple stools to sit on. A small table to hold parts and tools.
Maybe a cooler with beer. Chips and dip. Some girly mags.
Or maybe some Boater mags and Nat Geos instead. A TV?
With 12'x12' might get a cot in there. Hell, that's almost as big as
my bedroom.
This could work real good if I get in a fight with my wife when it's
cold out.
Thanks guys. You put me on the right path.
Found these when I looked for tarp attachers to hang it up.
http://shelter-systems.com/gripclips/assembly.html
Look like they could be useful for boaters playing with tarps too.
I'll get 8 of the general purpose for hanging the tarp.
But I'll wait a bit before I order the tarp and attachers, in case
somebody points out a hole in my plan.

--Vic