How cold is too cold?

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Ok, before anyone else says it, I'm a wuss.

That said, it was 17 frigging degrees here this morning with a high below freezing. Chilly by most standards.

My shop is poorly insulated...about R12 in the ceiling and nothing in the walls...drafty too.

I don't keep the heat on when I'm not there because it would cost a fortune.

I have three sources of heat: A vented 120,000 BTU forced air gas furnace (much of the heat goes up the vent pipe), an 60,000 BTU infrared gas heater hung from the ceiling in the lift room, and a heat pump which is really almost worthless if the ambient temperature is under 35 degrees.

This morning, I went out and turned on the infrared and gas furnace and came in for breakfast. An hour later it was up to 50 degrees in the shop but EVERYTHING I touched was still very cold. After an hour or so I gave it up and came in the house.

Of course, not HAVING to work makes the difference between staying in the shop and deciding to take a day off.

All that aside, at what temperature will you work in your shop/garage?