Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey everybody, it's been a while since I've been on here. I just graduated college and moved into an apartment so its time to start putting a woodshop together in my kitchen! I need a system to control the humidity in a small space. Im not sure where to look so I was hoping the fine folks on this forum could point me in the right direction!

I would rather buy something that is inexpensive but less durable because I need to populate and entire woodshop (which will be pricey). I don't even have a work bench or a band saw yet . My plan is to start off by buying a humidity control unit and my wood. Then, while my wood is adjusting to the environment, I can pick up a work bench and a band saw so that I can get started on the neck. I DO have about two toolboxes worth of tools and equipment for luthierie but there is a lot that I will still need.

So what are some inexpensive units that I should take a look at?

-Alex

IMO, humidity isn't a big issue with wood storage for slab guitars, so....

Depends what you want; more humid or less? My first shop was in a high rise in Seattle with only south windows and it was just about right all year.

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Pat

You can get a whole-house portable humidifier from Lowes for about $200 that will work well. I use one for my 2 1/2 car garage shop and it has worked well for going on 6 years. Filters are available online and I get about 6-8 weeks from a set, depending on outside temps and humidity. Also, get a couple digital hygrometers made for cigar humidors, about $20. Calibrate these using a Psychro-dyne wet/dry bulb hygrometer and you will find that the accuracy of the digitals is off by varying amounts throughout the year as seasons change. I got my Psychro-dyne on eBay for $60. In the summer use a standard dehumidifier. In my experience, using these basic things will keep any shop that is reasonably sealed against excessive air exchange at the necessary 45-50% RH year around.

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It will probably be alright.

In Chicago you need a humidifier in the heating months if one is not built into your heating system(forced air only). Depending on your proximity to the lake, if you have AC you should be OK in the non-heating months. If you are close you may need a de-humidifier...especially if you don't have AC. Look on Craigslist. I bought a +$200 humidifier/humidistat (like a thermostat) for $45. You need a reliable hygrometer. I use a Samsung S4 phone. It has a decent meter and there are apps that allow you to calibrate it and keep a log.

If the humidity is to high gets some Boston Fern's. They absorb moisture from the air. Certain other types of plants will do the opposite If your humidity is to low. They look nice and don't make any noise too.

Sent from my HTC Desire 626s using Tapatalk

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Another day, another dollar.

The Galaxy hss a hygrometer?! Is that an app?

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Pat

Sorry Pat! I forgot to check the notification box for this thread and just saw your question.

Yes there is a physical hygrometer in the S4 along with a thermometer, barometer and light meter. The Android app I use is Weather Station. I think the S4 is the only Galaxy with the hygrometer but look into it before you make a purchase if this is a feature you want.