An earlier thread questions the feasibility of using a kerosene heater
in a shop. I have use one for years, but the current increase in the
price of K1 has caused re-evaluation of this trend. Another factor is
the with kerosene, it's feast or famine. It's quick to heat the shop
up to temp, but due to the narrow range of heat output available with
kerosene heaters, mine being around 6,000BTU, it'll cook your goose
once temp has been reached. Excessive or cumulative production of CO
would be the remaining factor. It's a lot tighter since wrapping the
house and adding weather stripping.

With this in mind, I planned on adding a quartz electric heater to
help maintain a workable temp once the petrol had done the majority of
the work.

Of course, every heater I looked at, including the small Natural Gas
burners, is made in China. I gave up for the moment, but last night,
in a fit of stupidity, I went to WallyWorld/GreatSatan/SupremeBorg for
the first time in 5 years and purchased the only quartz heater they
stocked.

The Lakewood QTV-22 "Powerful Forced Fan Tower Quartz Heater".
Made in China.

Don't bother. I mean it, seriously.

First of all, and the reason I bought it, There Is NO Fan. The
thermostat is contained in a sealed housing atop the unit, where it is
subjected to the rising heat from the tubes, and simply arcs and
sputters, confused at to what temperature it is supposed to be
measuring. I'd give the contacts in this bi-metal abortion about 3
months before melting down or fusing permanently. The only positive
safety aspect of this is that it won't stay on long enough to actually
heat anything. It has a nice 3 prong power cord, but everything else
about this unit blows chunks. Poor design, useless performance,
fraudulent packaging, and a probable short life span makes this turd a
total waste of time and gasoline to purchase, not to mention the
manufacturing and transportation costs, and ultimate early disposal in
your local landfill.

No Thanks, Sam, I'll keep looking...

There was a bag of 16 assorted spring clamps for $4.44 that seemed a
good bargain. (The black ones with the neon-orange swivel tips.)

Almost all tools were Stanley (boo) and Chinese. In fact, everything I
looked at in the store was Chinese. I won't go back, I have missed
nothing for the past 5 years. Except collusive corporate behavior.

Caveat Emptor.


Greg G.