I built a small workshed in my backyard where I can tackle furnishing refinishing projects.
As a hobby, I like to find older pieces of furniture that are constructed of hardwood but have been mistreated.
I can often find really beautiful, antique cupboards, tables, dressers and desks that have been painted over. They might be missing hardware or seem hideous simply because of the color. Beneath the layers of paint is often gorgeous wood such as oak, black walnut and cherry. The process of refinishing each piece is labor-intensive, time-consuming and messy. I need to use harsh chemicals and electric sanders. There’s tons of fumes and dust. Plus, I need a clean and temperature controlled environment to apply the final finish of polyurethane. To accommodate my requirements, I outfitted the workshed with a ductless heat pump. This was an ideal choice because the heat pump is compact and required very little for installation. The outdoor compressor is linked to the indoor air handler by a narrow conduit that fits through a three-inch hole in an exterior wall. The system runs on electricity and is especially energy efficient. The indoor air handler mounted up high on the wall, is unobtrusive and lightweight. It operates quietly, filters out contaminants and provides both heating and cooling capacity. I especially like that I can operate it through an app on my phone. I’m able to start up the heat pump shortly before I head out to work on one of my projects. Within a few minutes, the system achieves a comfortable temperature.