How do you cope working in the cold?

[gvee]

I'm not a big fan of the cold in general but because of current health problems and accompanying medication I have a huge problem keeping myself warm.

My extremities in particular take eons to warm up and only seconds to lose feeling.

How do you guys and gals cope working on your vans this time of year?

My van lives outside with no cover and I have a very small, awkward section of garage within which I can do some work. I'm hoping over the coming weeks to clear out the garage as much as possible but even if it were empty I don't have the clearance to get the van in.

The cold is a definite motivation killer for me at the moment

 

[shiplee123]

I work outside for my job have done for 11 years. The key to keeping warm is lots of layers a hat and thick socks

 

[KateLovesPurple]

Thermals, beanie and gloves. That and lots of hot coffee brought out by the missus!

 

[lard]

I have an electric heater in the van - I keep popping in to defrost and also try to do more interior than exterior work during the winter!

 

[ikklemack]

ive switched jobs on my bus for the winter, the welding in the freezing garage is on hold so i'm either going to be rebuilding and engine in a small shed with a decent heater or doing some interior trims bit in my house. that way i don't stop working on it

 

[dubscum]

layers of clothing is the key. 4 layers of tight (underneath) thinner clothes are warmer and not restrictive. 2 pairs of socks and a hat that covers your ears. I grew up on a farm, I work beneath the ground, You'll soon start stripping off when you get into so real graft. My land rover is colder than my camper :? In the evening when the log burners roaring I sit in a my shorts and vest, while the mrs is in a onesy with a duvet over her :lol: suppose it is what you used too

 

[dubscum]

double post

 

[dubscum]

saying all that, I don't enjoy fiddly jobs in this weather. I can't get on with gloves, so don't know how much i've hurt myself until I warm up later. I also suffer with hot aches and general pain in my joint, especially in my hands. Beer helps

 

[yachty]

Generally I put a pair of socks on and turn the heat up a little on the beer cooler!

Damn, these Mallorcan winters can be hard!

 

[bigdeano]

Eat enough crap food over the year ready for the winter, pile the tonnage on, end up looking like a minky whale, thats what i do!!

 

[gvee]

Fiddly stuff is the worst. I am wearing gloves indoors right now as I type as my hands are so cold :lol:

I gave all my ski gear away a couple of years back and miss it so much right now. Going to have to get me some long johns and more base layers methinks.

Someone has also suggested to me that I get "fishing gloves" because they apparently have detachable index finger and thumb tips for fiddlyness. Will look in to this and report back if I find some that are any cop. Who knows how to keep warm better than those crazy people who sit still on a river bank in all weathers!?


Lard, does the heater run off the van leccy or is it a mains one? Any details?

Cheers all

 

[middi]

Im a roofer so outside in all weathers
Base layers are great let the skin breath but keep heat in Tights and legging are another good one to keep you warm and dont forget a nice woolie hat
My bus is outside in all weathers as well

 

[rickyrooo1]

if you do work in your shed/garage fixing stuff and it's concrete floored make a wooden lattice board to stand on and that helps no end.

 

[sidecargezzer]

:shock: I'm no help I live the Calif desert our idea of cold is not even close. Out here the temp can drop 30 to 40 degrees when the sun goes down but the winter days can be in the 30's to the 70's at times,,,,and it's a dry cold, like it's a dry heat. I do have to work outside as I have no garage and layered is how I deal with it when it does get cold

 

[busdiver]

agree with middi, when i worked on site tights and thermal undies gonna have to do that again as unit where i have camper to work on has no real heating, also use these type of glove, http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00569ZDHA/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=11068759565&ref=asc_df_B00569ZDHA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and put a pair of latex surgical type gloves underneath to seal in the heat, on the feet riggers boots and 2 pairs of socks

 

[Eeza]

Lots of layers then when you get finished shove a hot water bottle in the small of your back, it warms the kidneys and your toasty in no time.....

 

[dazza1975]

I normally just were jeans, t shirt and a fleece. The key is a nice wooly hat and a thick pair of socks!! Once your cold your cold so pop back in side to warm up then start again!

Either that or work faster :lol: :lol:

 

[dub boy]

well been in the building game twenty years now ,the cold really gets to me ,to be onest its just about finished my resto and i have had to walk away for a while ,i have never minded working in the cold but i am 45 now and the last cupple of years with the snow have started to get to me and what with the weather at the mo and not being able to get on when i want has got to me a bit .moan over :lol: .never went on scaffold without long jhons on and a good thermal vest allways warm ,just try to keep moveing .

 

[r73]

Yeah I've been working outside for the last 24 years - layers are the key. I'm rarely cold tho cos to earn enough money I've gotta work too hard :lol:
Different doing the bus tho - cos your generally not moving a lot.
The wind, rain and snows the worst - it does get me down that I don't do much work on me dubs during the winter tho

 

[sparkywig]

Plenty of layers George, and some latex gloves under work gloves for fiddly bits when you need to take your gloves off.
It's easier to stay warm than get warmed up after being chilled, although this year I've found it harder to work outside. Must be an age thing. :lol:

Try and get some cold store gloves. Much thinner than "normal" gloves but warmer as well.