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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: mzombek on January 20, 2024, 11:40:47 AM

Title: Hot box set up
Post by: mzombek on January 20, 2024, 11:40:47 AM
I am in the process of building a hot box. I bought the thermostat from Bingham projects. Not sure what the high temp is before the thermostat shuts off. What is a good insulation to use inside of the box that can handle the heat.
Thanks for you help.
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: Noah70 on January 20, 2024, 01:00:26 PM
I never insulated the interior of the box, I lined all surfaces with heavy duty foil. Then gave a light coat of spray foam to the outside, not enough to make it bulky, about 1/2”. Seems to hold the heat well and the Bingham thermostat cycled as needed. I use a different method now, but the box performed very well too.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: kennym on January 20, 2024, 02:37:22 PM
My heat box is always in the way, so next one will be 1/2 or 3/4 " foil faced both sides foam made into a folding box with no bottom and the heat source on a piece plywood on top. Set it on concrete floor and put the lid on and go...

Then I can take it down and store it easy. Mine takes up waaay too much shop space.
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: Kirkll on January 20, 2024, 03:44:04 PM
You really don't need insulation on those things, but the foil back foam holds up well under heat until you tear it up... I used 4 - 200 watt light bulbs on mine and have an adjustable thermostat. The old binghams thermostat shuts down at 160 degrees i believe..... i only use mine in winter for curing riser block lay ups.
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: Sam Harper on January 20, 2024, 04:02:18 PM
Foam board insulation is cheap and easy to use. One time I made a hotbox with just foam board insulation - no wood. I taped it all together with metal tape.
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: Mad Max on January 20, 2024, 05:18:36 PM
I used this but my box is big and deep

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Reflectix-R-21-50-sq-ft-Unfaced-Reflective-Roll-Insulation-24-in-W-x-25-ft-L/3011904
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: Mad Max on January 20, 2024, 05:20:11 PM
You really don't need insulation on those things, but the foil back foam holds up well under heat until you tear it up... I used 4 - 200 watt light bulbs on mine and have an adjustable thermostat. The old binghams thermostat shuts down at 160 degrees i believe..... i only use mine in winter for curing riser block lay ups.

I think it is 185 to 150
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: Kirkll on January 20, 2024, 08:18:31 PM
You really don't need insulation on those things, but the foil back foam holds up well under heat until you tear it up... I used 4 - 200 watt light bulbs on mine and have an adjustable thermostat. The old binghams thermostat shuts down at 160 degrees i believe..... i only use mine in winter for curing riser block lay ups.

I think it is 185 to 150

You know something.... you may be right about those Binghams thromotats being 180-185 shut off. I had my temp set at 160 with my adjustable set up.
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: derekdiruz on January 20, 2024, 11:39:16 PM
Mine is mildly foil lined (half torn off by use). And I’ve got a temp controller set on mine for 150 at the height of the glue up. Mine does have the binghams temp controller thing on it up top- but I noticed it was kicking the bulbs off at 110-114° at the height of the glue up. So I added the ink bird for a few reasons, one to bypass that switch.

Soon I plan to add a fan- just to ensure the heats distributed.
Title: Re: Hot box set up
Post by: goobersan on January 31, 2024, 09:06:51 PM
Mine is insulated with foil lined foam, foil facing in. Never had any issues. I do recommend a fan along with Ceramic tiles to protect the form from any Hotspot. With those additions I only needed 2 bulbs on to maintain temp.