Laminating oven bulb configurations

[LookMomNoSights]

I was wondering what people have experimented with in their laminating ovens.....number of bulbs,  placement,  bulb type? Anyone have much experience with different heat lamp bulbs?  I'm using a Ranco temperature controller....so maybe I have a little more flexibility with the bulbs? Ive covered the inside of the box with Reflectix bubble foil insulation to help hold heat.
Also,  99% sure I'm going to try the heat source at the bottom of the box....and the form will rested on supports that sit above the heat, as opposed to the bulbs being inside the lid.  Any reason why this might not be the best idea?

[rmorris]

I think I used (8) 100W lightbulbs in an 8 ft long oven lined it 1/2” aluminum back foam insulation.  I picked up (2) 600W dimmer switches and was able to control the temperature between 120 -200+ degrees. My bulbs were at the bottom and I attempted to use a fan to circulate the air but the high temp burns up the fans.

[Mad Max]

LookMom
I did my just like you said.
I have 8 bulbs some 100 and some 150
Mine takes a hour to come up to temp. with a fire hose form.

[jess stuart]

I have five bulbs in the lid of mine.  Built it twenty plus years ago to Binghams specs.  I usually have 200 watt bulbs in there but, in the summer I can get away with less wattage or fewer bulbs.  I have been thinking of building a new one  so the top of the oven is at workbench height and bulbs in the bottom.

[LookMomNoSights]

This box is a little taller too,  to make just a little more room at the bottom.   There is a little more volume to the box obviously.....I was wondering if heat lamp bulbs....say 150's or 200's would get it too hot.  As of now,  I have 4 sockets.   Any ever try actual heat lamp bulbs like they use to keep food warm or like you have outside of a shower in a bathroom?  thinking with the Ranco temperature control,  I can keep them from getting baking hot (overheating)?

[Pat B]

I used Bingham's Project blueprint for my box. It called for 4 200w bulbs. I also used an inline thermostat from Bingham and added 1" foil lined foam board all around. I found that with 4, 100w bulbs it would get up to temp fairly quickly. I also added a small appliance fan that circulates the hot air inside the box helping to eliminate hot spots.
 For stave drying purposes I added a 1" hole at the bottom of one end and another at the top of the other end to get the moisture out. For glue up I cork the 2 vent holes to hold the heat in.

[Pago]

I use a hacked space heater and a DIY controller.

I don't know why everybody uses more bulbs than I do... This has always boggled me...  Maybe because I am in Fla...  I use 2 to 3 bulbs from 40watts to 70watts ranging in different combinations... Lowest being around 90 to 100 degrees and the highest being around 180 degrees... It usually takes about an hour to get up to temperature...

   Why are you guys using 5 to 8 bulbs and such high wattages??  Is it to bring the temp up faster??  Are you also using thermostats??

[monterey]

I use 4 200 watt bulbs In a 96" long oven.  It wouldn't come up to temp till I used the foil backed foam in it.  Temp control is via the Bingham control switch.  Once it's up to temp it doesn't cycle off much at all.

I'm looking for a circulation fan solution.

[goobersan]

Am. Science & Surplus has 120V fans online. If possible place ceramic tiles between each bulb and form area. Along with the fan you'll have very consistent heat.

[monterey]

I'm going to check out the 120 fan.

I have one in the oven right now and it's cycling nicely between 156 and 170.  I think the fan would keep it more even.

[LookMomNoSights]

Originally posted by Shredd:
I don't know why everybody uses more bulbs than I do... This has always boggled me...  Maybe because I am in Fla...  I use 2 to 3 bulbs from 40watts to 70watts ranging in different combinations... Lowest being around 90 to 100 degrees and the highest being around 180 degrees... It usually takes about an hour to get up to temperature...

   Why are you guys using 5 to 8 bulbs and such high wattages??  Is it to bring the temp up faster??  Are you also using thermostats??

With the (4) 200 watt bulbs and my oven lined with Reflectix bubble foil insulation, the oven is up to temp of 160 in about 5 minutes. I use the Ranco temperature controller and set the variance for 3 degrees.  When the oven hits 160,  the controller shuts off the lights.  The temp still rises about 4 dregees due to the hot bulbs.  After about 5 minutes,  the temp will fall to 157 and the controller will turn the lights back on to bring the temp back to 160.  So my range as of now is between 157 and 164 ....and the oven takes no time to get there!