heat box or strip?

[macster]

I am going to try take-down longbow from binghams. If you use heat strips in your form, do you have to stick it in a hot box also. Also, what are some good dimensions for a heat box, for overall purposes, does it need to be vented, do you set the form in the bottom of the box or on some type of rails in the heat box. I am a newby, but I am getting the bug real bad to start building my own.

[DeployableBowyer]

When heating the bow in the form, the heat strips replace the need for the heat box. You don't use them together. I would say it is wise to also have a heat box for heating things like overlays, riser blocks and tips if you are also gluing them up with smooth on.

Your heat box should be big enough to hold the largest size bow you would ever make, plus enough room for clamps (for tips/overlays) and the heat bulbs above. At the same time, if you are using a heat box, I would also recommend putting a small plug in fan somewhere inside the box so that the heat can circulate all around the inside of the box instead of just concentrating on the spots right below the bulbs.

For dimensions I would say that 18"W x 24"H x 96"L would give you plenty of room for whatever you might throw in there.

[Russell S.]

my box is 12X20X80  in made it a bit smaller because of materials on hand, space, and efficiency,  it works like a champ however right in the middle of the top i had to open up the false top to clear the big c clamp for the riser.
 

i wish i would have gone 24 tall and used a false bottom and false top and added foam. i think i loss most my heat out the bottom.

as a side note mine acts as a seat and work bench for the lam grinder, scroll saw, drill press and sander, it is a great place to work on,  i can stand on it with no flex.  if you are limited it space it may be useful to make it strong enough to stand/work on.

[macster]

Thanks guys, good tips.

[Pat B]

I used Bingham's hot box design.

[macster]

Does binghams sell a hot box, or just the blueprint for one?