Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: osage outlaw on January 11, 2013, 08:52:39 pm
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I'm thinking its time to make a hotbox for my shop. I'm looking for some ideas and pics of something I can build easily. I want to mount it on the wall in my shop above the window. That is about the only wall space I have left :( I don't need anything real big, maybe one that will hold a couple of roughed out bows. Please post some pics if you can. I love to see other peoples shops. Thanks :)
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clint,i have some light bulb fixtures and hinges for one i was going to build.if you want them,they are yours brother.i am not going to get around building one soon.let me know if you want them and they will be in the mail.
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outlaw, This was really low cost and could be mounted on the wall. Though a foam version might be better for wall mounting.
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/DSCF0233.jpg)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/IMG_0683.jpg)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/IMG_0686.jpg)
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That's OK Steve. You keep them for when you get around to building yours. I appreciate the offer bud. I think I might have some light fixtures from when the garage was built.
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I like that. Thanks for posting the pics Carson. What kind of temp. do you get in there? Do you have a thermostat?
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Carson nailed it. Almost exactly like mine mounted on the wall.
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Wow Roy, I expected you to say you guess it is OK. ;)
Clint, I get 85-90 F and 20-30% Humidity this time of year when it is 35-40 F and 60-70% most of the time outside of the box (in the attic). That is with 3 40 watt bulbs. That is with the end pieces vented just a bit, about a 1/2" space. If I want it hotter, I throwz a moving blanket over it and keep the ends closed up. Then it reaches 100. Changing bulb wattage would give you higher temps yet, if you wanted. I dont use a thermostat, but it stays surprisingly stable when slightly vented.
I had a couple particle boards given to me. I hate particle board because here in the northwest the moisture kills it in no time. But then I looked at the pre-sprayed lines on the thing and thought hot box! I figured the particle board would hold up for a long time as long I kept the box in steady use. This was made from one 8x4' particle board, a broom handle, and some 2x4 and 1x1 scrap. I got the fixtures and wire for next to nothing at second hand building supply store.
In the pics I have a 2x4 as a baffle (resting on the three pegs) I switched to a 3/4" x 6" wide piece of pine running the length of the box and it suits the box much better.
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/DSCF0230_zpsa724c927.jpg)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/DSCF0232_zpsc66d7b3e.jpg)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/DSCF0234_zps65eb0533.jpg)
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Thanks Carson. I see you had a good assistant
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yeah, that assistant of mine...he loves to run drills, but I can't seem to get him to help with layout or clean-up.
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A piece of 4" pvc with a fan blowing through it will dry wood out fast. Or keep it dried out. I have a super cheap, low duty electric heater that just warms the air it blows.
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the heating duct works pretty good too,and its free n no labor involved ;)
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A piece of 4" pvc with a fan blowing through it will dry wood out fast. Or keep it dried out. I have a super cheap, low duty electric heater that just warms the air it blows.
Pearly, what about that big piece of PVC you sent me that bow in? I went to ship my trade bow out in that thing but it felt like it weighted 10 lbs empty so I used something else. Do you put the fan/heater on one end and then flip the bow around every now and then? I do have a crappy old space heater that blows warm air.
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EXACTLY what I do. It works incredibly fast, you better weigh your bow/stave regulary.
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I think I'll try that before I go and buy the stuff to make one like Carson posted. I think I have everything I need to make the pipe work. Might save me some $$. Thanks Pearly
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You may be suprised how much you dont use it. Thats why I never built a hot box. Its only once in a while I use my tube. I just bought a humidity/temp gauge. Its digital and changes quickly. I found there is always a 40-50% humidy area in the house to stash wood.
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I want to dry this HHB stave I'm working on for my niece. I think it was cut this summer. And I'll be using it for the last couple of pieces of hickory in my stash. I don't think bringing Hickory in the house works. I've had one under my bed for a year and it gained almost an ounce. With central heat and air I thought it would have lost weight.
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I guess it just depends on what you have on hand. I had the particle board and scrap on hand, so I only put about $5 into that thing. Before I built the hotbox, I used to stick roughed out bows into the ductwork of the central air system. Switch it around a couple times and it dries pretty fast. Airflow is the key, so maybe that is why the hickory under the bed stayed wet.
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/IMG_9607_zpsc87334ed.jpg)
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I couldn't do the heat register trick. I would never be able to get our kitten out of the duct work. You are probably right about the airflow. I think that hickory bow will be the first test in what ever I end up using.
That's a sweet backing on that bow laying on the floor. Is that Sturgeon?
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Hey outlaw, with the 4" pipe, just place a old PC fan, everyone has a few, in front of a light fixture screw to a end plug for the pipe. fan screw down in front of bulb and vent a little both ends. Good luck
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spyder that is a great idea. Would be just the right size/output fan for the job. 8)
Yes sir that is some sturgeon on osage. I need to post some finished pics of that bow. ::)