Tell me about your "Hot Box"

[Dwight]

I kicked around trying to find the proper search terminology to come up with what others have written on here about "hot boxes" for drying leather goods quicker.

Worse than "Zero", . . . it wouldn't even recognize my entries.

So, . . . I'm just reaching out to those of you who use them:

What temperature do you have yours set on?

How do you regulate the temperature?

What did you use for a heating element?

Any and all info will be welcomed, . . . and of course, many thanks.

May God bless,

Dwight

[rickdroid]

Not sure if I am understanding your post, but if you are trying to search for "hot box" on leatherworker.net go to google and try  site:leatherworker.net hot  box.  These are some of the results i got with that search string

if i misunderstood then i apologize for taking up the bandwidth.

rick

Edited July 31, 2016 by rickdroid
add hot box to search string

[Dwight]

Thanks, Rickdroid, . . . I tried the same "hot box" in the search window here in Leatherworker, . . . it did not pull anything up for me, . . . must have mis spelled it or something, . . .

Anyway, . . . i never got around to building it 4 years ago, . . . thought I would now, . . . could not remember what people had said or posted, . . . other than it seemed to work for them real well.

I had in the back of my mind that folks were talking about a 130 degree or so temperature, . . . that was the big puzzle piece I was REALLY looking for, . . . the temperature.  

Ahh, well, . . . maybe just have to 'spearmint a bit and see what works.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Red Cent]

Dwight, I have considered it also. Besides trying to figure out where to put it. I would think a flood light (or two) in the bottom of a box ( I picture mine 24" square and 5-6' tall=small footprint) and, maybe an inexpensive thermostat on/off switch in the top. May not be necessary.

I would say 130 F would work. That would be the highest temperature needed. I have baked some CC holsters in the oven @ 150 (lowest temp setting) for about 15 minutes. Kinda wet when started and came out good and stiff.

 

 

[cleanview]

my "easy bake oven" is an old dresser shell, with insulation, shelves where the drawers were, and a door on the front........100 watt ceramic heater (looks like a light bulb) and a 70 watt light bulb.  a thermostat that is actually a electronic controller for a reptile tank. it stays at 80, and when wet forming I turn it up to bout 90-100 degrees. Its biggest benefit is in the winter when it is colder. There are two small fans inside of it as well. simply hastens the drying process. i leave things in there 12 hours.

[rickdroid]

15 hours ago, Dwight said:

 I tried the same "hot box" in the search window here in Leatherworker, . . . it did not pull anything up for me, . . . must have mis spelled it or something, . . .

I doubt that you misspelled anything Dwight, the search engine on leatherworker.net is not very efficient.  I have always had better results using google.  Remember, go to google.com and use the keyword site:   as in

'site: leatherworker.net words i want to search for'

Go to google.com and type in the phrase 'search help' and any the first three or four links should give you plenty of help.  The links that are the most helpful will have support.google.com as part of the address.  When you get to the help pages be sure and read the part on 'search operators', these items can help define the website you want to search and the specific items you are trying to find there.

Hope i havent gone on too long, maybe this will be of some help.

rick

[klaykrusher]

Check out this video.  At the 9:50 mark you can see his drying cabinet.  Just a microwave or refridge cabinet with a few holes cut out for a couple clamp lights and a fan from the side.

Here is another, start at the 3:44 mark.  Not much detail, but another perspective I guess...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DTST319cFw

 

[JLSleather]

HEY,.. tha's the same little 'tub' I use to hold dye for dippin'!  Wonder if I git me summa them there gloves, would corn on the cob taste differnt?

 

[Dwight]

Thanks again everyone, . . . especially the search info rickdroid, . . . I do a lot of searching, . . . never saw it used that way.

I found most of my building materials today, . . . will get the others later this week, . . . will post the "results" when I get er done and tested out.

May God bless,

Dwight

[BHPshooter]

I really need to build one of these. Things dry fine and dandy during the summer (my entire place tends toward the "too damn hot" side of things this time of year), but in the winter, things change drastically. This could be a big help.

Thanks for the links and info, everyone!