how-to:make a hotbox for $30

noble 1 · Nov 29, 2010

this is how i made my hotbox for under $30, i already had some things at home so it might cost a wee bit more, sorry for the size of the pics.

things you will need, you can get every thing at walmart, except the box
1.cardboard box $5
2.box cutter
3.duct tape
4.aluminum foil $5
5.heatlamp bulb $5

6. this thing, it a 8 1/2 inch reflector

first tape one end of the box closed and any seems that there may be.

after you have taped up the seems you need to cut a hole in the top of the box for the light socket, as shown below. i traced it on the top first.

next, make sure the socket fits

then line the inside of the box with aluminum foil, shiny side up. like so. i used staples to hold it down

after that you put the socket through the hole and then attach the reflector and screw in the heatlamp bulb then you are done done, here is the finished product

Hickeydog · Nov 29, 2010

I get the sneaking suspicion that someone put fresh batteries in a long-dead camera to do this........

Anyways, nice tutorial. This will definitely help those of us who chose to live an cold environment.

noble 1 · Nov 29, 2010

Hickeydog said:
I get the sneaking suspicion that someone put fresh batteries in a long-dead camera to do this........

haha, no the first two picks were taken with a cell phone and the rest with a actual camera, i have to take the batteries out to charge them and the date resets every time so i just started ignoring the date unless i need to remember when they were taken, and yes the camera is old and from 2004

matth101 · Nov 30, 2010

(In Cartman voice) Sweeeeet!! Gonna have to make myself one when I get home... if I ever get home :\ thanks for the tut man!!

noble 1 · Nov 30, 2010

i found this out the hard way.

when using this to cure resin,dont leave it in very long or the hot glue will melt.

i recommend following these steps.
first let the box heat up for about ten min and then put the piece in.
it only takes about 5 to ten minuets to dry, always watch the piece and check it to make sure the glue doesn't melt. the glue on my AR melted because i left it in too long, but i caught it in time to fix it.

matth101 · Nov 30, 2010

Hhmm.. how hot does it get in there? Maybe try using a lower watt bulb?

marco polo · Dec 3, 2010

what is a hot box and what does it do?

Hickeydog · Dec 3, 2010

marco_polo said:
what is a hot box and what does it do?

It's box with a heating element inside of it. It allows those of us who live in the north to continue to use fiberglass resin outside when the thermometer takes a nose dive.

marco polo · Dec 3, 2010

im from Canada, are you telling me that hot boxes are basically boxes that are...hot?

ventrue · Dec 3, 2010

marco_polo said:
im from Canada, are you telling me that hot boxes are basically boxes that are...hot?

Yep, that's the idea.

noble 1 · Dec 3, 2010

matth101 said:
Hhmm.. how hot does it get in there? Maybe try using a lower watt bulb?

mine got around 80 to 90 degress farenhiet (haha i can't spell)

BLACKULA727 · Dec 7, 2010

Is this safe? or will it look like the taliban stopped by(explode).

noble 1 · Dec 7, 2010

Haven't had any problems other than leaving things in too long and the hotglue melting. Just rember to watch the piece that u put in to avoid it

aktaylorh · Dec 9, 2010

I built one and i love it! I added a timer on it so i dont forget to turn it off. I was thinking of adding a thermostat but thats a little over my head.

darknemisis · Dec 11, 2010

cheap and easy great tut

NoxRocks · Dec 12, 2010

I've been thinking about making one of these due to outside temperatures averaging about 30 degrees Fahrenheit(sometimes 10-15). You said that it can get 80-90 degrees inside. Where was it when you took that reading? Outside in the cold or inside somewhere?

I don't want to go get materials to make one and have it be a waste of time, so any input is greatly appreciated.

noble 1 · Dec 19, 2010

@noxrocks
i tested it out in my basment which stays around 68 degrees constantly. sorry for the long wait for the reply just got back from my christmas roadtrip(all the way to vegas and back in 2 weeks). but if you have any more questions just pm me.

Ithica · Dec 19, 2010

For those of you who may want an alternate heating source check into reptile heat pads or heat tape. You can even set up thermostats for your heat sources with great ease. Here is a link to one style...
http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...-C881-DE11-B712-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA

Really simple to use, stick the probe in the box and plug your heat source into the thermostat outlet, set the temp and it will only heat until it reaches the temp you set. This is good because high heat and resin fumes don't mix well.

Do not be confused with a rheostat, which only controls the amount of power going to the heat source but does not shut off wen the temp is reached.

Ithica

killjoy95 · Dec 19, 2010

Very usefull tut, thanks.

HotTamale · Feb 7, 2011

Hickeydog said:
It's box with a heating element inside of it. It allows those of us who live in the north to continue to use fiberglass resin outside when the thermometer takes a nose dive.

That just made my day. I have been looking for ways to get my fiberglass to harden recently. (For some reason I start all of my projects in January and February...)

how-to:make a hotbox for $30

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