JTModels - Making a Hot Box

This page explains how to make a hot box for post curing fiberglass parts and wings.

	Making a Hot Box This page explains how to make a hot box for post curing fiberglass parts and wings. Please note: this box is a fire hazard if not properly used and JTModels and its proprietors take no responsibility for the use or misuse of any items made using this guide. Now that I have that out of the way.... The parts used to make the box are all readily available at your local DIY store like Home Depot or Lowes. I used 2" pink "Formular 150" insulation foam for the frame of the box. Many places that sell construction supplies have foam that has an aluminum tape on one side that would eliminate having to glue the reflective insulation to the foam as I will be demonstrating on this page. Unfortunately, that foam isn't available locally and I prefer to use the silver insulation as shown below. Box Construction Items used in this step: 2" x 4' x 8' insulation foam - 1ea Reflectix Insulation 16" x 25' - 1 roll Gorilla Glue - 4 oz or larger 1" masking tape - 1 roll Foam and insulation before being cut. Start by measuring out and cutting your foam. I make the sides of the box 2" taller than the Reflectix insulation so I can butt the top piece up against them. The end pieces will be 4" winder than the top and the same height as the side pieces since I will be gluing them to the ends of the box. The top piece is cut the same width as the Reflectix insulation and the same length as the sides. Foam board ready to cut. (Yes, that's a life sized R2D2 in the background.) I use my foam bow to cut the board which gives a nice flat surface to bond to and a very straight cut. Hang the bow under the board and align the wire with the line that you drew. Turn on the bow's power supply and let the bow do the work. You'll need to support the piece that you're cutting to keep it from falling into the hot wire when it separates. Catch the bow and turn off the power to the wire. Here's the bow set up and ready to cut. This is my bow power supply. (Watch for a how to page for making a bow and power supply soon.) Page 1 NEXT>>

**Please note: this box is a fire hazard if not properly used and JTModels and its proprietors take no responsibility for the use or misuse of any items made using this guide.**

Now that I have that out of the way.... The parts used to make the box are all readily available at your local DIY store like Home Depot or Lowes. I used 2" pink "Formular 150" insulation foam for the frame of the box. Many places that sell construction supplies have foam that has an aluminum tape on one side that would eliminate having to glue the reflective insulation to the foam as I will be demonstrating on this page. Unfortunately, that foam isn't available locally and I prefer to use the silver insulation as shown below.

Start by measuring out and cutting your foam. I make the sides of the box 2" taller than the Reflectix insulation so I can butt the top piece up against them. The end pieces will be 4" winder than the top and the same height as the side pieces since I will be gluing them to the ends of the box. The top piece is cut the same width as the Reflectix insulation and the same length as the sides.

I use my foam bow to cut the board which gives a nice flat surface to bond to and a very straight cut. Hang the bow under the board and align the wire with the line that you drew. Turn on the bow's power supply and let the bow do the work. You'll need to support the piece that you're cutting to keep it from falling into the hot wire when it separates. Catch the bow and turn off the power to the wire.

This is my bow power supply. (Watch for a how to page for making a bow and power supply soon.)