Building a PVC Bow Hot Box Part 1 - Materials, Layout, and Cutting

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10 жыл бұрын

Check out my blog for the full materials list and some pictures of the general layout for the PVC bow hot box / oven : backyardbowyer.blogspot.com/20...
Also check out my story behind the PVC hot box here: backyardbowyer.blogspot.com/20...
Today we'll be building a PVC bow hot box, a simple light-heated oven that really helps to heat PVC pipe for flattening in a safe and reliable way. This design is simple and requires only a few tools including a knife (or saw) and a straightedge (T-square would be nice to have) to build. It gets up to the proper temperature in around 5-10 minutes and heats most PVC pipes enough to flatten in under 6 minutes (results may vary if using different bulbs or different materials/design).
In this part we'll go over the basic materials needed to build the box and then get into laying out, cutting, and beveling the pieces. Keep in mind that drywall dust can be a health hazard, so please work in an area away from kids and pets, use a dust mask, clean as you go, and use common sense. Gloves wouldn't hurt either.
Here's a basic material list. For the full list, go to my blog at : backyardbowyer.blogspot.com/20...
Materials:
(1) One 4'x8' drywall panel, 1/2" thick
(1) One roll of foil tape*
Aluminum foil, enough to patch wide panels. * Can be substituted for extra foil tape, expect to use one roll plus some.
(3) Three porcelain lamp holder/ceiling sockets (don't get plastic)
One 6' long, 16 gauge extension cord
My ideal light setup for fast heat yet stable temperature.
(2) Two 250 watt heat lamp bulbs
(1) One 150 watt incandescent bulb
Optional - Switch
(1) One light switch
(1) One electrical box
(1) One light switch cover
Thanks for watching and enjoy!

Пікірлер: 27

@jakenottage 10 жыл бұрын

..And here I thought I was going to have to figure out how to make that fantastic box on my own. You are a gentleman and a scholar, thank you.

@greghujing5899 8 жыл бұрын

nice job you should be cutting from the white side of the drywall it is easier to cut that's why I avoid the drywall cutting

@kg1016 10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the videos. Well detailed and inspiring. I finished making the box and just put a hole in the side to allow the heat gun to flow into the bottom. No additional lights to buy, no switch or wire. I bought the heat gun at Harbor Freight for $8.00. An optional step for the electrically challenged. Great for those who already have the gun.

@lauragarrison2275 10 жыл бұрын

Just a thought, here. You can get nice straight cuts with a "drywall t-square" also found at Lowes or home depot. This would make the edges fit nicely together and result in less heat loss at the seams. It may even make the thing more rigid. Keep up the awesome work Nick.

@windarcane 10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tutorial! This is great!

@joeldouglas493 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this! I'm eventually going to make wooden bow templates to quickly shape limbs after pulling them out of this idea of yours. You're awesome for sharing information about pvc temperatures and having this list typed out already for us to print off or search individually. First project is going to be a pvc "Fierce Deities Sword" from Zelda: Majora's Mask after I build this oven.

@xer0zen16 10 жыл бұрын

This is just fantastic, thanks!

@thomasmcginnis2817 10 жыл бұрын

This is awesome. I can't wait to see Part 2. Thanks for sharing!!!

@charleschristopher9178 10 жыл бұрын

Just in case anyone thinks they may need to cut lots of angled lines in dry-wall, thick motherboard, etc. there is are tools made specifically for the task. Most craft stores would carry matt cutters that can be used with a steel square to make long cuts with a 45° cant along their length. This will be the tool I use to build a heater box, if I think I'll ever need one; as I do not trust my carving ability as much as Nick trusts his.

@vincentle2008 8 жыл бұрын

In my area, I can't buy heat bulbs because they use too much electricity.What should I do.I love your vids and they inspire me to make bows myself.Ive made many bows from your channel.Keep up the good work with your knife making vids too.

@thedivinehammerswoodworks1895 10 жыл бұрын

16 gauge wire is too thin to use for the amount of current you are pulling with those bulbs you really be using 12 or 14 gauge, the larger the gauge the less heat build up in the wire as the easier for the current to flow though it. Great video as usual!

@BackyardBowyer 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information! I'll be sure to keep that in mind for future boxes.

@jllaine 7 жыл бұрын

16 gauge is rated for 13 amps, 650w of bulbs only draw about 6 amps, however I would recommend checking the type-codes on the package of the extension cord and looking up its useful temperature range, many use a thermoplastic for the insulation that is only rated to boiling water temp and could soften or melt in your hot-box.

@Tengu3000 10 жыл бұрын

Clarty Paths, I've also seen them in Wickes as well - should be able to mail-order them in as well

@clara17uk 10 жыл бұрын

Clarty paths ,they sell them in b and q i couldnt replie in the plumbing section

@rauljackson4815 9 жыл бұрын

Guys what is the hotbox actually used for? Is it to preserve the shape after removing the bow from its form? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere...

@BackyardBowyer 8 жыл бұрын

+Raul Jackson This hotbox is for heating PVC pipe for making bows. You place the pipe into the open end of the box and it heats up. This is different than a hot box for storing horn bows and hotter than a hot box for curing fiberglass bows.

@HergerTheJoyous 6 жыл бұрын

Making it lighter so the box can be moved around a little easier. I know fire hazzard but how hot does it actually get.

@HergerTheJoyous 6 жыл бұрын

Do you think you could use a cardboard box lined with foil?

@Nastificc 8 жыл бұрын

Hi, Nick, I think your videos are awesome, man, you're a great inspiration! I'd like to ask you, wouldn't be better a longitudinal oven heating the entire pvc pipe instead one half at a time? once I've watched a video where you placed some aluminum foil in a mold, in that case you used a heat gun, how about a mix of the two methods? 70" mold, aluminum foil and light bulbs? Thnx for your videos, pal!!

@BackyardBowyer 8 жыл бұрын

+Gabriel Ultra The only problem with that is you'd need a setup to flatten both limbs at once. It's possible to make a form like this, but for me it's much easier to work one limb at a time. If you wanted to build a longer version, double the length and double the bulbs should do it.

@Nastificc 8 жыл бұрын

I see, I'll try to do it and then share to you, thnx, pal, you're brillant, I've been watching your videos from long ago and you always surprise me :)

@CrescentStarSoldier 10 жыл бұрын

Hey nick can you do a build on a green arrow or Hawkeye inspired recurve bow it's supposed to be an adult recurve I predict it should be 60-75 pounds. I'm not forcing or anything it's your channel not mine this is just a recommendation.

@jugo85 8 жыл бұрын

Hello Nick! Love you vids and now im a PVC bow addict! :) So Im doing a box today, and I wanted to ask you how many different configurations have you tried for this box? Cause I was wondering: heat goes up, and accumulates from top to bottom, and also, less area to heat up would mean less bulbs needed. So having this in mind, maybe doing a much thinner longitudinal box for one single pipe at a time instead of 3 (similar height to yours just to heat up 1 limb at a time), with only one 250W bulb at the bottom and with a 10" clearance between the bulbs and the tip of a pvc pipe, might work just as good. Im thinking this build up of heat + less area to heat + there is just one hole through were heat is lost = might equal to a simpler (one bow/limb at a time) and efficient set up. Kinda like using the concept of heating up a room with a couple tea candles and ceramic pots (this gets really really hot inside the pots), but with a high power light bulb and a variation of your box. What do you think? Maybe you have tried something similar already? :)

@BackyardBowyer 8 жыл бұрын

+jugo85 Thanks for watching! I haven't tried making a 1 pipe box yet, but I am planning on testing several small heat box design soon. Reducing the box by 1/3 the volume and using 100W bulbs instead would probably work well. The problem with only having one bulb is that while heat does rise, I find you need at least 2 bulbs along the side, otherwise the bottom and top get hot, but the middle seems to stay cooler for some reason. Using a fan to circulate the air may help with this. Hope this helps, let me know if you try making a smaller box!

@jugo85 8 жыл бұрын

+BackyardBowyer Hey thanks for the reply!! I ended up not trying last week, but I will this weekend. I also thought of doing a mini-box with one single 100Watt bulb for heating up only the handle :p Hmm thats interesting that the middle would be cooler. I'll keep that in mind when trying it out, and I'll let you know how or if I solve it :) Peace!