I built five rods beginning in January and we just got the electrical bill for that time period and YEOOOWZA what a hit that was. Next time I have to add the cost of heat to the value of the rod. I build them in a work space in my basement that does not have heat in it so to keep it at 75 degrees or whatever the suggested temperature that flex coat reccommends I created a simple plastic wall/enclosure floor to ceiling just around the area I had my rod lathe to coat the rods. In this small plastic enclosure I put in two space heaters and cranked them up to maintain the 75 degrees. What do you all do for a heater and or to maintain temperatures suitable for drying? Posting pictures would be really appreciated if that would be possible.
Thanks
BjR

What about trying some 100 wat light bulbs. Maybe just several on the rod might be cheaper to use ??
You don't have to warm up the whole room, just the rod.

A rod drying box may be just what you need !!??

I use two or three halogen work lights I picked up at home depot for about $8.00 a piece. Easy on the electric and they get quite warm

Do you guys enclose the rod with the lights in the enclosure as it's turning somehow ?
BjR

Hi Brad,
Try the search link and use all dates. Lots of ideas there. Also, there are photos in the
gallery of several types of drying boxes to check out.

Tim Campbell of Swify Mfg. recommends 4 100wt. incondescent bulbs at about 18"
for an 8ft rod to maintain temps above 85 degrees F. depending on room temp.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

How cold does your basement actually get? The only ill effect of having a cold room is the epoxy takes a lot longer to set up.

Located a photo of a real sweeet dryer box for multiple rods.
Thanks Italo !
[www.rodbuilding.org]

And another one too!
Thanks Wylie!

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2006 04:26PM by Raymond_Adams.

Brad -
Build walls and INSULATE them. Plastic enclosures do little ( ie: nothing) to retain heat. Clear a corner so you've got two walls constructed - from there it's "how fancy do you want". I installed furring strips then put solid foam sheets between the furring strips then drywall over it all. From there figure out how much room you need for comfortable working space and install either permanent or "floating walls" and INSULATE them too and yes doors. I found that folding bifold doors work best for me as they allow a wide opening (four feet). This is one of those "do it right" things that will save you money over the course of time. As Billy has already pointed out the temperature should comfortable for you to work (ie: no gloves but not necessarily shorts, sandals and tee shirt either). Keep the ambient (room temperature ok for a flannel shirt - and if you are concerned about adding more heat than that build a drying box - which is the most cost effective way to maintain a higher temperature and doubles for "no dust" finish.

I finish in my laundry room (it's suprisingly free of lint & dust). I do this because it is a small, approximately 7x10, room in the house. I set one of the small ceramic heaters in a corner of the room and crank it up. Honestly that room gets over 100 degrees. Some people complain about the long set-up time of AFTCOTE, but I get it to a gelled stage in 3-4 hours. In about 6 hours I can usually touch it w/o fear of leaving finger prints. If I have more wraps to add I can wrap over it in 8-10 hours.

When my current supply of AFTCOTE runs out I'm planning on trying Andy's Threadmaster (already have it on hand). I'm expecting my heated room might not need to be so hot as with the AFTCOTE.

Jay

You will like it. I'm hard to please and I like it.