parrothead127 Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 My workshop is not heated, except when I am out there. I want to make a box to go over my drying rack, with space to store my paints. I am having trouble with adhesion with top coat, and I think it is because of humidity and temp. I want to put a light bulb in the box for heat on a thermostat. I use laquer based paints and top coat. My only worry is, could I have an explosion with this process? Chime in with any feedback. Thanks in advance, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 I think you are correct, the bulb switch mechanism may arc, but this would be mounted outside the box. But if the bulb burst for what ever reason, the filament would be exposed. It's just too risky. An alternative is available in the home beer brewing industry, a heating mat. The one I owned was an aluminium plate about 18" square. I used it to keep my tarantula warm in the UK winter. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 Once the paint is dry, that's completely safe. I'd look for info online about the clear you're using....look to see if it's flammable after spraying, not just during. I personally think that once it's not atomized that you'll be fine. Try some experimenting with it before you make your booth.....see if you can light it on fire after spraying it onto a piece of metal or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrothead127 Posted December 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 O.k. I have looked at some heat mats, probably are safer than a lite bulb. But I will have to mount the thermostat inside the box to keep the heat mat from running constantly. That still does not make the box safe does it? I thought this was a good idea, but I think it isn't going to be practical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 You can buy thermostats that come with a capillary tube (a coiled tube filled with gas or mercury ?? drill a hole thru the box stick the end of the tube thru and mount the stat on the outside. They are used for saunas, walk in freezers etc.You just have to find one that has your temperture range. A small appliance parts supplier might have something. Jimbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 (edited) Another idea. Make all wire connections outside the box. Build your box with a glass top and side. Mount the lamp so it shines through the glass then into the box. If the bulb explodes, there's nothing to make a spark where the fumes can get concentrated enough to explode. Unless the thermostat itself catches on fire, you have no risk of the fumes igniting. At that point, you'd have other fire concerns. Just make sure your clear doesn't need a fresh supply of air to cure properly. You should eb able to contact the manufacturer to find that out. Edited December 17, 2008 by clamboni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 The beer mat heaters do not get excessively hot. You can touch them with your hand, so I doubt you would need a thermostat. When I used it for the tarantula, I built my own thermostat, just incase I roasted the critter. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 The beer mat heaters do not get excessively hot. You can touch them with your hand, so I doubt you would need a thermostat.When I used it for the tarantula, I built my own thermostat, just incase I roasted the critter. Dave IN CASE you roasted him? Isn't a thermostat an afterthought at that point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 Lol, no, I was ahead of the game. I had the thermostat already, I had built for another project. The mat is designed to hold 5 gals of fermentation at around 80F. If you feel the air is too warm, you can always introduce a vent hole. The application you have in mind is not temperature critical, so I feel that a thermostat would be over kill. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 we use the same lacquers. they only require minimum heat to set for epoxys we run lo-heat thru the nites to barely keep above freezing. years back we constructed a 4byft box with heating bulbs and fans from the bathroom section. they heated the box very well and moved air. that was done for spoons on racks. for cranks it could be done quite easily. hope this gives you an idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 IN CASE you roasted him? Isn't a thermostat an afterthought at that point? Hmmm....roast spider and beer.... Must be an aquired taste. I'd have to go heavy on the beer for that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrothead127 Posted December 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Thanks for all the replies guys. I have gotten some ideas. The main use for the box would be for the raw baits, not really for curing. But I wanted to store my paints and topcoat in it just to keep from getting so cold. A friend of mine who makes baits was thinking out loud one day and said he warmed his paints before use, and thought maybe because mine were cold could be the problem. I'm thinking know it's a humidity problem. Thanks again gents Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 If that is the Case cant you just build two boxes one on top of the other. Keep the paint and top coat in the top box (heat rises), the bottom box (were the heating element is) for the raw baits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predator Bass Baits Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I sell Radiant Heat panels that are used for other things and I use one in my box. These are totally safe but not cheap. About $60 shipped but well worth the saftey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
