My friend gave me a take down bow oven(heat box what ever you want to call it).I extended it to 78" long to allow for a one piece bow.My question is, do I need to insulate it?(its 0nly 11" wide.I bought some one inch foam but im afraid it will take up to much room).Also do I need to move the thermostat.Ive marked its current location in red in the picture.It will be used in a garage that stays above 40 deg's at all times if this plays in to the insulation factor.Thanks, Scott

One inch foam might be a little to much inside, but if your form fits, go for it. The foam will need to be foil covered, I would think, or it might melt. I am using the foil covered bubble insulation from Lowes inside mine, that everyone suggested. It is about 1/4" thick. You could put the one inch on the outside. You will need to insulate to get proper temp. I would at least put the one inch on the bottom to insulate from the concrete. I'm going to put wheels on mine to get it off the floor and be able to move it easy. Don

With four large enough light, you wont need to insulate it. My heat box is three times that size and I can get it over 150 with two lights, so you wont have an issue there.

Scott I have used the same one for over twenty years no insulation.  I think yours will do fine.  The insulation should only help

You don't need insulation but if you do add insulation it will use less energy and hold the heat better/longer. I used 1/2" foil lined foam board. One 4'x 8'sheet was plenty to do my box.

Mine isn't insulated.  I just cover it with a blanket.  It heats to 120 without the blanket and 180 with.  Uses 4 200W lights and is 80" long.  mk

If you don't want to buy more insulation, you could always just pin what you have to the outside of the box and line the inside with regular tin foil.

I lined the inside of mine with regular tin foil and with 3- 100w light bulbs I've reached 180deg.F when it was only about 40 inside the garage. Yours has 4 receptacles, so I don't see any reason why you should have any trouble getting the temp up there?

You could always throw a blanket over it to get it nice and hot, then remove it once the temp is up there. I don't like the idea of leaving it covered up and walking away from it for extended periods. That would scare me to the point of losing sleep over it for risk of fire, but it does sound like a good idea to get er nice and hot, then remove it.

Thanks for the input fellas.Its greatly appriciated!Don Mine's getting wheels also.Ive got a set of casters to install yet.That way I can roll it over and stand it up in the corner.Semo Im with you on loosing sleep over the blanket idea!I know a lot of people do it, and it works great for them. But it scares me too!Scott

Mine has the 1 inch boards inside but I only use 25 watt bulbs. Uninsulated would only need high watt bulbs. The blanket also sounds good exspecially with the uninsulated.

Mine isn't insulated.  I just cover it with a blanket.  It heats to 120 without the blanket and 180 with.  Uses 4 200W lights and is 80" long.  mk

Mine is not insulated. I have it lined with aluminum foil and have four lights. I control the temp with the various watts of bulbs. It easily keeps the temp up.

QuoteOriginally posted by Mckenzie:
Mine isn't insulated.  I just cover it with a blanket.  It heats to 120 without the blanket and 180 with.  Uses 4 200W lights and is 80" long.  mk

i did the same thing in cold weather for years with no problems. same set up.