Curing Oven

[EzellH93]

How hot does it really need to get? I can't seem to get mine over 145 degrees. 4 200w bulbs and it's lined with foil.  Any ideas?

[Roy from Pa]

145 is plenty.

I would think 4 200 watt bulbs should do better though.

[Pat B]

Try foil backed foam board for insulation.

[Mad Max]

2 more bulbs
go to the Lowes and buy a  Twin-Socket Lamp Holder Adapter $3.00 each
That's how I did mine

[skeaterbait]

I got rid of bulbs and went with ceramic, they seem to get a lot hotter than bulbs

[EzellH93]

Well if 145 is enough, I guess I'm good? Ultimately, the heat just speeds up the curing of the epoxy right? Or is the temperature necessary for a more solid curing.  In other words, could the epoxy not cure at room temp over a longer period of time?

My box is pretty crude.  My lid isn't built the same as they do at Bingham (concave lid with lights recessed)... it's just a flat piece of wood that is hinged.  Bulbs are installed on that piece of plywood.  Never understood the necessity for the complex lid design that I've seen on many oven... perhaps I was mistaken?

[Flem]

You were mistaken. Insulation and a good seal is how you will get more heat out of that box. The first incarnation of my box had 2-25w and 3-15w halogen puck lights and would get to 200deg easy. That and spend $20. on an axial fan.

[Roy from Pa]

The epoxy will cure at 70 degrees in 24 hours.

However heat speeds up the curing and has been said to make the epoxy more heat resistant.

[EzellH93]

@Flem.. so the lid is my problem?

I should note that I'm using a meat thermometer stuck through the hole for my wires as my gauge.  Could be massively inaccurate... maybe.

[Mad Max]

I have used a blanket over mine 

[Flem]

Without seeing a picture of your box, I would not venture to get too specific about your problem.
If your house is uninsulated, its going to be hard to keep warm. If you leave the window open, your heat will exit said window.
Meat thermometers are usually in the ball park, but you can do better for only a few $$

[Birdbow76]

As mentioned above a cheap moving blanket thrown over bow oven will help out a lot. Slightly lower temps are fine too.

[Shredd]

  I just skipped the box and went straight to the blanket...   

[Stagmitis]

The epoxy will cure at 70 degrees in 24 hours.

However heat speeds up the curing and has been said to make the epoxy more heat resistant.

Roy you suppose that means if your`e hunting in a desert you might have a de-lam if temps hit 100 Degs +?

[Flem]

If your going to use a blanky, be sure to get a nice Teddy to keep your bow blank company.

[Crooked Stic]

I am thinking smooth on needs to be about 160 before it starts to delam.

[Shredd]

If your going to use a blanky, be sure to get a nice Teddy to keep your bow blank company.

  My forms get 2 Teddys...  Sometimes 3....   

[Flem]

Sounds like a three dog night.

I am thinking smooth on needs to be about 160 before it starts to delam.

Thats only if you do the post cure, which includes 2 hrs at 250deg
They don't give the distortion temp for a room temp cure. My guess it would be similar to some of Smooth-On's other epoxy's; 120-140deg.

[Roy from Pa]

No stagmissy..

[algstick]

I have placed a cheap sleeping bag over my heat box and put it on a couple short pieces of 2x4 to get it off the concrete in my garage. 150-155 no problem with 5-150 watt bulbs. But I live in deep southeast Texas too, we are a little closer to the sun.