Paint Drying Booth Question

[Brent Fordham]

Does anyone here use a paint drying booth? I use oils for shading and am planning to build one based primarily on the suggestion in Shep Paine's book. It will basically be a wooden box with a door, and an incandescent lamp for heat. My personal touch will be an electric temperature controller that will turn the light on and off automatically to maintain whatever temperature I dial in.

I was wondering if anyone who has built their own has any advice regarding size requirements, materials, etc.

I'll post when mine is complete with a few photos.

Thanks.

 

[KeithP]

Here is a pic from Craig's (Mongo Mel). I made one just like it. I have a 60w bulb in there. Works a treat!

Seems to me I saw actual plans for this somewhere...

Keith

 

[Brent Fordham]

Thanks, Keith.

I found the plans for the one in your photo: Drying Box Plans.

 

[geaugan]

or, go to Walmart or K-Mart or any discount store and buy a crockpot with adjustable tempertures.

 

[Brent Fordham]

I've heard of that working for others as well, but I tried it and the crock pot got too hot, I think. My figure came out with a strange, powdery coating and it made me too nervous to try it again.

 

[Kisifer]

Brent here is my drying booth made by myself. It just has a 60W bulb and no fear at all for the figures and colors. You can leave it on for as long as you like. I covered it inside with aluminium foil for better heat distribution.

Xenofon

 

[Brent Fordham]

Thanks for the photo Xenofon - much appreciated!

 

[socko47]

I see crock pots at Goodwill, one of the donation stores here in the States, all the time. They run $8-10 and usually have two heat settings. If you are concerned over too high a temp just add your rehostat to the crockpot. You be up and working as soon as you got all the components. The build it yourself version will give you easier access to placing you figure and more of them as I see from the photos. Just my 2cents. Joe

 

[PJ Deluhery]

I've used a crock pot for years to dry my oils. If you use the "low" setting and leave the lid slightly adjar so heat can escape, you will have no problems with overheating or melting. My oils dry nicely to a dead flat in about 6 hours. I usually paint at night, and put the figure in the pot overnight with a lamp tmer set for about 6 hours. Next moring it is flat, dry and ready to go. Good luck.

 

[Brent Fordham]

Thanks for the comments and recommendations guys. I managed to pick up a thermostat control on eBay, so I'm heading down the box path now. Bought a switch with a built in pilot light (so you can tell just by looking if it's turned on) and a ceramic lampholder base. Hopefully the thermostat gets here soon.

Heh, sometimes I wonder if I get more excited about the tools in this hobby more than the modelling projects themselves.