I build this small kiln to dry bowls in. I didn't have any green bowls turned at the time, so I loaded it with 13 board feet of boards I had cut to use in Segmented pieces (Walnut, Bartlett Pear, & Magnolia). All these had been cut about a month or so earlier and had a moisture content of around 20 percent when put in the kiln. It really worked. Two weeks later, the moisture content was less that 7 percent with absolutely no checking.
I ran the fan only for two days. I, then set the thermostate to 70 degrees for five days. I, then moved it up to 80 degrees for about five days and then to 90 degrees for two days.
I found a "How to" on another site: http://www.woodturningonline.com/ass...roduction.html
and build my kiln according to his instructions with a few modifications.
Mine is a little smaller than his, because I made mine from materials I had on hand. Mine messures 24" Wide, 21 inches Deep and 46 inches high. My sister and her husband own a Shipping and Warehouse business and I get a lot of discarded creats from them. I used one of these creats and sandwiched some R4 insulation board I had between some plywood from another creat.
I also, made my window, out of plexaglass I had, to open, so I could change the thermostate setting without disturbing the atmosphere inside. I used twist down latches which draw the door tight against the insulated door frame and you can see the hold down clamps I used to hold the window tight against the insulated frame. It took about 10 minutes to heat the box from 40 to 70 degrees with the two 100 watts bulbs I used. And, the box maintained the temperture very well. Over the course of the two weeks I checked the kiln everytime I passed by and never caught the lights on.
The only thing I had to buy were Computer Fans and the Thermostate, about $70 with shipping.
I can't wait to get it loaded with green bowls.