I wish to build a hot tub. I know nothing on how to do this and I have not found any info on the web. I expect to install a snorkle wood burning stove for heating. Anyone know of sites for info or plans or have ideas they will share. Cheers
dkv
John Lucas (Guest)
05-15-2001, 01:46 PM
Funny, I just started new addition (new shop and bedroom) and a hot tub is on the wish list...and I was wondering about doing the same. Your question caused me to go to www.google.com (http://www.google.com) - I used search for "making hot tubs" and got a lot of good stuff (and a lot of very questionable).
But here is a link you may wish to get started on: www.woodshopdemos.com (http://<a href=)/phy-sb-5.htm">http://www.woodshopdemos.com/phy-sb-5.htm</a>
Another thought, a couple of years ago (probably 20) I was in NYC area and read an interesting NY Times article of water tower makers in the city. Most of those on top of buildings are made of wood...and the manufacturers and suppliers are still in biz...my be a source for ideas and wood.
Let me know what you do...and pics if you make.
John Lucas
www.woodshopdemos.come
John Lucas
05-15-2001, 01:51 PM
sorry about that, the URL for the hot tub site is: http://www.rhtubs.com/index.html
edfan
05-17-2001, 07:50 AM
I think making a hot tub would be an interesting project. I imagine one could use wood as a prop for a fiberglass type of coating. If you designed a rectangular tub, how hard would it be to make that part? Cut holes as needed for hardware to fill, heat, drain, install jets. I'm not sure I'd buy all that gear at once but there are places that sell parts, I'm sure.
I read of a lady who used a new septic tank as the basis of a hot tub. For ordinary bathing, we might look up the dimensions of a typical Japanese tub. For simple soaking, you wouldn't need more than 24" depth, 4' length, maybe 32-36" width. Assuming a one-person tub, of course.
Build it like a boat hull?
I wonder how long the water would stay warm if you built an insulated jacket around the tub? If you floated styrofoam balls on the surface, that would lower the loss of heat upwards. Who soaks more than about an hour? Could you keep the water warm for half an hour? (I'm thinking about energy use to heat water.)
What materials could be used for the tub itself, given you could fiberglass over it?
Really, it could be a fascinating project if you wanted to do more than just buy a kit.