Hydronic boot dryer.

[eveled]

I'm thinking of making a hydronic boot dryer for my house. It will be made of 3/4 copper pipe and fittings. (I have an abundance). Just wondering if anybody here has done something similar. Also wondering if the 180 degree boiler water would ruin the boots. Any ideas, thoughts or pictures are welcome.

 

[arfmel]

I think 180 is too hot to be good for leather. Probably by about 60-80 degrees.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I think 180 is too hot to be good for leather.
Probably by about 60-80 degrees.

Since my only first hand knowledge on this comes from WAY back when,
I'll only observe that your idea of room temperature sure worked wonders
back when I needed to dry boots.

 

[tinman]

My preferred method of drying is to remove the laces, open the shaft as wide as possible and place them in front of the air-intake of my HVAC system. Winter or summer I can dry them out in a single overnight session using room temperature air......almost no actual heat involved.

 

[eveled]

Thanks guys, I've some ideas, I'll post pics when I get done with it.

 

[gramps]

Yep, 180 degrees will cook leather! Room temp works on my boots. I try to keep from getting them very wet by slathering on a coat of wax, or using mission specific shoes/boots. In other words if slogging all day in water, barn boots rock!
gramps

 

[Fox Mike]

Open the laces wide, chase the cat away from his 'warm spot,' and set them in front of the heat vent in the throne room. In the warmer days the back porch works well. Neither require any 'gadget building'.

 

[Tallbald]

Room air and a low speed fan are how I dry my crafted belts, holsters and belt packs. That's the only way. I don't even use direct sunlight during warm months. Maybe too careful I know, but for me it's "respect for the material". Don.

 

[K1500]

Small box fan in the shop or hang near HVAC vent. I would guess 180 was too hot. 98.6 degrees should be safe.

 

[Mike J]

I haven't done it in a while but tonight I used to lay them down on their sides in front of where the fan blows on the bottom of the refrigerator. I spent my work day today in 2" of water. Boots & feet soaking wet. I decided it is time for a new pair of boots & went to tractor supply & got some. I put the old ones in front of a fan. I will treat them with mink oil tomorrow.

 

[#1rugerman]

My method is to wad up some newspaper (not real tight) and stuff it from toes to top. Then I put them in front of a small fan and after a couple of hours I remove the paper and let the fan blow into the boots.

 

[tinman]

I haven't done it in a while but tonight I used to lay them down on their sides in front of where the fan blows on the bottom of the refrigerator. I spent my work day today in 2" of water. Boots & feet soaking wet. I decided it is time for a new pair of boots & went to tractor supply & got some. I put the old ones in front of a fan. I will treat them with mink oil tomorrow.

I highly recommend this product. Beats anything I have ever used. I can wade water up to the physical openings in the boot.

https://www.obenaufs.com/

 

[coach]

I’ve been using Obenaufs too for a while on some boots and leather gloves and it does seem to condition and waterproof the leather pretty well.