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IDEA! Kotatsu
fohfoh:
Ok, for the generally misinformed. In a nutshell, Kotatsu = table with blankey with heater = warm = snuggable.
Now, when I was younger, I would drape blankets over heat vents (in a house with a heating system for those who live in warm areas) and just capture all the warm air that way. Similar to a kotatsu... sorta. Minus the fact, no table.
When I study, I generally wrap myself in a blanket. Recently, I've been draping my blanket somewhat over a chair and using a portable heater to blow warm air into the area under the chair. Warms the air nicely, but often quickly overheats.
So... after doing a bit of googling and finding people dismantling and reworking "Lack" tables from ikea, modding it to deal with a kotatsu warmer, adding change in voltage system etc, etc. I've discovered it's super... complicated, and supposedly pricey.
IDEA: "Lazy Kotatsu System".
1. Need table (Coffee table likely)
2. Need "board" for table (Goes on top of the blanket. May need heavier board depending on thickness of blanket)
3. Need blanket. Bedsheet for 'cheap', proper blanket if available.
4. Portable heater OR, if you don't mind being close to a wall that has a heating vent, you can use the vent.
Step 1: Place table in area
Step 2: Place blanket on table
Step 3: Place board over blanket and on top of table
Step 4: Use portable heater or heat vent to warm area under blanket.
Step 5: Profit
Repeat step 4 if necessary to increase temperature under blanket. (In my experience, an area 2ft by 2ft by 1.5 ft (under the chair) would need reheating maybe once every 2-3 hours but also depending if it became too warm and I'd open it to release all the warm air.
What do you think?
Any suggestions for improvement?
Any suggestions for "cheap" items that can be used as "parts"? Garage sale cruising isn't the most "consistent" of methods.
I mean, hell, if I could find it, I'd love to have a slab of marble to put on top of the table. But LIKE HELL that would happen, right?
TMRNetShark:
I can make it easier for you.
1 Table
1 electric blanket
1 board about the size and shape of the table.
8-16 nails
Shape the electric blanket on the bottom side of the table. Use a board to keep in place and nail it down (be sure to avoid the cables in the electric blanket).
You have yourself a Kotatsu!
fohfoh:
Sounds more complicated than than mine.
Electric blanket more complicated than regular blanket.
Nails more complicated than relying on weight of board.
Portable heaters are like $25 bucks (ordering one on newegg atm. I bought one, then my bro stole it. it's a great portable heater regardless of kotatsu idea) Not sure how much an electric blanket will put me back, but the idea of putting nails into an electric blanket sounds semi suicidal.
TMRNetShark:
--- Quote from: fohfoh on September 07, 2011, 03:41:24 AM ---Sounds more complicated than than mine.
Electric blanket more complicated than regular blanket.
Nails more complicated than relying on weight of board.
Portable heaters are like $25 bucks (ordering one on newegg atm. I bought one, then my bro stole it. it's a great portable heater regardless of kotatsu idea) Not sure how much an electric blanket will put me back, but the idea of putting nails into an electric blanket sounds semi suicidal.
--- End quote ---
Not much more than your average portable heater... but they give a uniform warmth versus warmth coming from one direction. Just a thought though. :P
fohfoh:
--- Quote from: TMRNetShark on September 07, 2011, 03:44:56 AM ---
--- Quote from: fohfoh on September 07, 2011, 03:41:24 AM ---Sounds more complicated than than mine.
Electric blanket more complicated than regular blanket.
Nails more complicated than relying on weight of board.
Portable heaters are like $25 bucks (ordering one on newegg atm. I bought one, then my bro stole it. it's a great portable heater regardless of kotatsu idea) Not sure how much an electric blanket will put me back, but the idea of putting nails into an electric blanket sounds semi suicidal.
--- End quote ---
Not much more than your average portable heater... but they give a uniform warmth versus warmth coming from one direction. Just a thought though. :P
--- End quote ---
True, but the heater will be turned off and removed once the area under the kotatsu is warmed up. Lasts about 2-3 hours at least with no additional warming. Those portable heaters blowing hot air on your legs... isn't a good idea. It's like getting sunburned within moments of turning it on. (At least the one I'm purchasing anyways)
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