Heb Cooler DIY

[Hooch]

Carp king wrote:

Hi guys

Where can I get a piece of that expanded plastic mesh for the bottom of my cooler.

Thanks for the help 

Its cut out of a old milk crate. You can get them at any supermarket. Just ask them for the broken ones, otherwise they will charge you an arm and a leg.

 

[kallie]

Howzit, Something else you can try- I have been using Heb's for as long as I can remember.  Get a cheap cutting board- plastic- size it to your requirementsust be smaller then the lid. Using a Router create a space to fit your cutting board. CAn be glued in- only once you have sealed it with PVA.  To keep secure for when u use a hammer you can strengthen by placing light Aluminium strips on the underside and securing with counter sunk brass or stainless bolts.

 

Have also succesfully had Heb coolers covered in Rhino bakkie lining- Black but a tough as you need.

 

[Trophy]

kallie wrote:

Have also succesfully had Heb coolers covered in Rhino bakkie lining- Black but a tough as you need.

Hiya kallie,

Does the black lining not attract and generate heat? Have you used this black cooler box much, especially in Summer conditions?

Sounds great...and easy, but just does not make sense for my pea brain.

 

[Marthin]

Guys, especially the more professional chaps around that fish from close to their car here in the cape or that go on longer outings...

Saw a cooler box at Cape Union Mart...
It works from you lighter adapter, and cost 699. Will keep things frozen but i didnt read all the specs.

You can buy a converter for 699 as well that will make it usuable on a normal plug.

I'm also thinking those holidays where you go to a place and they have that tiny freezer, and after the pilchard, tjokka, red crab, red bait, occie etc is in the freezer, ur wife want's to know where she can put the meat etc, this would be perfect...

 

[kallie]

No it works OK. Keeps bait frozen for a full day trip. The biggest problem /risk to any cooler box- no matter what type or contruction is the loss of cold air/ temp from opening or closing. we alwys have two- one as a working box and the other to maintain the extra bait frozen- that is if you are two people of course. Luckily I use the  black ones in teh Eastern Cape so I am never out for longer than a 4/5 hour stint

 

[tauruck]

Hooch wrote:

Hiya gents

This will be my new project. I want to convert a heb cooler 12L into a fishing cooler. See atached pictures. Firstly i wana cover the entire cooler with tin foil. Firstly to help with insolation and secondly to stop the resin and fibreglass eating into the polestirene.

Second Picture of the lid. I want to sink a small kitchen cutting board into the lid and make it sit flush with the lid. Also covering the lid with fibre glass and then insert the lid.

Thirdly. I need to attach a handle to the lid. Were in Pta can i get 3mm stainless steel rods from to make a handle from it. Or is there anything else you can recomend.

Cost for project:

Heb Cooler 12L R42

Hardner and resin 1L = R100

Fibreglass mat x 3 @ R18 per sheet = R54

White Duco spray paint x 1 R35

Total cost (Exc Labour) R 231

Looking at the new prices of the Safari Chiller, i do not think its a bad price. However it will be hard work. Did a small hipster coolerbox this weekend and it came out well. Will be using it soon.

Any feedback or suggestions?

 

Hooch, I'm not trying to hijack your thread here. Just some good advice on material. The resin chows the polystyrene because you are using Polyester. Epoxy resin does not. Fibreglass matte is heavy and sucks up the resin so you use more. There is a glass twill weave fabric that weighs 163gr/sqM and it's very drapeable. Epoxy spreads five times further than polyester and is way stronger so if you use this combo you'll have a lighter stronger cooler without those nasty fibres sticking up all over. Overall you get a better finish for far less labour at the same cost even though the materials are more expensive individually. Pm me anytime for help and product info.