Any Sauna enthusiasts/experts here?

[Todd Amunrud]

I'll put a plug in here for an old school friend from upstate NY (Finger Lakes area) who's the sauna designer/builder equivalent of a high caliber custom effbuilder. His website has some nice examples, and he would be a good source for consultation and ideas.
https://roblichtcustomsaunas.com/

Thanks! Perusing as I type!

We both have early sauna memories as teen aged ski "racers" at the local nordic center owned by a local Finnish family who imported skis, a traditional wood-fired sauna, and Scandinavian attitudes toward running around in the snow in the buff in full view of the neighbors, good times!

As a young child our neighbor was from Sweden and a had an electric sauna set up I remember well in their house. We also have a friend who picked up a portable “tent” sauna from Russia that’s awesome and really scary to use. Good memories though(can’t find a link to a pic of it)!

[Todd Amunrud]

Thanks for Rob’s site. Perusing his details and might have to reach out for some advice.

[jmgorman]

I've always thought a mobile sauna would be the ne plus ultra cyclocross accessory. I'm glad to see someone has made that particular insanity a reality.

ps. stay tuned - I just picked up a remodel-tear-down 4x6 sauna from craigslist for a stupid price; will likely accelerate my own build which was previously several years down the road!

[Todd Amunrud]

Door construction.
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Rough layout
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Starting finish. I’m a fan of Penofin for exterior finishes. Glass insert on order.
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Sauna stove arrives today. That’ll help define interior layout.

[Todd Amunrud]

Door installed.
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Stove too. May fire it up tonight.
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Next step is interior work. I scored some eucalyptus off cuts(large stack)that will be used for the floor. They’ll be formed into raised “tiles” that can be removed for cleaning.
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[j44ke]

Heat up that eucalyptus floor a bit and no chest colds ever again!

[Todd Amunrud]

Trial run. We seasoned the stove last weekend. So I loaded the rocks. Got a good lolyly going(steam with small amounts of water on rocks). Unsure of temp, but got a good sweat going.
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[rmplum]

Holy cow - this guy:

https://pairoducks.blogspot.com/

https://pairoducks.blogspot.com/2018...ish-sauna.html

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[Todd Amunrud]

Time to sweat out 2020
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[j44ke]

This thread has made me want an outdoor wood stove. Make a little living room in the woods somewhere.

[Todd Amunrud]

This thread has made me want an outdoor wood stove. Make a little living room in the woods somewhere.

I’ll try to do a debrief to some point; the good, the bad, changes I’d make etc... I’ll also put together my total cost(outside of labor) once done if anyone’s interested. This is a pretty small sauna at about 5x6 inside with closer to 210 cu ft, versus the 230 I thought initially. In terms of temp, it can get pretty intense. Last night it was easily running at about 197 degrees. 4 people is tight but easily doable.


I got the stove and a few other supplies here:

https://superiorsaunas.com/

[Todd Amunrud]

We’re building a 5-6 day/week sauna habit. Inside is pretty much done. Some minor finish work.
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[caleb]

You made the right choice building it yourself (and it looks great!).

My brother ordered a ready-made unit in late summer with a delivery date of early November, and he still hasn't seen any sign of it. Turns out, saunas are something of a hot item this winter.

[Todd Amunrud]

Working on exterior cladding. This is 5/8” exterior grade bcx plywood primed and painted.
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Got to get my helper in there. He’ll lay in the snow all day.
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[j44ke]

...

Got to get my helper in there. He’ll lay in the snow all day.
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He's probably not much interested in the sauna I'm guessing.

[Todd Amunrud]

He's probably not much interested in the sauna I'm guessing.

Not even close��

[Todd Amunrud]

Finished up the exterior except for the roof. That may wait until the snow is completely off the roof. Planning on a rubber roof membrane.
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This spring I’ll sand and apply finish to the exterior cedar areas.

[rwsaunders]

So how have the neighbors enjoyed seeing your sauna users rolling in the snow?

[Todd Amunrud]

So how have the neighbors enjoyed seeing your sauna users rolling in the snow?

So far so good. However, with two Newfoundland’s there isn’t much safe snow. We haven’t had as much snow this year too. So the 3-5 foot drift that usually builds back here is nonexistent.

[j44ke]

Two Newfies! That's like having two walking sofas.