Questions about DIY incubator and current incubator

[Worm94]

Hello, I have been doing a lot of reading as spring approaches on DIY incubators, as chick fever is almost definitely here. The thing is that we have a basic incubator but it's a little giant, and as I've read up on incubators in general I've realized that's not a very good incubator.
It worked the first hatch perfectly and since then it makes a terrible noise when plugged in and the temperature spikes at random and killed the last eggs I tried to put in there. Therefore I am not certain that it can be used in any capacity going forward as I do have to sleep sometimes and cannot moniter it consistently enough to prevent spikes like that in the future.
One of the things I want to get is a hygrometer, as we've got a couple thermometers lying around. But I am wondering if the incubator as a box, since it is styrofoam, could be repurposed. The alternative is tossing the whole thing. The noise worries me specifically, as I'm not sure which component is messed up to cause that and I'm not sure it's fixable.
I also have access to straw, cardboard boxes, and there are baseboard heaters that run through the warmest room in the house. Towels etc, I've got those too.
I've got light bulbs of varying types though I'd have to sort them, and a red bulb heat lamp though I've heard mixed reviews on using one of those (I have personally used one in the past in brooder setups and had no issue but I don't know going forward). I also have an old space heater that can blow hot air (though it does so intermittently and as a result I don't know if it could be used for this purpose).
I'm wondering about the possibility of using the heat from the baseboard heaters, provided I was able to capture it and maintain it at a stable temperature within an enclosed box of some sort (using possibly towels and/or holes drilled to keep it at a steady warmth inside and straw or something like it for insulation. Would it be safe, provided it was monitored? Or should I attempt to hook up a light bulb situation?
There wouldn't be any windows in this set up either, but there'd be a way to reach in and turn eggs manually at least. I don't think I'd need a window as I'd take the eggs out periodically to candle them anyway and toss any duds. Would the darkness have an effect at all, vs an incubator with lights or a window?
It definitely would not be a standard set up but I'm trying to see if I can work with what I've got. I've read about people hatching eggs with their own warmth but between the fact I'd like to hatch more than one or two eggs at a time and I have to be active, I can't do that. It definitely made me wonder about other potential alternatives though.

Thank you for reading and any insight y'all have would be welcomed!

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have 2 incubators, a little giant, and a farm innovators. Both are hand turn, foam still air. I went with that kind, because there is less to go wrong. Although you can buy a turner separate. I have not had problems with mine. I always hatch in the FI, but eggs if I stagger hatch go in the LG to heat up. (I just try and keep one free of hatching material.)

 

[Worm94]

I have 2 incubators, a little giant, and a farm innovators. Both are hand turn, foam still air. I went with that kind, because there is less to go wrong. Although you can buy a turner separate. I have not had problems with mine. I always hatch in the FI, but eggs if I stagger hatch go in the LG to heat up. (I just try and keep one free of hatching material.)

I don't have a turner either in mine, I don't recall if it's still air or not but I will check it to be sure. I don't know what's wrong with it is the thing and since it killed my last batch of eggs with a nasty temp spike I don't want to use it again till I either figure out what the issue is or make an alternative.
Been researching other incubators for sure but they are quite expensive.

 

[gimmie birdies]

if you are making your own incubators be mindful of the heat.
Here is one of mine. My window is not for the eggs to see, it is for me to see, it also serves as a lid to turn eggs.

I poke holes at the bottom of incubator and put in plastic straws so they don't close up, and you can see I have a bit of air space for the top of the incubator, for the upper air. (This is dry hatch so I don't add water till day 18.)

This box is 18''x18'' I foil the bottom, or in this case put down a turky pan, the bulb is 15w. I put wire 4 from the top of inside incubator, then cover with a breathable cloth.

in this case i put a basket to set the eggs in so they don't roll to the edges.