Wood steaming tips

[Great Lakes Greg]

I am making my own tack strips and have learned some thing to pass on. I rigged up a steamer (pictured, I hope) with some PCV and a clothing steamer. 1) kiln dried wood is lousy for bending. All the moisture is gone so it takes a REALLY long time to get it soaked. 2) The wood turns purple when it is steamed. Hmmm. 3) PVC pipe cement does not hold up to steam and falls apart. 4) While you are rushing to get to the mold with your piece of wood, move your beer out of the way so it doesn't get knocked over. All in all it was a positive experience and I would recommend doing it yourself. If I can do it, anybody can.

 

[Blessyouboys]

I have a couple of recommendations for you.

First, use green wood. The wood is already wet, all you have to do is get it hot. As you have noticed, kiln dried wood is terrible for steaming. Not that you can't do it, but you need to let it steam at least an hour for every inch in thickness. Also, using green wood you stand a better chance of ensuring uniform grain throughout the stick you're bending. With kiln dried wood, you're left with the choices that were made at the mill. Also, green wood (a log) is much, much cheaper to purchase than the same amount in board feet of processed wood from a lumber yard.

Second, you need a large source of steam. The clothing steamer you're using just doesn't produce enough steam. Here is a link to an article that describes a very efficient, cheap steam box. I've built one using schedule 40 PVC pipe, and it has held up for many years now. The advantage to using schedule 80 pipe is that the heavier pipe tends to hold the head better and you stand less of a chance burning yourself on the pipe should you touch it.

I'm sorry I can't help you with the beer, though. I hope it was a domestic that got spilt.

 

[LarryinWA]

My son-in-law uses one of Mike Dunbars steamers to bend wood for Windsor chairs and it does a beautiful job. We have bent oak and maple with ease.

 

[MikeK]

Try steaming the wood in the beer.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Mix ammonia with the water to help.

[FONT=Times New Roman, adobe-times, Times]This is a 2" copper tube that has boiling water in while having the oak inside.[/FONT]​

 

[Blessyouboys]

I've also been told that adding fabric softener to the water will help in bending wood. I've never tried it, however.