I have a question on steam bending wood.
If I can remember, there was a formmula for the length of time a piece should stay in the steamer…..I think it was 1/2hr per half in of stock…..I need to bend a piece of wood probably oak approx. 1 1/2″ X 2″ X 3′ long…..What’ s the length of time this piece should stay in if my formula is right, 1 1/2 hrs, 2 hrs, or 3 1/2 hrs?
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Replies
You may want to post this over at Knots as well.
megs - i have steamed some wood with reasonable success, what kind of oak? whats the radius? exterior or interior? have you taken in consideration of a springback? have you thought of laminating strips with a bending form? steaming has a learning curve to it , can you spare the time. steaming is like getting to carnigie hall ,practice,practice,practice. just to get the right conditions , is a bit prickly. BUT if you like me throw caution to the wind and start boiling the water with a touch of fabric softner. and get your form ready with a jorgensen canvas band clamp. and let her rip. seriously though how about some details??
.." Feed the good wolf....."
Edited 8/22/2005 9:37 pm ET by alias
this is just standard oak from my shop....the piece I am bending is real simple (as far as the finished description goes) 3' long, at 2' there's a 45 degree bend, that's about it. I have done bending before. Nothing fantastic just messing around. Mostly small stock just to see how it works. I'm pretty much the fly by night guy, trial and error. This is my first piece where I'm actually going with demensions.....although this is not a drastic piece for my woodwork...I'm actually repairing an outdoor toy for my daughter. I made the steambox a while ago and the thing has been sitting eer since those trial days......One thing that is new though, I've never heard of the fabric softner bit.
Thanks guys, Dave
dave- the fabric softener is not a secret , have you ever felt a towel that has been washed with fabric softener, pretty soft supple. and does not absorb water as well as a regularly washed towel, the reason is that the fabric softner impregnates it self in the fibers . now substitute the fiber of a towel /for the pores of wood .the water /softner mixture is pushed under some pressure and softens the pores making the bend alittle less of a shock to the piece. there are two forces going on with the bend ,compression and on the inside and tension on the outside of the bend. any help that reduces those to forces makes a better bend. there are some more seasoned wood workers that feel that is whole lot of hooey. alot depends on the wood, the radius, and more importantly the dimension. hell i tryed it and it work for me....... good luck and have some fun with it .... any picture of the steam box?? kent.." Feed the good wolf....."
I'm probably gonna start experimenting today. I'll try the fabric softener, what's the ratio to water? I'll post some pics this afternoon.
thanks
a cap or so per gallon, remember vertical grain is easier all around to steam than flat grain. more stable also..." Feed the good wolf....."
Go with the thicker demension to figure time I have used 1hr.per inch. If you have sawn wood make extra sticks some will break. If you use rived sticks they will bend better. If you are doing a tight bend you need a steel strap on the backside (outside) of the stick so that the wood will not tear apart.