Another method, laminate bending, uses thin slices of wood glued together and bent. Tension-strap hardware for complex curves: S-bend unit no. You might opt to screw a hold-down on either end of the wood to keep it wood bending steam box zip. You can add more bening to your steam box by drilling holes if you have difficulty maintaining the temperature. Updated: April 8, Thick parts may not bend in one operation.

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Tips and Warnings. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Method 1 of All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Soak the wood you want to bend in water for at least a day before steaming. This will make the wood much easier to bend after steaming. Place the lumber you want to bend in a container full of water, completely submerged, and soak it overnight before you steam it.

Keep in mind that air-dried lumber is easier to steam than kiln-dried lumber. Woods with more open grain, for example oak, are the most easy to steam bend.

Place the moist wood into a steam box. A steam box may be constructed from wood or PVC pipe. The steam box needs to be big enough to let the steam flow around the piece of wood and needs openings, like drilled holes, so that the steam gets airflow and does not become volatile. A steam box is essentially just an enclosure that opens at 1 end and has a hose running into it from a steam generator.

If possible, work outside when you are steam bending wood. Steam gets very hot, so be incredibly careful around the steam box and generator. Wear heat-resistant gloves and safety goggles while you are steaming and bending the wood. Hook up a steam generator to the steam box with a hose. A steam generator may be store bought or you can use an appliance like a wallpaper steamer. Attach the steam generator to the steam box via a hose or tube. They are available cheaply at most home decorating stores.

If you made a homemade steam box, you can drill a hole to fit Build A Steam Box For Bending Wood Key the hose or tube that connects to the steam generator. Steam the wood for 1 hour for every 1 in 2. The general rule for steam bending wood is 1 hour for every 1 in 2. This is the temperature that water boils at, so as long as you have proper ventilation in your steam box the temperature should stay close to this number.

Constructing the box is very easy. Support dowels allow steam to circulate around the wood. Note: Product availability and costs are subject to change since original publication date. Lee Valley , leevalley. This story originally appeared in American Woodworker July , issue Purchase this back issue.

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By American Woodworker Editors. By Seth Keller Building a steam box for bending wood only requires exterior-grade plywood, waterproof glue and an electric tea kettle. Thick parts may not bend in one operation. When you feel too much resistance, remove the part from the form and re-steam it for 15 minutes.

As the bend nears completion, remove the bending arm clamps interfering with the bend. Then draw the free end against the form with a one-handed bar clamp. Clamp the straight portion of the leg to the form and then add clamps along the curved section. Allow the part to cool for one hour and then quickly transfer it to a drying form. Clamp multiple thin strips at the bend to prevent surface splintering. Leave the part on the form for one week.

Safety note! Steam scalds skin on contact. Opening the steam box releases a cloud of steam, so keep your face and any other bare skin away. Wear heavy leather gloves when handling steamed blanks. Make sure the drain hole remains open. Do not pressurize the steam chamber: Pressurized steam is detrimental to successful wood bending and extremely dangerous.

Source: Boiler: Steam-bending kit no. Sources: Spring steel strip,. Tension-strap hardware for complex curves: S-bend unit no. Lee Valley Hardware, , leevalley. After marking and installing biscuit joints in several boards that I've glued up edge-to-edge, I Skip to main content. Steam Bending. Team up heat and moisture to add curves to projects. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Text. Printer-friendly version. Read more about Wood Preparation. Not So Dangerous Curves Ahead.

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