A steam box is a handy way to heat wood so that it becomes more pliable than it is at room temperature. Once pliable, you can bend the wood into shapes that you couldn't bend it into cold. Size of the steam box depends on the length and diameter of the wood that you intend to bend. In general, it's good to make the steam box just a little larger than the wood that you're trying to heat. The smaller the steam box, the faster it heats up and the sooner you're bending wood. I use a short steam box for bending ribs for kayaks. The ribs are 1/4 inch thick and 3/4 inches wide and. Bent wood can add uniqueness and flair to a project. There are several different methods that can be used, each with its advantages and disadvantages.  "The simple instructions for building the steam box helped. Other articles have assumed I had this information, and focused more on building forms." " more. Anonymous. Sep 9, "Basically I just wanted to know what were the techniques for bending wood. I already knew of the lamination method, but the others were new to me." " more. Terry Stacey. Bending wood the easy way, demonstrates how to build a steam box along with pictures to complete the www.- steam to bend wood is an old tradition. Timber Dining Table Dinning Table Console Table Kitchen Dining Dining Room Custom Furniture Furniture Design Home Reno Design Crafts.  In preparation to do a bit of steam bending for chair parts, Andy constructs a simple steam bending chamber and boiler, easily expandable for future work, an Rockler Woodworking Woodworking Skills Woodworking Techniques Woodworking Crafts Woodworking Tools Steam Box Steam Bending Wood How To Bend Wood Homemade Tools. Rockler Steam Bending Kit w/FREE Bentwood Carryall Plan Download.

We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations. I bought my kettle from Lee Valley see Source, below. It came with an aluminum pipe to direct steam into the box. Any electric kettle with a cylindrical spout for inserting a pipe or attaching a hose will do. The pipe enters at an angle, so make the hole oblong photo, below left.

Attach guide blocks to help direct the pipe into the hole after you refill the kettle. Drill a tight-fitting hole for a meat thermometer near one door. It should remain above degrees throughout the steaming cycle. One end should be higher to ensure that condensation flows to the drain holes.

To build a steam box for bending wood young the Lee Valley kettle, I propped one end of the box on a block 9 in. Then I attached the legs. Add two-piece doors to the ends. One piece is a cap; the other is a plug. I used large brass hinges to hang the doors. Add screen door hooks to keep the doors shut as you steam away. The kettle must be refilled now and then during the steaming process; two guide blocks help position the pipe when you re-insert it in the hole.

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 Valleyleevalley. This story originally appeared in American Woodworker Julyissue Purchase this back issue. Click on any of the images to view a larger version. Product Recommendations Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around build a steam box for bending wood young shop.

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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. Source Note: Product availability and costs are subject to change since Build A Steam Box For Bending Wood Quest original publication date.

Click on any of the images to view a larger version Cutting List Product Recommendations. We are delighted to share some of the best AW content here on the PW website. All rights reserved Privacy Policy Terms of Use. Start typing and press Enter to search. Building a steam box for bending wood only requires exterior-grade plywood, waterproof glue and an electric tea kettle.

Click on any of the images to view a larger version Cutting List.

Dec 01,  · Build the length to suit your needs but keep the interior space to about 7 in. square. A propane-powered turkey fryer filled with 3 to 4 gallons of water will produce enough steam for most projects. Keep the interior of the box to roughly 7 in. wide by 7 in. tall. Two 1 inch diameter holes, one at each end of the pipe, just before the end cap female fittings, are drilled to act as relief holes. They also provide a visual clue as to the readiness of the steam box to accept wood. The relief holes allow water (old steam) to drain without lowering the tempurature of the box. How to Make a Steambox for Bending Wood Step 1: Materials List. You will need 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch plywood in the appropriate length. Thinner plywood would work Step 2: Construct the Steam Box. Cut the plywood to the dimensions that you need. The interior of the steam box should Step 3: Add.

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