Comments on: Get Bent! OK, I Will

By: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkLcTS5M8MyLPud6Cz0m6U41dXQV2PJ0y8

www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkLcTS5M8MyLPud6Cz0m6U41dXQV2PJ0y8 — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:43:42 +0000

I want to know what kind of structural properties this product has after it is dried out. How strong is it compared to regular wood? Does it get wiggly again on a humid day? Bows for a windsor chair sound pretty safe because it will be fully supported, but what happens when it is used on its own to make interesting curved shapes?

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:44:44 +0000

Let me clarify for a moment: I know that the steam box isn’t under pressure (if made correctly). When I refer to the "bomb" in my entry, I am referring to the compressed gas used to heat the water. That’s the bomb.

I never had much luck with a teakettle approach for large pieces.

Also, I know you can use fire and a pipe as well. But I don’t have a fire pit in my shop (sadly).

Bottom line: I don’t like flames in my shop.

Chris

By: Joseph Sullivan

Joseph Sullivan — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:35:46 +0000

I have watched a fair amount of steam bending by chair makers also for birch-bark canoes made by late famous Bill Hafeman of Big Fork Minnesota. These guys just used a pipe of water angled over an open fire.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:52:34 +0000

Regarding potential bombs…

Everyone seems to think that steam boxes are pressurized. They’re not. A steam box is no more likely to explode than a teakettle on your stove.