Anyone who has any experience with steaming wood? I'm going to do it in a small project I'm working on and am looking for some "do's and don'ts."
I was thinking of making a simple small setup from a drain pipe that I plug at each end and then have a hose for steam input somewhere in the middle.
What I'm unsure about is how to get the steam in easily and efficiently without needing a complicated construction. And how much steam flow do you need? Could you basically use a simple kettle? A hood with a hose over the kettle leading into the drain pipe? It's not supposed to be a pressure chamber directly...
I was thinking of making a simple small setup from a drain pipe that I plug at each end and then have a hose for steam input somewhere in the middle.
What I'm unsure about is how to get the steam in easily and efficiently without needing a complicated construction. And how much steam flow do you need? Could you basically use a simple kettle? A hood with a hose over the kettle leading into the drain pipe? It's not supposed to be a pressure chamber directly...
When I was steaming, I placed a pipe on a wooden board with holes in it and put the board on a pot of boiling water. Then you can partially seal the top of the pipe, so the steam doesn't escape too quickly. It worked excellently. There's some rule of thumb for how long a certain thickness should be steamed, but I don't remember it now. Then it's important to work quickly, especially for thinner pieces.
I made the mistake of cutting the wood too much beforehand. If you want to get an evenly rounded shape, you need a bit of extra "handles" at the ends, otherwise you can't exert any bending force at the very ends. Good luck!
Hans
I made the mistake of cutting the wood too much beforehand. If you want to get an evenly rounded shape, you need a bit of extra "handles" at the ends, otherwise you can't exert any bending force at the very ends. Good luck!
Hans
Damn, missed that you had replied so excellently. 
Yes, a pipe and a pot or kettle it will be. Cheap and good.
I have a fair grasp on the time, 2 minutes per millimeter of wood I've heard and it matches quite well with an hour per inch. Then the wood isn't ruined by being in too long, so you can always take a little extra time.
Thanks for the tips!
Yes, a pipe and a pot or kettle it will be. Cheap and good.I have a fair grasp on the time, 2 minutes per millimeter of wood I've heard and it matches quite well with an hour per inch. Then the wood isn't ruined by being in too long, so you can always take a little extra time.
Thanks for the tips!