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6K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  j1212t 
#1 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
 

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#2 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.



Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
I'm sure I could blow up my shop with that setup.
Glad to see you've got it under control.
Steam bending would definitely open up some new ways to work….....................
 

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#3 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Why the gloves? It ain't that hot, and you'll learn more about the temps you can use your wood at.

TOday I am making boiled peanuts in the shop using a crock pot that will go hot enough to boil.
I couldn't stir them with a big spoon so I used a slice from a maple board I resized.

I noticed it was bending as I pushed down and stirred.

When I took it out I wrapped it around a big piece of oil well casing.

Wow, I was amazed how easy it was and I have a great piece to work with.
 

Attachments

#4 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.



Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
ideally the core temp of the wood needs to get to @ 375 degrees Fahrenheit that is hot enough to burn your skin..thus the gloves.
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
That's amazing Kai, thanks for sharing.
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
I forgot to add; the boiler can be any can that can hold several gallons and the heat source could be a fire of shavings and chips from making the parts to bend.
 

Attachments

#7 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Does the steam flow through the pvc? I don't see a release hole at the end. Need to do this, thanks for posting.
 

Attachments

#8 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting






then you need a bending form of some sort





with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire












that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Thanks Kai! I don't know how hot mine was, but I could still hang on to it.
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting






then you need a bending form of some sort





with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
I have to chime in at this point.
First of all, steam burns now. IMMEDIATELY! So that's why you should always wear gloves when steam bending.
Second, water boils at 212 degrees, at sea level. That's when steam starts. The temp of the wood needs to be 200 degrees or more. 375 is crazy hot and totally unnecessary and extremely difficult to achieve.
Watch my video here - - in order to see how to do this operation safely.
 

Attachments

#10 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.







then you need a bending form of some sort





with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.













that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Earlextech, I agree. For every thousand feet of altitude the temperature needed to boil water will drop 3°F. Or at least I think that is what I learned in school.
I lived in West Yellowstone, MT once for about 3 years. That is at 8585' altitude. You should try cooking a pot of beans or baking a cake.
I also believe that to achieve 375° with water vapor the vessel needs to be under pressure and sealed. This is why pressure cookers work.

As for 200°F temps, I seldom ever wear gloves for temps that low. My mom had a restaurant when I was a kid and one learned to handle hot stuff at that temp. I never got out of the habit and it soon becomes clear that the surface temp of most organic substances cools very quickly compared to the interior temperatures.
 

Attachments

#11 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Earlextech - I gotta disagree. just because the water is at 210 +- degrees that does not mean that the steam is. this high school chemistry (which is why I don't understand that not everyone knows this) the steam coming off from an open pot is nearly always 50 or more degrees above the water temperature, creating back pressure by putting a lid on can bring the steam temp up another 100 degrees, steam coming out of a tea kettle's whistle is often hotter than 400 degrees, which is why it burns instantly. the lignin in the wood doesn't actually soften until the wood is that hot. a bigger problem in steam bending is accidentally letting the interior of the box to get to hot and dry (steam temperatures reaching 700 will do this) and scorching the wood which doesn't happen until the wood reaches temperatures in access of 450 degrees (Fahrenheit). your blatant and incorrect self-aggrandizing advertisement tells me you have no idea of the situation.
 

Attachments

#12 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Hmmm, let me try this before I agree one way or another.

From what I learned in school, steam cannot heat to higher than 212° at sea level when not under pressure.
If it does, it is no longer steam, instead it becomes gasses.
In that case, you won't be steaming your wood, you will be heating it with gasses: Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen, plus a few minor things. (Remember nitrogen makes up 93% of the air we breathe).

On another note, I have read a number of studies by wood workers that say wood doesn't really need to be steamed, only heated in order to bend.

BTW, please don't accuse anyone without proof or at least references. I didn't see Earlextech as either self aggrandizing or making an advertisement.
 

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#13 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Lazy - I've read your post several times now. I don't see where you are disagreeing with me. Steam is hotter than the water it comes off. I agree. I didn't actually say anything different. I stated that the wood needs to be 200 degrees or more. You agreed but thought that 400 degrees works better for bending. I'm fine with that. I happen to work for a company that makes a safe way to provide steam for small steam bending projects. I showed that in a video I did for them. Then I shared it with fellow LJ's to give them and you the information that there is more than one way. Your last line baffles me. To each his own.
 

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#14 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.













that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Hmmmm, As soon as steam is given off by heated water it will start to lose temperature.
 

Attachments

#15 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting






then you need a bending form of some sort





with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.













that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Dallas = no, the temp of the steam coming off from the water is higher than the boiling water temp. when you put a bit of back pressure on it (like a loose lid on a pot) you generate what is known as vapor pressure inside the container which causes the steam temp to increase rapidly, the water temp does not increase.
 

Attachments

#16 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting






then you need a bending form of some sort





with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.











Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Actually, I forgot to ask my smart college educated friends and family about this.
I have no problem with being wrong, I just want to have scientific prrof to get my noggin around.

I'm not well educated, but I do have an 8th grade diploma.

Kai, I am really not doubting you, I just need some corroboration.
 

Attachments

#17 ·
Finally get around to doing some steam bending

Hi all;
So I've finally gotten around to doing some of the steam bending of chair parts that I mentioned I was going to do with that log.

my set up is fairly simple:
propane tank, burner + stand from a turkey deep fryer, an old 5 gal can to boil the water in and a length of pvc pipe for the steam box.

Vehicle registration plate Automotive tire Plant Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting


Wood Gas Plant Natural material Tree


Wood Plant Grass Gas Soil


then you need a bending form of some sort

Wood Hardwood Tool Flooring Landscape


Wood Hardwood Flooring Landscape Plywood


with removable pegs and wedges to lock the bent part in place while it cools.

the pvc is supported on my saw buck w/ on end up on bricks.

so after your parts have cooked a while you whip them out and push them around the form (not to fast but not really slow, if it cools it will not finish bending) , applying wedges as you go.

Wheel Motor vehicle Wood Tree Tire


Wood Motor vehicle Saw Engineering Gas


Saw Wood Tradesman Carpenter Power tool


Tradesman Wood Hat Artisan Plant


Wood Plant Tradesman Gas Saw


Saw Wood Shorts Gas Plant


that is all really.
thinner parts work better with a back strap. I do not happen to have a back strap just now.
I'll write more as the chairs progress.
Well, it seems I must back up and regroup here.
According to a very smart feller I am friends with, (He has multiple doctorate degree in science and engineering), The water in it's liquid form will never exceed 212°F. When it becomes steam and escapes through a spout it will climb in temperature for the same kind of reasons that diesel engines work. That is, the spout causes the steam to become slightly compressed and lose latent heat to the surrounding area.
However, having said that, from looking at your pictures the setup will never reach the 375°F point. Why? Because the maximum ambient working temperature of Schedule 40 PVC is 120°F and it will melt at anything over 275°F. Also, without some form of insulation the pipe will radiate most of it's heat outward.
 

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#18 ·
Handles for bending strap

well I searched my garage for material appropriate to make handles/ends for my new steam bending strap. (re: Lee Valley)
I was looking for a piece of 2×2 that was dark and possibly luan that I remember having. couldn't find. then I looked through all of the stuff that I did have handy… beech, could be chair parts, osage, don't want to waste it on something that'll be left outside….spf .. to soft, oak (red or white) chair parts again. then I bumped into these. I grabbed them where I used to work. they were both pallet/skid blocks. the one on the left I believe is cocobolo and the one on the right I thought was ipe, but after planing a bit of the rough off I think it may be sapelle. if one of these rescued from the trash isn't perfect for this application I don't know what is. if I saw that cocobolo right I can have a fingerboard left over….. hmmmm
be well
K

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Lumber
 

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#19 ·
Handles for bending strap

well I searched my garage for material appropriate to make handles/ends for my new steam bending strap. (re: Lee Valley)
I was looking for a piece of 2×2 that was dark and possibly luan that I remember having. couldn't find. then I looked through all of the stuff that I did have handy… beech, could be chair parts, osage, don't want to waste it on something that'll be left outside….spf .. to soft, oak (red or white) chair parts again. then I bumped into these. I grabbed them where I used to work. they were both pallet/skid blocks. the one on the left I believe is cocobolo and the one on the right I thought was ipe, but after planing a bit of the rough off I think it may be sapelle. if one of these rescued from the trash isn't perfect for this application I don't know what is. if I saw that cocobolo right I can have a fingerboard left over….. hmmmm
be well
K

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Lumber
oK , NOW this seems odd to me,. I've used purpleheart before( 2 times), it always has looked almost black before i started working it, this 3×3 (on the right) of maybe Ipe has turned purple over night where I planed off the dirty dull brown sawmarks. does anyone know….is this usual?
 

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