Yesterday a.m., I made my bending jig:
MDF, 2 pieces thick, repurposed from my “zero clearance” top to my tablesaw, with several kerfs cut out of the middle. This is what gave my bandsaw some problems – being grabby.
Between sawing, liberating it from the bandsaw, (trying to assemble my heretofore unused jig saw attachment for my shopsmith – and discovered I didn’t get any blades with), more sawing, and finally sanding. I spent about as much time on the jig, as I did ripping my strips, twice, and steaming them.
Again, thinking I only needed to steam the middle to get the bend I was going for, I figured a few inches overhang would be fine. 24” strips on my 12” skillet, sealed up like jiffy pop. They certainly got hot enough… but as Ryan later pointed out, soft wood just isn’t supposed to bend. A fact I was blissfully ignorant to, and like him, still eager to prove wrong (as Ryan already has!) – next attempt, some old, non kiln dried lumber (after a good long soak)... which unfortunately leaves this contest entry out of the question.
This morning I found my strips – all the broken ones, which were still nice looking lumber, maintained a slight bend to them. Which I can’t show you, as they are keeping me warm and toasty as i type this….
While time wasn’t on my side, I had a lot of faith in my idea. I was just ignorant of the physics involved in bending (or rather the resiliency) of pine.
Unless I get a brainstorm in the coming hours, I’m out. Best of luck to you and your boxes and former 2×4s. And good luck choosing your top five. Not an easy task!
-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative
9 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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8398 posts in 256 days
posted 203 days ago
Scott, Sacrilege. Making firewood out of lumber- the horror. I am sure that your stress levels were through the roof on this one. If making firewood out of the pieces lowered your blood pressure then the project served a useful purpose. I am a firm believer that we learn more from our miscues than we do from our successes.
I wish you could have completed the project but just participation in the event is rewarding itself.
Good luck on future projects.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
darryl
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770 posts in 761 days
posted 203 days ago
you never know if you don’t first try.
now get back up on that horse and make it happen!
-- ~ www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.woodworkingdungeon.blogspot.com ~
scottb
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2839 posts in 761 days
posted 203 days ago
yep learned quite a bit… about that horse though. I’ll tame it, but do you think she can be tamed (start to finish) in six or seven hours?
-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative
RobS
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1070 posts in 741 days
posted 203 days ago
Darn! Foiled again…..Well good try and once again you improved your knowledge base.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
scottb
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2839 posts in 761 days
posted 203 days ago
Not again, Rob. Still. I’m just continuing on yesterday.
Yesterday was really productive apart from my (literal) steaming. Just getting the pictures out there. NPDH ya know.
The rest of the day was great, productivity wise. Today was also a good shop day. But it was a good day FOR the shop, not a good day IN the shop. I’m taking lights and power run where I need it, but that’s another blog.
-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative
RobS
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1070 posts in 741 days
posted 203 days ago
I know, it sounded better that way though… Darn! Foiled.. Just didn’t have it..
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
Karson
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12413 posts in 835 days
posted 203 days ago
Sorrry Scott. But I didn’t even try. Just too busy.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
rikkor
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7015 posts in 309 days
posted 203 days ago
Yeah, bending 2×4 material. I tried it, too. Didn’t happen.
-- Maplewood, MN
MsDebbieP
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11427 posts in 595 days
posted 203 days ago
bummer….
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)