HOME MADE STEAM BOX

Hi Fred,

Are those vents running laterally along the pipe?

-- Chuck, Pullman, WA

Hey Chuck,

Those are bolts that I had laying around so they are quite a bit longer than they needed to be. I did make the holes so that the bolts fit loosely so a minimal amount of steam does escape there.

-- Fred.... Poconos, PA ---- Chairwright in the making ----

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Nice Idea! Thank you for posting this, it will come in very handy in a future project.
How long do you steam the pieces and how long after steaming do you have to work with them?
Thanks again,
Jim

-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.

Very nice, looks simple and usefull.

-- Glenn, New Mexico

Jim,

I am by no means an expert on wood or the amount of time that is required to steam certain species of wood, there is plenty of info out on the web to help you out with that. The pieces that I have steamed so far were red oak about one inch in diameter. It took anywhere from 30-45 minutes to get them soft enough to bend. This may vary depending on how much steam you produce. As far as how long you have to work with the wood, make sure that you have everything you need handy before you open the steam box. This will aide in making the transition from the box to the bending form smooth.

-- Fred.... Poconos, PA ---- Chairwright in the making ----

A very nice set up.

This should last you for many years, & it won’t take up much space for storing it.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

You look like you are ready for some serious production now. I think you’ll be able to bend more than a few pieces in that set up. What I really want to see now is a photo of you splitting out that big red oak log – that’s some real work :) Good luck with the chairs.

-- Every cloud has a silver lining

Are you not supposed to cover the pipe with insulation to prevent heat loss? Thats what I have always seen to date however your set up looks like a sensible approach that can be used again and again whenever needed regards Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

How big is your galvanised can and how long do you get steam from that setup.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Alistar,

The wall of this pipe is thick enough that insulation is not required. I don’t have to keep this steamer going for very long to get the parts I need soft enough to bend.

Karson,

The can is 5 gallons and there is a wood cork with a hole in the top for a funnel if there is a need for more water.

Kenn,

I really don’t mind the log splitting. The part that bothers me right now is having to borrow my brother’s dump truck to go pick up the logs that I score. I will have to purchase a dump trailer in the near future.

-- Fred.... Poconos, PA ---- Chairwright in the making ----

That’s a real hot set-up.

-- Frank, Florissant, Missouri "The New Show-Me Woodshop"

Looks like a very well made set-up. Are those bolts just to keep the wood off the bottom of the steam chamber?

One thing I’ve never understood about steaming wood is the fact that you are adding moisture to it. After all the concerns I’ve read about drying wood enough to woork with it, it seems that steaming it would be going backwards. Do you have to kiln-dry the wood again after steaming and forming? Is there a minimum amount of time to wait after steaming and forming for the moisture content to lower again before you work it? Will it ever retiurn to the moisture content you had before steaming?

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

I have to have one of these, so I hope you don’t mind me favouriting your project.

-- Stanley generally struggling

Rikkor,

Yes, the bolts raise the wood up enabling it to be steamed uniformly.

EEngineer,

The wood that I am steaming making chairs is not kiln dried it is taken right from a log, it is then dried after steaming and forming.

-- Fred.... Poconos, PA ---- Chairwright in the making ----

Great looking and very practical steamer. I will have to make one. Just what I have been looking for. Thanks for the info…...Jerry

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Jerry,

This post was for your question about steam boxes. I’m glad to hear it is something you can use.

-- Fred.... Poconos, PA ---- Chairwright in the making ----

From a recent steam bending course I attended – you should allow 1 hour in the steamer (once at 100%) for every inch in thickness .

Hey Fred,

Is your can for water just a steel gas can? What brand is it? I’ve been looking for the galvanized variety, and I only seem to find painted steel.

Chuck

-- Chuck, Pullman, WA

Hey Chuck,

The can is a 5 GAL. called Old Ironsides. It is an old style gas can that doesn’t meet the safety standards of today so they are unable to label it a gas can. Luckily for me there was an old standby mom and pop hardware store in my old home town and I was able to land two of them. If you look on-line you may be able to find one but it won’t be easy. Happy hunting!

-- Fred.... Poconos, PA ---- Chairwright in the making ----

Awesome post, very informative. My wifes gonna flip when I tell her, I want to build a stem box.

-- Les Forster, Minneapolis (Apple Valley) MN,

Good for you laddie I want to get my hands on a big piece of plastic underground gas pipe about 10 inches diameter and about 3/4inches thick and try this.I may have left it too late in this lifetime thoughLOL Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Great project! I’ve been thinking about building one of these for quite some time. I never have been able to justify it for the small amount of steam bending I’ve ever done (none). I guess that I have to start somwhere! Where was the greatest incured cost?

-- Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands- establish the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17