Im steamed.

There was one in FWW that involved a metal drain pipe, a red gas can and a propane stove. Seemed to work well.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Coho, Wood Magazine had an article in the March 2007 issue (#175) that featured Russ Filbeck building a ladderback rocking chair which included steam bending. There was also a short project in that same magazine that showed how to make a simple steamer from plywood and an old style tea pot.

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

coho,

Did you see this? http://lumberjocks.com/topics/98

Lew

Coho,
I’ve been bending wood for years and I just made a pine box 8×8x48. Put one fixed end and a loose fitting hinged door on the other. Put some dowels through the box to lay wood on while steam. I have two levels.
Drill about a 2” hole in the center of the bottom, and a drain hole in one end. Go down to Wal-Mart and pick up a propane lobster/crawfish cooker. Drill a matching 2” hole in the lid an make a 1×4 “gasket” for sealing the lid to the bottom of the box. Set the box on some saw as tall as the top of the cooker and light it off.
I have an oil drain can that I use instead of the pot that comes with the cooker. The box doesn’t have to be air tight. don’t worry about what the temperature is in the box. If you have a lot of steam coming out of all the cracks, it’s hot enough. Be careful using metal, the rust will stain most wood, especially oak.
If I get a chance, I’ll post some pictures of the one I use.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

I’ve seen a similar thing to Carl – a very simple plywood box (with a drain hole) and a hot water kettle with a hose going from it to the box.

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Coho, see my projects. I don’t have the patience to upload pictures to the sites required to put pictures on here.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com