Really bendy wood!!!

[eoinsgaff]

This may have been posted before but its well worth a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LTSlQu7 ... playnext=1
This seems an incredible process. I'd love to know how he does it and if it really works. One has to ask the question; how well does it machine, sand or plane?

Eoin

 

[jimi43]

Most of my stock does that naturally - I just leave it in the damp workshop over winter! :mrgreen:

Seriously though...that is really thought provoking...bending steamers are fascinating...the one on the green woodworking programme on BBC last year could be made very simply...with drain piping and a steam generator.

I might try some of that stuff this winter...an ideal project for the cold weather...mind you...the humidity in the workshop would reach silly levels! #-o

Jim

 

[drillbit]

I've not tried steaming wood because making a steamer seems complex, but I do wonder - why can't you just soak it in a hot bath? Or can you?

 

[TheTiddles]

Making a steamer really is simple, get a length of 4" soil pipe, connectors at either end and a wallpaper stripper, that's it. Handling the wood when it's hot and getting it in the clamps, now that's a bit harder

Aidan

 

[Racers]

Hi, Drillbit

Wait untill Aldi/Lidl have a wallpaper striper on offer and build a box/lenght of drain pipe, works very well.

Pete

 

[eoinsgaff]

This guy seems to be going beyond steaming. He claims to have some patented technique. I understand one can purchase the wood he has treated, take it home and pretty much bend it to serious extremes when ever you want.

However in one of his videos I did see what appeared to be an autoclave. Steaming under pressure maybe? Or maybe some other gas or fluid is used.

Its all very mysterious. Suspect even. Witchcraft I think :shock: :shock: ](*,)

Eoin

 

[knappers]

I remember seeing some of this stuff some years ago.

http://www.bendywood.info/index.php?lang=english

It really is very bendy.

Si.

 

[drillbit]

Thanks Pete and Tiddles - I have a spare wallpaper thing knocking about so I might have a go this weekend. How long would I need to steam a piece say 18"x3"1/4" ? Could I make a round box this way?

Also - no one answer about just leaving in a hot bath. Is it a stupid question? I have seen a video of dipping wood into boiling water to soften it. Does the water have to be boiling in order to break down the bonds, so just hot water wouldn't work? Or does steam work into the grain better?

 

[knappers]

Thanks Pete and Tiddles - I have a spare wallpaper thing knocking about so I might have a go this weekend. How long would I need to steam a piece say 18"x3"1/4" ? Could I make a round box this way?

Also - no one answer about just leaving in a hot bath. Is it a stupid question? I have seen a video of dipping wood into boiling water to soften it. Does the water have to be boiling in order to break down the bonds, so just hot water wouldn't work? Or does steam work into the grain better?

I made this chair at school 25yrs ago, soaking the strips of wood in hot water in the darkroom sink to bend them before laminating!!

Si.

 

[drillbit]

That's a wicked chair knappers. How long did you need to soak the pieces for? Presumably much less than if they were thick pieces?

Looks like I am going to have to do some experimenting this weekend....

 

[knappers]

That's a wicked chair knappers. How long did you need to soak the pieces for? Presumably much less than if they were thick pieces?

Looks like I am going to have to do some experimenting this weekend....

Thanks. It was designed around the idea that it was built from 6 identical pieces.
Can't remember how long they soaked for. A couple of hours I guess. I think if they were think pieces you would need to steam, and would struggle to bend them by hand. 5mm thick laminations allow them to be bent and laid up by hand.

Si.