Letters in recent issues of Fine Woodworking suggest a need for a simple and safe wood steamer. I have made many chair rockers, back boards and splats, as well as wooden hoops, with the one described here.

It is a 12-in. by 60-in. hot-water tank with the top cut out. It has wrap-around insulation and a plywood lid with a soft rubber gasket. A 10-lb. weight holds down the lid. The tank sits on building tiles, and an electric hot plate is set between them. Presoaked wood is suspended above the water line on twine string. A caution: When removing wood, raise the lid slowly and away from you to avoid the hot steam. For longer wood, a downspout could be attached to the tank.

Albert J. Gnaedinger, Pocahontas, Ill.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, Winter 1978 No. 13

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