I made this inexpensive steamer out of two 2-ft.-long pieces of PVC drain pipe. Lightly score the pipe lengthwise on a tablesaw, and use the mark as a guide to drill 3⁄16-in.-dia. through-holes 5 in. apart, leaving about 2 in. on each end for fittings. Slide brass rods through the holes. To keep them from sliding out, I placed clear plastic tubing (Amazon.com) over each end. Glue each pipe into a T-joint using PVC cement. Tip the ends of the pipes up slightly so that condensation will run back to the steamer. Drill a hole in the T-section for a meat thermometer you’ll use to verify the temperature, making the hole a bit oversize to allow some steam to escape. Slide on the end caps, and fill the steamer with water. In 15 minutes, you’ll have 200° steam. With this setup, I’ve bent stock up to 3⁄4 in. thick by 2-1⁄2 in. wide.

Jim Richey

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