Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 16, 2007 07:22pm | #1

   Jack, there will be lots of info on the internet about steam boxes, and bending too.  We have some great veneer experts here at Knots, sounds like a fun project.  Here are a couple of links on steam boxes:
   http://www.woodworkweb.com/woodwork/contentid-4.html (a wooden box)

   http://www.woodworking.com/article.cfm?article=1219 (Michael Dresdner on making a pipe-type box)

    

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   user-172496 | Sep 16, 2007 09:49pm | #5

   Thanks Forestgirl, where did you get a name like that!!!

   Jack

2. 
   oldusty | Sep 16, 2007 07:25pm | #2

   Greetings Jack ,

                How big around is your table top to be ?

              With 1/16" thickness Veneer edge , unless the circle  is a very tight radius no steaming should be needed .

         You will need to use Masking tape or something to hold things where you want them when gluing .

                     regards          dusty

3. 
   ted | Sep 16, 2007 08:11pm | #3

   steaming shouldn't be needed unless the radius is pretty tight. And Mahogany doesn't steam well anyways. If bending is a problem bent laminating or hot pipe would probably work out better.

1. 
   user-172496 | Sep 16, 2007 08:23pm | #4

   Hello Ted Thanks for your reply, The table has a radius of 17"

   Jack

4. 
   hammer1 | Sep 17, 2007 01:32am | #6

   Sparky, you definitely don't want to steam a 1/16" x 4" piece of wood. It will just curl badly across the width. One you have the piece made, I'd curl it up in a circle, loosely at first, then tighten it up, gradually, over a week or so. You may be able to fit it in a large bucket or pot, temporarily. It should wrap around a 34" table with out any trouble if the grain isn't too heavily figured. This is an application where the use of contact cement might be the easiest. Use a short nap roller to apply a coat on both the veneer and the table edge. Allow it to flash off/dry but not too long, 20-30 minutes is about right. Contact cement works by applying pressure, you can use your veneer hammer or borrow Ma's rolling pin.

   I have a picture of my el cheapo steam box. The most important thing is lots of steam, that means plenty of water. I use old electric tea pots to pre-boil the water I have to add to the big can. This keeps the steam production from being interrupted.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match