Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 27, 2005 04:51am | #1

   I soak wood in very hot water to make oval Shaker-style boxes (the sides are .06" - .085" in thickness). Pro: it's easy and doesn't require a lot of technique. Con: the wood can be a little toasty on the old finger tips, and if you forget and overcook the lignin, the wood will be limp and useless.

   For bending small pieces (purfling, stringwork), I direct steam at the work using the wand of a garment steamer, clothespinning the wood in place as I bend it.

   In both cases, you're dealing with heat (steam can give you a nasty burn), and the materials cool off very quickly.

   Hope this helps,

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 27, 2005 07:15am | #2

   jazzdogg,

   Thanks for the pros and cons.  When you are boiling the wood in the water, can you give me some guideline as to how long is too long before you have overcooked lignin?  I realize temperature may have something to do with it.

   What do you use for a heat source?  What sort of container are you using to boil the water? 

   Thanks for sharing your wisdom,

   Alan - planesaw 

1. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 27, 2005 07:44pm | #3

   Hi Alan,

   I've attached a snapshot that shows the "boiling" rig. Actually, the water is hot, but not boiling. I usually submerge Shaker box sides for 15-20 minutes before bending (both boiling and prolonged cooking could ruin the wood).

    -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

   
1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 28, 2005 02:10am | #4

   Thanks, and I appreciate the photo.    A picture is worth a thousand words, to coin a phrase.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   EdHarrison | Dec 28, 2005 02:14am | #5

   Jazz,

   Does soaking the wood in fabric softner really work?  Anyone?  Bueler? Bueler?Always been curious about this one - Ed

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 28, 2005 04:44am | #8

   Ed,

   I don't understand Bueler? Bueler?

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   EdHarrison | Dec 28, 2005 06:17am | #11

   Alan,

   From the movie Ferris Bueler's Day Off.  Implies asking a question with no one venturing a response. 

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 28, 2005 06:03pm | #12

   Thanks Bueler.  I know of the movie, but just didn't know the phrase.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 28, 2005 05:05am | #9

   Yes, it really works. And your wood smells April fresh!-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

3. 
   mike4244 | Dec 29, 2005 03:42am | #14

   Yes, fabric softner and hot water and you can bend wood much easier than hot water alone.I save the hot water and fabric softner in a five gallon pail and lid. I found that I can reuse it at least ten times.Maybe more, I have been using the same batch for two years,reheat each time.If your in doubt, try a small amount in the sink.

   Run water til it gets too hot too touch,put stopper in,pour a couple of ounces of downy fabric softer in and stir a bit. Put a paint stirrer in the mix for ten minutes or less.When you pull the paint stirrer out you can twist like a propeller, or bend it into a circle with ease.

   mike

1. 
   daryl | Dec 30, 2005 06:33pm | #15

   Several techniques I've either seen or used:If it's a tight circle, then put a pipe horizontally in a vise, with a torch (butane, not flashlight) to heat it up. Then you can slowly bend the wood in a circle. Don't do it alone, possible fire hazard. This works very well for inlay circles of very tight radii. Even on ebony, which is not the easiest wood to bend.Steaming. The Lee Valley website has lots of info and stuff for sale on it. Their booklet on how to do it is a free download.Boiling. I've never done it myself, but I just had a tour of the Steinway Factory with my woodworking club (and what a phenomenal tour--read my article on it at http://www.liwoodworkers.org --the December 2005 newsletter--end of shameless plug)--anyway, their carvers all boil the wood, and their craftsmanship and training is still spectacular. So it's something to consider. They didn't seem too concerned on how long they boiled the wood for, so I don't know the limitations.Anhydrous ammonia-this takes some serious industrial applications, as the ammonia used, which is far stronger and more dangerous than the household hudrous (containg water) type, but will bend just about any wood into any shape.

   Edited 12/30/2005 9:41 pm ET by Daryl

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 30, 2005 11:24pm | #16

   Daryl,

   Might help for you to edit your link.  Goes no-where.  Need to un-underline the dashes and the word the.

   Alan -planesaw

2. 
   DogwoodDesign | Dec 28, 2005 02:18am | #6

   I would add that if you choose to boil, use distilled water as tap water ususally has dirt and crud that will stain, cherry especially. I think it's a tannin reaction...so other species will have trouble as well.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 28, 2005 04:42am | #7

   When you say if I plan to boil, use distilled.  Is that as opposed to "steam?"

   Thanks,

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   DogwoodDesign | Dec 28, 2005 05:53am | #10

   Yes, if you boil, as in immerse in boiling (distilled) water. If you use only steam, the staining problem doesn't exist, 'cause, well, steam is distilled water :) I should also add, as another post stated, you don't really boil, it's just really hot, about 180-190 or so. Jeff

   Edited 12/27/2005 9:55 pm ET by DogwoodDesign

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 28, 2005 06:04pm | #13

   Thanks for the explanation.  I have learned to ask even though I think I may know the answer.  So often, there is an aspect I was not even aware of.

   I am off to find a hotplate and then hope to start bending wood.

   Alan - planesaw