Author Topic: How long to steam.  (Read 1461 times)

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Offline IrishJay

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How long to steam.
« on: October 06, 2019, 01:22:41 pm »
I finally got around to building myself a stave steamer so I can steam a whole stave in one shot rather than using a heat gun on small sections wrapped in wet rags and tin foil.

My first victim is going to be a piece of hard maple that I'm having trouble getting the bark off of. So my question is, how long should I steam it to loosen the bark? How long when I'm ready to bend it?
"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear

Offline Del the cat

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Re: How long to steam.
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2019, 02:06:51 pm »
Twice as long as you think  ;)
They reckon a rule of thumb is an hour per inch of thickness.
Del
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Offline IrishJay

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Re: How long to steam.
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2019, 02:18:53 pm »
Thanks Del. My plan is to steam it, get clamped down to my full length form, and then set it aside form and all to cure for a few months.
"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear