Date: 18 Jan 96 03:05:51 EST
From: Matthew Smith <compuserve.com!72742.361@imagelan.com>
To: Baidarka group <baidarka@imagelan.com>
Subject: Re: Rib material?
Message-Id: <960118080550_72742.361_FHO30-1@CompuServe.COM>
TO: Larry Andrus
Larry, a really helpful thing to do when beading wood is to use a strap of some
type on the outside of the wood while bending. This helps limit/eliminate the
tendancy of outer fibers to seperate while bending into a curve. I have used
nylon webbing for this purpose. Bend the wood by pulling on the strap. Soaking
in water, submerged, for 2-3 days befor using steam helps also. White oak often
is more flexible then red oak or ash.
Matt Smith
p.s. I used green willow for my ribs, but I am building a strickly traditional
frame. Of course, even some of them split too while bending.