From: Rick_Rubio@pci-main.ccmail.compuserve.com
Date: 04 Mar 97 21:12:05 EST
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Subject:
Russell wrote:
>
> Im gathering my materials to build the boat but now I need some
> information about building and using a "steam box" in order to bend
> the ribs..I've got Wolfgang Brinck's book and have looked at the
> picture and possible bending jig, but what I'd like are som
> commentaries from other people that have done this...keep in mind
> that I'm a novice (meaning NEVER built a boat before) builder...I've
> some ideas but several heads are better than
one....thanks....Russell
For steaming ribs, the cheapest and easiest method is to use a 3' long
piece of stovepipe standing upright in a pot of boiling water. Stick
the rib material inside the stove pipe, with one end in the water.
Cover the top of the stovepipe with some rags, and there you go.
"Stovepipe" is actually made of sheet metal, and available at Home
Depot or other hardware and building supply store. The only drawback
to this method is that one end of the rib stock may discolor from the
boiling water.
Here's the method I used for steaming longer pieces, such as coaming
rims: get a section of 8 or 9" diameter flexible ducting and stretch
it to its maximum length, about six feet. Support the six-foot long
duct in a horizontal position and bend one end to a 90-degree angle,
pointing down. This right-angle end will face into a large stock pot
of boiling water. Make a flange out of plywood to provide a good fit
between the duct and the pot of water. Wrap an old blanket around the
horizontal part of the ducting to keep the heat in, and drape some
rags over the open end. Place some wood spacers inside the ducting to
keep the bending stock off the bottom. The flexible ducting is made
of aluminum, comes compressed like an accordion in three foot sections
and stretches to about six feet. It is available from the same
sources as above. I found this method to work much better than the
first, for three reasons: 1) the flange allows you to capture more
steam, 3) the insulation makes for higher temperatures and 3) no
discoloration. When you're done with the project, you're not faced
with having to store a large steam box. Just take the aluminum duct
to a recycling center.
Enjoy.
Rick Rubio
Orange, CA