Steam bending

Alex Bennett-Ford

Steam bending

 

 

Steam bending is a woodworking technique where strips of wood are steam heated using a steam box which I have put an image of below. The heat and moisture being applied  makes the wood pliable enough to easily bend around a mould to create a specific shape, an example is producing for boats, violins and chairs. Steam bending is a traditional process step in history. It was once a vital method to the production of weapons, tools and water vessels such as boats during many wars. Due to the advance of technology the method has become less common in manufacturing. Steam bending is also a low energy method of manipulating wood. It doesn't need  drying time of glues to join together several wood pieces to make the desired shape. Steam bending also leaves lower levels of waste so can be beneficial towards the environment and not wasting material waste. Below is a jig for steam bending, they come in all different shapes and sizes due to how you want the wood to shape. After the wood has been through the steam bending process the wood is usually clamped firmly to jigs to take its shape, the length of time it takes depends on the thickness of the wood.

 

 

    Click on the link below to view the process of steam bending.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/free-form-steam-bending-technique.aspx