OldTools Archive
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269161 | Matthew Groves <grovesthegrey@g...> | 2019‑09‑07 | Simple steam-bending ideas |
Hey gang, I’m in charge of the next “fun day” for our 12 person staff team. Last time I was at the helm, we mixed and stuffed bratwurst. Yummy! This time I’m trying to do something similarly “hands based”. I don’t really want to bring everyone to the forge. I think spoon carving would not give that spark of “I did it!” that I’m looking for from the participants. So I’d like to do a little steam bending instead. Other than “cane” or “back scratcher”, what are some relatively easy projects? I will have one or two shave horses available, and tools to use. Any ideas? Matthew Groves Springfield, MO |
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269162 | Erik Levin | 2019‑09‑07 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Matthew asked: > Other than “cane” or “back scratcher”, what are some relatively > easy projects? I will have one or two shave horses available, and tools to use. Keeping in mind that my stem bending experience has not been in the easy category, nor in the done right the first (or second, or often third or fourth) time category, so my easy-omiter may not match other peoples... Winter is coming: sled runners? (did this in high school wood shop) Legs for a small side table (round top, three arched legs fit to meet at the center of the arch and spread at the top.... THis was a not-uncommon style when I was but a youth. Never made one). Artsy bending, like trivets (a ring, or better yet, a spiral. Made a bunch of these a few years ago for practice when I was bending cove to trim out stairs in my house. The bottom step has a full curtail (??? the end that sticks out to the side and is a half circle on a bottom step) and I couldn't find the right size stair cove preform). Artsy bending like a helical coil or similar. Coat hooks (wall mount would be pretty straightforward, and doing a coat-and-hat can be done several ways that I have seen, in one or two parts) This is all off the top of my head. *** This message was sent from a convenience email service, and the reply address(es) may not match the originating address |
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269163 | Kirk Eppler | 2019‑09‑07 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Shaker boxes! Maker 2 or 3 sizes available, and do the pre-work in some of the wood projects? Or maybe trays to cut the work in half.... On Sat, Sep 7, 2019, 11:33 AM Matthew Groves |
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269164 | Ed Minch <ruby1638@a...> | 2019‑09‑07 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
You could build a boat and steam the planks - maybe a bit ambitious. Or maybe a guitar - also ambitious Ed Minch |
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269165 | Matthew Groves <grovesthegrey@g...> | 2019‑09‑07 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Y’all are hilarious! Twelve people and three hours. I have a high priority of everyone leaving with a completed something. This rules out: Boats Guitars Hall trees And probably shaker boxes Keep me flowing. I appreciate it! Matthew Groves Springfield, MO |
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269166 | Erik Levin | 2019‑09‑08 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Coat hooks don't necessarily connote hall trees. A simple J shape is the basic form, with two holes for screws to attach to the wall. More interesting is a pair of J shapes, one longer, the other shorter, with matching holes to make a coat-and-hat. Then one gets fancy, with a single piece J shape with a kick out at the top, for a coat and hat. All require a form board, but are simple. Trivets can be as simple as a ring of 1/8 to 1/4 thick by 1/2 to 1" wide bent into a ring and tacked, glued, or wired where the ends cross. 6" to 8" diameter serve a number of purposes (I have a a ring about 7" fia, 1/2 high for 1/4 by 1/2" oak on my counter by the stove. It is sized for my favourite cast iron skillet) More work is a spiral form. Wind the wood around a mandrel several times and strap it in place. When released, the relieved tension will give a nice spiral. You need to experiment to find the core for the mandrel and the appropriate number of turns to get the desired finish size. *** This message was sent from a convenience email service, and the reply address(es) may not match the originating address |
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269167 | Bill Ghio | 2019‑09‑08 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Or maybe trays to cut the work in half.... > Trays was my thot. SWMBO asked for one a few years ago and is quite pleased with it. I used Tiger Maple for the band and Cherry for the tray part. The contrast is wonderful. Be careful with the size tho, the Cherry moves like mad and ours creates summer time gaps. If you use ply for the tray you have a lot more flexibility on size. Or, how about a set of coasters? Bill |
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269168 | Gmail <shadowd@g...> | 2019‑09‑08 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Perhaps coat hangers? Wood Bent to a mustache shape, ends held together with a dowel across and screws through the end. (Wedged tenons for the adventuresome) Hooks being pre-bent from an appropriate gauge of wire...or perhaps being bent while waiting on the steam bent items to cure ? |
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269176 | Michael Suwczinsky <nicknaylo@g...> | 2019‑09‑10 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Love the j hook idea! You’ll need forms and clamps galore. I’d keep a pot of boiling water on hand in case the steam doesn’t do the trick. Certainly worth a run through or two to work out the bugs. Michael > |
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269177 | Greg Isola <gregorywisola@g...> | 2019‑09‑10 | Re: Simple steam-bending ideas |
Building on this line of thought... think about bending lots of narrow strips into J shapes, and then gluing 3-4 together to get a robust, finished hook. Thin strips are pretty easy (and fast) to bend. You can dip them in hot water as you go, if need be, and you can tape/clamp them over a big piece of PVC pipe to dry. Then glue a few together (use tape instead of clamps for this), and go to lunch. Come back in an hour or so, and then spokeshave or whittle them to final shape (softening the edges, etc.). Final step is drilling the hang holes and taking the obligatory group photo! Just a few quick thoughts, based on some fun and relatively successful Shaker box making adventures and bending a guitar side or three. Greg Isola Alameda, CA On Mon, Sep 9, 2019 at 6:06 PM Michael Suwczinsky |
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