Vol. 64, No. 4 winter 2019
364 there was some spring back. Surprising shapes can be made just by hand and with hot water. Twists, as
one fi nds in the garboards of some rowboats are a good example; in many cases twists up to 90 degrees or so might be required in addition to the more gentle bends planks assume as they follow the curve of the hull. (Figure 5)
Steam bending
Bending with steam can accelerate the process and I fi nd it is most useful with more extreme bends. An actual steam box is not necessary; I typically just use a low-cost steam iron (not the one your wife uses…go get your own!). I set mine to its highest heat setting, but I do not use the steam the iron makes. A bending form of some sort is usually required for this process. It can be made of scrap and usually does not need to be complicated. I fi rst wet the wood in hot water for
10. A double-curved ogee cover piece for the transition between two deck levels. T is part is 0.080-inch thick pear about 7/16-inch wide. Aſt er soaking in hot water, it was hand formed to its approximate fi nal shape, then clamped in between the pair of forms to dry.
(Figure 6) It may be necessary to re-wet your towel a time or two and go over things more than once. It is always advisable to leave your bending stock extra-long as pulling on the free end as the bend progresses will help the wood lay down properly on the form. When the bend is completed, remove the towel and tape or otherwise fasten down the free end to let the wood cool and fully dry. It will retain its shape without much spring back. Generally I fi nd it
9. 0.040-inch thick by 0.080-inch wide birch ribs bent over a form; the building plug for a small dinghy model. T e ribs were soaked in hot water for a minute or two, bonded to notches in the keel, pulled and bent over the outside of the plug, then bonded to the bottom of the plug.
a minute or two and place it on the form; it may be necessary to hold it in place with a narrow strip of tape. To provide the water for the steam itself I cover all this with a strip of wet bath towel or a heavy-duty shop towel that has been doubled over several times. T e blue Scott shop towels are best for this as they can be reused, but regular paper towels can be used in a pinch. Press the iron down on top of the form and slowly roll it along. T e water in the towel will fl ash to steam and the wood will soſt en and bend around the form, conforming to it as you go along.
11. Kerf bent deck supports. T e “teeth” usually are glued to the inside of the bend or, in this case, the hull. T ese are lumberyard pine, around ¼-inch square.
best, if there are holes to be cut in the part or if much shaping is needed to fi nish it, to do that aſt er the bending is complete. (Figures 7 & 8) It is much easier to bend a piece that has a uniform width rather than one that has been cut to fi nal shape to prevent hard spots where there are narrower sections.
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