Steam

peter blair

Member
Messages
42
Location
Ladner BC
I see that some of the bowl factories use steam to minimize the possibility of green turned bowls cracking. Has anyone tried this on a smaller scale? I was/am a boatbuilder and often used steam to bend wood but had not until now considered using it to prevent cracking. It would seem to me that steaming might just be easier than a lot of the other Protocols that I have tried but would sure like to garner any experience from any of you who may have already tried this method.
Pete
http://www.woodbowlsandthings.com
 
Steam box

After reading all the posts and information I plan to purchase a used or new Wall Paper Steamer and then to just build a simple box of Cedar. I think it would be best for me to just make one size that would fit the largest bowl I would turn green. I'll then fit something, I'm thinking of some half rounds of poly pipe, to the bottom to keep the bowl off the bottom and allow steam to go all the way around. Any one have any idea if I should steam for a longer or shorter time than I would boil?

Pete
http://www.woodbowlsandthings.com
 
Wouldn't that be the same effect you would get with wrapping a rough turned blank in pastic wrap and the microwaving it? I mean it would boil the moisture in the wood and with no place for it to escape it would have to give the effect of steaming it in a closed container ( more or less) :dunno: Anyone else have a thought on this?
 
I have 8 blanks in plastic wrap but no microwave. Over a month on 4 of them and no cracks. Im just using this for storage of blocks...not post turning.
 
Well I went ahead, bought a Wall Paper Steamer at Home Depot and am now steaming a small Japanese Plum bowl in my back yard.
img_0431.jpg

Lots more information and pictures on my web site if any of you are interested.

Pete
http://www.woodbowlsandthings.com
 
I steamed a bowl ounce sort of. I used a canner with a jar rack in it. I set the turning on the rack and 2 or 3 inches of water and put a weight on the lid. My observation is that it works as good as boiling. I think it needs a little pressure like a pressure canner.
I now use DNA and like it pretty well.:)
 
Interesting

I'm of a mind to stay away from anything that requires pressure. My steamer was supposed to steam for about 70 minutes but it has now been 2.5 hours. I will remove my small bowl and after it cools I will treat the outside with Anchor Seal.

Pete
http://www.woodbowlsandthings.com
 
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