Steaming;- the results

[Graham_Wright]

Further to my request for advice on steaming teak, I have to report complete success.
Following the guidance offered, 20 minutes steaming with the wallpaper stripper in a four inch diameter (before,- after it was a bit oval!) plastic drainpipe, closed at the ends with foam pads (one left vented) and rapid action with the G-cramps made it easy. The addition of packing at the ends beyond the curve required compensated for the spring. I haven't calculated the radius but the chord was 850mm and the depth of chord 80. The material was 40 X 10mm.

Anyone contemplating something similar;- go for it, it's easy!

 

[doug748]

Always nice to have the feedback on this sort of project- Thanks.

 

[reeac]

[ QUOTE ]
Further to my request for advice on steaming teak, I have to report complete success.
Following the guidance offered, 20 minutes steaming with the wallpaper stripper in a four inch diameter (before,- after it was a bit oval!) plastic drainpipe, closed at the ends with foam pads (one left vented) and rapid action with the G-cramps made it easy. The addition of packing at the ends beyond the curve required compensated for the spring. I haven't calculated the radius but the chord was 850mm and the depth of chord 80. The material was 40 X 10mm.

Anyone contemplating something similar;- go for it, it's easy!

[/ QUOTE ]

My maths. makes that a radius of 1170 mm.. More importantly, it's a neat DIY way to steam wood.

 

[Drascomber]

It would be interesting to know how much the bent timber would return to straight if left. Beware steaming thicker material.

I steamed (for hours) some 1.25" square teak 1.5 metres long to go under the mainsheet horse track on a curved aft deck. It fitted OK then a few weeks later the cracks started to appear in the deck as the teak tried to straighten the deck out.

Made a laminated replacement from 5mm thick teak strips. No need to steam them. The resulting beam looked nice and strengthened the deck instead of trying to destroy it

 

[Graham_Wright]

The bent timber is to be attached to a hatch garage fascia that blends in with the coaming (Countess 33, centre cockpit). I still have to decide how to fix it but the first attempt will be with double sided sticky tape. Before you capsize with laughter, out of curiosity I stuck a piece on the transom 5 years ago (not in the water) and I can't remove it. Although it isn't under tension so not representative, I will see how it performs for the hatch trim. As this is only decorative, unless someone dies as it springs off, it is not critical if it detaches.