Steam Bending the Sheer Clamps

[Hooky]

Due to the bend required for the sheer clamps and the timber I'm using (Queensland Hoop Pine) which for a softwood is quite dense and heavy I thought I would set up a steaming station.
I previously found the Queensland Hoop Pine does tend to split when pulled into a bend.
I set up a steaming system using the plastic tubing from an old garden blower and an electric jug.

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The pipe had a ninety degree turn at the top end which was perfect to flow the steam into the pipe. I inserted the sheer clamp into the pipe which I placed on sawhorses and angled it so the water would run into a bucket. After some trials I tweaked the system by insulating the plastic pipe by wrapping it with towels and swapped the electric kettle for a saucepan on top of a gas camping stove.
After 30 mins in the steaming station I removed the timber and clamped in place overnight. The next day I removed the timber, and it maintained a nice curve......success.
I have documented the complete process with pics on my blog (July 2023 Post) .... check it out.
Cheers Terry from down under
https://hookypocketship.blogspot.com

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I did almost exactly the same thing when making my boat:

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The boiler was a paint can, and the pipe was something the hardware store had, for hot tub plumbing.
It was angled upwards so that condensed water would run back into the boiler.

BTW, PVC pipe can't quite take boiling temperatures - it gets quite soft.

Later I used the same setup to bend the 6 rub rail pieces.