Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Mar 19, 2003 06:36pm | #1

   Bill, ash bends very easily and you could probably get by with just soaking the strips in hot water for an hour or so. The parts are so small you can afford a moderately high failure rate...even if it's 50%, it won't put you in the poorhouse. The way I bend my dulcimer sides is I soak them over night, then refill the tray with hot water about 30 minutes before I plan to put the sides in the bending jig. I only use a steam tube when I have to bend stock that is over 1/4" thick, or when the bend is very tight. I don't use it on dulcimer sides, first, because it isn't necessary, but more importantly steaming dulls the color of some of the woods I use. With ash, the color issue wouldn't matter much. 

   If you're going to make a production run of many of these items, or plan to keep making them for years to come, you might want to set up a steam tube. They're easy to make. All you need is a length of 4" PVC, two end caps, a length of soft copper tube, a cheap kettle and a hot plate. If you decide to experiment with steaming, I think you'll discover that it will broaden you horizon on design options for all sorts of projects. If you want some tips on constructing a steam tube, e-mail me...But on this particular project, I really don't think it's a necessity. 

1. 
   Bill5507 | Mar 19, 2003 06:46pm | #2

   Thanks Jon,

   You're right, now that I've been working on this little project my mind has started to wonder and think about incorporating bending in my designs.

   How do make the connection of the copper tubing to the kettle?  Do you sweat a transition fitting in between?

   Thanks again,

   Bill

1. 
   jonsherryl | Mar 19, 2003 10:49pm | #3

   Bill, I'm sure there is a more sophisticated way, but I just drilled a tight fitting hole in the flip lid of a cheap kettle and then sealed it with plumber's calk. An old bootlegger's trick is to simply use a flour paste. There is no pressure on the seal, because the steam escapes up the tube. Helps if you duct tape the lid down. Just be sure there's a vent hole at the low end of the PVC steam chamber...This really doesn't have to be a high tech operation.