Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Dec 07, 2009 03:21am | #1

    I just use any exterior fir ply for a steam box, unfinished inside and screwed together with SS deck screws.I have used 8" plastic watermain pipe hooked up to a 45 gallon oil drum as a boiler for steam bending boat boards.It does not need to be fancy to work.

2. 
   danmart | Dec 07, 2009 04:17am | #2

   Dr M

   What do you plan to steam? How long?

   PVC setups work well. Easy to store when not in use.

   dan

3. 
   mike4244 | Dec 07, 2009 05:56am | #3

   Screw 8" centers with 1-3/4" screws ,don't bother with glue.The seam will swell up and stop leaking.I used a cypress plank for a steambox.Also depending on the size of the stock ,a length of pipe will do.Plug bottom end with a 1/4" hole at the bottom for condensation to drip out.Elevate the other end slightly so water will travel downhill to the hole .I turned the ID of the cap smaller so it would push on easier.You could sand the pipe end instead.This way you don't have to fiddle with the cap when you want to check on the stock.

   mike

4. 
   MikeHennessy | Dec 07, 2009 03:57pm | #4

   Tho' you don't need glue, if you want to use it anyway, this is one place where Gorilla glue excells. Swells to seal the joint and is waterproof to boot.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA
   Everything fits, until you put glue on it.

5. 
   TomHigby | Dec 13, 2009 03:41am | #5

   Why try to seal the box.  There has to be an exit for the steam, else it explodes..  You'd have a hard time sealing it that well!  I've used a PVC pipe for steam-box--cheap easy to put up.  A long one may need support to keep from sagging.

   Tom Higby

1. 
   drmidnight | Dec 13, 2009 10:04pm | #6

   Thanks to all who offered suggestions on the construction of a steam box. In response to some questions:
   a PVC pipe is not wide enough for my present purposes, although I have used a PVC pipe for steaming Windsor chair parts.
   My rationale for sealing the seams in the box is that the less steam lost from the box, the easier to reach and maintain the necessary temperature (of course, a PVC pipe is completely sealed except for the ends).
   I of course am including a drain hole for water and excess steam. No explosion is going to occur.

   My idea of sealing the plywood with polyurethane is a non-starter. The manufacturer says it will not withstand the high temperature.Thanks again for the input.