Steaming Wood Planks

[Sammy Boy]

Hello All, I am new to this forum.

I just bought (well last year) a 1958 Chris Craft Constellation Cruiser, 28'.

I need to replace some wood planks, and some need bending. I need to steam them somehow. Does anyone have any helpful tips.

Thanks
Scott

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steaming Wood Planks

Welcome to iboats, fantastic project.


http://www.google.com/search?q=wood...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[seven up]

Re: Steaming Wood Planks

Hello Scott.

Is the bottom double planked ?

Steaming planks ?
Sure. A couple of ideas.

Different woods have varied properties when it comes to bending.

1. You can steam planks by building a box to accomodate the size of the planks with interior racks to suspend your planks. Set this up with a hole say in the center of the bottom or two spaced apart. Build or buy a duct that will be long enough and the size to slip over the top edge of your water boiling container. Then elevate the steam box on blocks so the heat source and boiling container fit well.

2. Have a flat surface ready where you can block up the end or ends of the planks with a clamp or clamps adjusted to the curvature required. Let dry.

Was that any help ?




Enjoy

 

[Sammy Boy]

Re: Steaming Wood Planks

great help from both of you. I never thought of using ductwork for a steam box.

thanks

 

[oops!]

Re: Steaming Wood Planks

years ago my uncle built a wooden boat and glassed it.

he just kept putting wet towels on the wood till it conformed to the curve. kept bending it ever so slightly till it got to the curvature needed.....its old school....but it worked

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Steaming Wood Planks

Sam Rabbel's "Boat Building in Your Own Backyard" has a good illustrated section on steam bending. I have used an eight inch pipe suspended at an angle with a fire underneathe the lowerr end. Filled it full of water and after it was boiling put the planks in. One hour per inch of cross section of the planks. Every clamp known to mankind to hold the plank until it cooled. Good friends with a sense of humor, beer and pizza afterwards and the job was easy!

 

[faller]

Re: Steaming Wood Planks

I saw a felow do it with a piece of 18" culvert and a steam cleaner. I don't suppose much of a description of how that was accomplished is needed.