bob blakeborough
02-17-2014, 3:28 PM
Hi all,
A buddy of mine wants me to make a mirror frame for something he is doing for his girlfriend and it requires steam bending, which I have never attempted, but it seems like a great excuse to start! Please check out the pics of the kind of look he is going for and let me know if I am approaching it in an effective simple way...
282702282703
Basically I figure a capped wide piece of PVC pipe will serve well for a steam box and just a kettle for the steam supply. As a form I was simply going to trace the mirror on 3/4 plywood, cut out and stack a few, screwed together onto a larger surface, and then drill in some pegs around the form to help hold the steamed wood in place, as well as clamps, until it stiffens.
Now I am a bit perplexed on how to best approach the joint of the oval and keep it looking decent. Would a pre-cut lap joint on the very top be the way to go? For the wood I was thinking some ash I already have might be a good option...
Any thoughts to help a rookie steam bender?
A buddy of mine wants me to make a mirror frame for something he is doing for his girlfriend and it requires steam bending, which I have never attempted, but it seems like a great excuse to start! Please check out the pics of the kind of look he is going for and let me know if I am approaching it in an effective simple way...
282702282703
Basically I figure a capped wide piece of PVC pipe will serve well for a steam box and just a kettle for the steam supply. As a form I was simply going to trace the mirror on 3/4 plywood, cut out and stack a few, screwed together onto a larger surface, and then drill in some pegs around the form to help hold the steamed wood in place, as well as clamps, until it stiffens.
Now I am a bit perplexed on how to best approach the joint of the oval and keep it looking decent. Would a pre-cut lap joint on the very top be the way to go? For the wood I was thinking some ash I already have might be a good option...
Any thoughts to help a rookie steam bender?