(Not sure that this is exactly Neanderthal Heaven material but you've never steered me wrong before)

I made a series of bentwood rings years ago. Bought a small box full of a variety of hardwood veneers, steamed them up in several ways, rolled em up, glued em up (using CA), sanded, and loved them.
Those early rings looked great and mostly held up well.

Then something changed.
Not sure if the box of hardwood veneers have dried out too much? Or living at 9k feet doesn't allow me to properly heat the wood (I've used several ways, including a steam cooker) but I can't get them to lay up as easily as before.
We're I to make 5 rings, maybe one would get to a place of completion. THe rest split during initial wraps or have gaps that create weaknesses.

I also used Veneer Tamer (might be great for some projects, can't say it's done much for my work)

Any thoughts on what I can do that might improve my luck? I'd be home free if the steamed wood could easily wrap without splitting/breaking/failing.

Thanks.
-PD