Thread: A little progress

Downpipe plus a small urn romps in 1.5m of steaming!

Looking good so far Jacko!!

Now stop buggerizing around & get on with it!!! We are all waiting to see it finished!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by jacko

The top of the hall table now has breadboard ends, with ebony inserts. The apron has been steamed, bent and laminated. 12 mm blackwood bends very easily after only 30 mins in steamer!

Jacko,

Why did you need to steam bend and laminate the apron? Why not just laminate it, as Major did for his rose mahogany table?

Rocker

Probably could have in retrospect. However reclaimed blackwoood had some defects (called borer holes) and didn't want to stress any more than I must. Major P your'e right! However there have been some demmands on my time from the cariologist of late that have slowed me down, back up to speed now though and none the worse for the experience (au contraire!)
jacko

Keep up the good work Jacko,that blackwood will look specky when polished which i am keen to see............
Cheers.........Tasman

Can hardly wait to see this finished, Jacko.

A question about the steaming set-up: would it be better to put the outlet lower down than the inlet? Get a more even distribution of steam.

Obviously not a problem here, seems to have worked ok.

Did you have someone help you get the clamps on, or could you do it on your own in time? I've heard the wood gets stiff very quickly after removal from the steamer.

Interesting idea re steam outlet. However steam wants to rise, so keeps good speed over the wood surface. I think that this probably decreases the temperature profile leading to "better bending".
Did all clamping on my own. One trick is to trap one end under a strap, use the compression band to pull down, then use a quick grip clamp for the first one, work backwards to get the rest on quickly. I have had set-ups where two people were needed, can be very stressful when you start yelling at SWMBO to get that b*** clamp on!
However it does take some time to fully re-stiffen so need to keep under restraint for a day until it dries. A simple drying jig is all thats needed.
Jacko

You have joined the boards up very well and the timber has terrific figure . Ca'nt wait to see the finished table.
Peter

Originally Posted by jacko

Interesting idea re steam outlet.

just a question of efficiency I think. Increasing the time the steam is in contact with the wood would allow more heat transfer.

Did all clamping on my own.

Not bad for someone who can barely lift his cane

Sorry, no. 2 son just recognised your avatar:

http://www.mariomonsters.com/toadsworth/

Great job so far Jacko.

I only see one forthcomming problem. You'll have to make some chairs to match the bow in that center peice of wood. That would looks nice, a chair with a solid slat in the cneter with what shape Hummmm..

Love the stimer you made. Looks like mine he heheheh

Originally Posted by junkboy999

Love the stimer you made. Looks like mine he heheheh

lol junkboy. Is there a SWMBO involved here?

That's a pretty good setup Terry . Steam your wood and get dinner all at the same time

Peter

Doesnt SWMBO complain about the condensate that comes out the bottom???Like the artistic effect of all those different cans stacked up!
jacko

No SWMBO to complain about the mess and yes I was making Macroni and chees that night in the other pot.