Steam Bending Wood in a Microwave

[gregoryscottsr]

I watch a guy do this with long pieces of oak in a wood box he built. He was also a boat builder.

[queenniedelrosario17]

all types of wood can be microwaved and bent right? :)

[icearnett]

He doesnt have to say anything... There are alot of videos that should be shot in this manner now that I think aboout it.

[rockexpert]

thank you so much

[monacoguitar]

Would have liked to seen the amount of springback after releasing the clamps when the pieces are dry.

[eyeinhand2003]

@monacoguitar Ah, sure. In this case there was very little - maybe 5% - but I left them in the forms until completely dry. Also, they were only out of the forms a short time before they were glued and screwed in place. The pieces that didn't get used eventually lost about 15% of their bend.

[redoleary]

Hey, good video. Wonder if you could have worn a rattier pair of pants. Prolly not. Men!

[jfan4reva]

@redoleary They were prolly nice pants before he started wearing them in the shop - LOL!

[Rannyfash]

ha, your woods bent

[eyeinhand2003]

Cool, so did you make your drum rims?

[budnotu]

How about saying something.

[straubio]

this is a fantastically helpful video. thank you so much. i've been trying to find a way to build wooden rims that wouldn't crack for my drumset toms and your technique has been by far the most helpful.

[perazaroberto2]

good



[eyeinhand2003]

Not sure exactly what you mean by horizontally, or how much bend, but bending wood so thin in one direction will be very easy, and the other nearly impossible beyond a few degrees. Musical instrument makers use something they call a bending iron. If you search on that term you will find several examples of homemade versions here on Youtube, using a cheap heat gun.You can't post links in these comments, so you'll have to search it. Good luck.

[eyeinhand2003]

Thanks. Love the egg turning video, btw - similar in spirit to microwaving wood.

[firicescu2002]

I'm very thankfull for this video... It inspires me.. Congratulations for your projects. You look very dedicated to your work, and I respect that alot

[firicescu2002]

I'm very thankfull forthis video... It inspires me.. Congratulations for your projects. You look very dedicated to your work, and I respect that alot

[MrLeonard55]

Cool bending jig.

[demondemi42]

ok thanks.

[demondemi42]

hi, please reply, im making a little skateboard about 3 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. the thickness is 1/16th of an inch. if i was to bend just the edges 1/2 of an inch from the end of the board, how would i do that without cracking it.

[eyeinhand2003]

@demondemi42

For something that small and thin, I would use a heat gun or a clothes iron, and apply steady, gentle pressure. Just soak it for about an hour first. Start out with a longer piece, set your bends, then cut off the excess once it dries. People who build guitars and violins bend thin wood like that all day long, and just use a hot, smooth "bending iron".

[eyeinhand2003]

This guy made one with a heat gun and some pipe. See the video response.

[eyeinhand2003]

I can't figure out how to link to another video in this comment, but a guy made a bending iron with heat gun and some pipe. You wouldn't need to make something for just one piece, but you'll get the idea. Search on

bending iron philochristos

[eccsxt]

@demondemi42 I know a couple people who make skateboard decks. Both of them use the method of laminating many layers together in a mold and then use a vacuum press.

[demondemi42]

@eccsxt laminate? like laminating paper?

[eccsxt]

@demondemi42 gluing wood veneers together.

[jvcrules]

i have the same oil heater as you :)

[daddycavefish]

how long do you soak the wood in water

[eyeinhand2003]

@daddycavefish

For pieces this size, two days would be enough. I got delayed, and these were in water for 3 to 4.