Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
How long for steambent parts to cure?
Dave Mount, northeastern MN
>I steambent some oak chair posts (roughly 1-3/8 rounds) when they were dead green. They've been drying in my shop (partially dehumidified). How long do I need to leave them on the forms before they can finish drying without losing their shape? I have more to bend and I'd rather re-use the forms than make more.
Thanks.
Dave
Re: How long for steambent parts to cure?
Jesper, Denmark
>At least several hours. In the boatshop, deck beams and the like are typically left in the form overnight.
You should still expect some spring-back.
Re: How long for steambent parts to cure?
Bob Hackett
>Lee Valley has quite an extensive set of steambending instructions available on thier website.
If the wood was just riven from a freshly cut tree then it isn`t so much drying from the steambending as it is having the wood dry to EMC.We generally let steam bent planks sit for 1 or 2 days after bending,but we`re talking 4" thick planks now.
Mainely,Bob
Re: How long for steambent parts to cure?
Larry Barrett - in Maryland
>Dave - My expereience bending red oak for chair back posts is that a few days are sufficient, with little or no springback. If you have a pair of posts on a form (ala Drew Langsner or John Alexander) and the tops are held with a string looped several times, then you are done when the string becomes loose.
Re: How long for steambent parts to cure?
Dave Mount, northeastern MN
>Those are the exact legs and forms they are in. They've been in the forms for three weeks, so I guess there's no problem removing them.
Thanks to all,
Dave