Stem work

[Chris Aman]

Hello, my name is Chris Aman. I am restoring a 1941 Old Town Yankee, (serial number 132694) that was given to me by my brother. I want to steam bend 2 replacement pieces out of quarter sawn ash for the stems. I also have some 100+ year old chestnut, but it looks like the original wood is ash. I have a steambox and a bending form, along with a piece of galvanized metal (a piece of roofing drip edge). The lengths of the pieces are about 16½". How long should the steamed pieces be so I may apply sufficient pressure, without breaking them. Should I just place the wood in the form with the drip edge positioned on the outside edge of the steamed ash? Second, if they're up to 1" thick, how long do they need to be steamed?

 

[Nick Dennis]

Chris. Have a look here http://forums.wcha.org/index.php?threads/1911-aa-old-town-charles-river.17254/page-2

This is what I did n my OT Charles River

I steamed mine for an hour the worked quickly and smoothly using a metal band on the outside of the curve.

good luck; be brave but take your time and wear gloves as steam is hot!!

Nick