Nick’s Debrief on Steam Bending
What is Steam Bending?
Steam bending is the process of softening wood with steam in a box until it becomes pliable enough to bend.
Basically, the wood being bent is placed in the steam bender box for a certain period of time depending on thickness and width. It’s then pulled out quickly and placed straight in the mould it’s being shaped, to form its new shape.
When the wood cools, the wood holds the bent shape.
When it comes to steam bending, what do you think is important to know?
Steam bending is not suitable for all timber species. Soft timbers are most suited to steam bending. Nick has recently been steam-bending American Walnut Timber. Its soft qualities make it suitable for bending.
It’s a lot easier to steam bend timber free from natural imperfections like wood knots. If imperfections are apparent, the wood is more likely to crack and split around the wood knots when the wood is hot.
What kind of furniture is most commonly made when steam bending?
Seeing the Will Brennan Designs workshop make custom-made furniture, our steam bending projects are somewhat endless and unknown as at the end of the day, it will depend on what the client would like us to create.
However, steam bending is most commonly used for making chairs, handrails, timber sculptures and decorative pieces like specially designed light stands.
How long does the wood need to sit in the steamer?
The wood needs to be exposed to steam for at least one hour for every 25mm of thickness - although, Nick explains more time spent in the steamer is better. We run test pieces of wood for every project, as the moisture levels of the stock can affect the time needed in the steamer.
Once bent, how long does it take for the wood to then cool and set?
After you’ve clamped it to the mould, it is recommended to leave the wood in the mould for at least 24 hours.
Advantages of steam bending…
There are a variety of techniques used to bend wood. For example, our workshop has used kerf cutting before.
Description: Kerf bending on the right-hand side of the bookshelf.
The advantages of steam bending are…
Complex curves are easy to achieve
Steam-bent wood retains its shape indefinitely
Wood grains run continuously from end to end
It’s an introduction of a new shape not normally aligned with timber
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