The Dark Art of Steam Bending Wood...
- John Madden
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
I have some experience bending wood. Mostly limited to thin strip laminations wrapped cold around moulds and glued using either epoxy or yellow glue. I feel I have had some successful pieces, probably because I have good knowledge of templating and mould making which is at the heart of this process. However laminating has its downsides. A lot of good material is turned into saw dust when creating the lamination strips. It requires a lot of glue. And the process can be very messy requiring a lot of clean up to realise the piece. Surely there is a better way? Obviously there is.
To take my work forward I need to learn steam bending. It's more economical than laminating, cleaner and seems fun to do. So over the years I've had a few cracks at the process and here is what I have learned:
I know how to spend half a day building a PVC steam bending setup and watch it melt and go to shit within 30 minutes of heating it up
I know how to spend a full day building a plywood steam bending box but can’t seem to maintain enough steam to bend anything thicker than a lead pencil
I know how to take about $50 worth of US Oak strips and snap two in every three pieces
I also know that if I want to bend wood without it constantly splintering, then I should only use timbers that have NOT been kiln dried and probably invest in backing strap setup.
I think I need a bit of guidance.
Generally, developing woodworking skills comes through practice and a willingness to make mistakes. Take learning how to use hand planes for example. If you want to learn to use planes, start by selling your jointer. Then use that money to buy the best hand plane you can afford and just start planing wood over and over reflecting on the results as you go, you will soon get the hang of it.
Steam bending wood however is far more nuanced. Humans conquered steel many eons ago and so have this ally in the eternal crusade against the grain. But steam bending wood, this is nothing short of witchcraft. Those who bend wood know how to manipulate the primal elements of fire and water weaving their magic to create forms that break the laws of nature. These are a different kind of maker… one who dwells outside civilised society there in the chaotic realms of anarchy!
Fairy stories. Steam bending wood is a pretty common practice. Boatbuilders use it. Chairmakers and the like. It’s applied in commercial furniture manufacturing particularly in Europe. Maybe it's just me with the steam bending disability? No. What I’m saying is that steam bending wood is a common practice that can be mastered like any other woodworking process through practice and having the right gear and knowledge. However, steam bending is not a ‘stocked’ product sold by the retailers, you can’t just get online and pick one up. It's more of an experimental DIY setup kit that requires a bit of guidance to get started.
Enter stage left Ross Annels. Ross is an artist and master craftsperson who is an expert at steam bending. If you have met Ross, and you are a Harry Potter fan, you may agree that he looks a little like Rubeus Hagrid. And though Hagrid wasn’t officially a witch, he was no doubt familiar with the dark arts. So too Ross has deep knowledge of the craft and uses it to bend and manipulate wood with relative ease. Ross has used steam bending wood extensively in his work over the years applying to a range of pieces in particular seating.
The good news is that Ross is leading two of steam bending workshops this coming weekend in Coburg. On day one Saturday December 13, Ross is showing the group how to build a professional quality steam box. And on Sunday December 14, we will fire up that steam box and take the group through a series of wood benching challenges. All the info is online, take a look.
So if you are like me and need a little guidance to get started in stream wood bending then I encourage you to buy a ticket and come along. Maybe you will also break the laws of nature!
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