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slightly different steamer
By:mike allen --->
Date: 4/8/2001, 1:54 pm
In Response To: min. equipment to steam? (sage)

i use a steam method slightly different.

it consists of 1)a steam kettle(2nd hand),2) 3inches of stiff pvc 1 1/2in or 1 1/4 diam pvc tube jammed in the spout for the transition and 3)4ft or so of floppy, floppy pvc fabric flat 'tubing' abt 2 1/2in wide laid flat(5in circum -prob abt 1 1/2in diam),4)rag stuffed in end, 5) 3/4inch slit cut into fabric tube abt 1ft from steam kettle. {And I duct taped the tubes and kettle together- have to retape periodically}

I like this setup for many reasons. It weights virtually nothing more than the kettle w/ water. It takes up no more space than the kettle(fold up the fabric tube over top of kettle). Easy and quick to move around small shop to get out of way or bring into use where it want it.So then you can have it immediately adjacent the yak or the forms. Can steam curves. Can make curves (and twists - usually you're doing both anyway)WHILE steaming(the tube is just fabric and there fore flexible). Can slip strip end into the fabric tube slit, move along the strip and steam the LOCation you want in the middle of the strip as well as steam that location while the strip is in situ - you just have to leave 1/16in or so space to slide the fabrick out.

I haven't tried clamping it in place while the steam is going so dont know whether the tubing walls'd stand up to clamping pressure without breaking down. and you'd lose that clamped surface from the steam anyway. but a possibility.

I used it for 100's(maybe) of smaller strips and found I had a window of 1-3 seconds out of the steamer to get them in the forms or located. larger 3/4wide strips'll give you slightly longer but move fast fast fast. have to wear gloves.

-mick

Messages In This Thread

min. equipment to steam?
sage -- 4/8/2001, 3:07 am
Alternative to steaming
Paul G. Jacobson -- 4/10/2001, 12:36 am
Re: Alternative to steaming
John Monfoe -- 4/10/2001, 4:49 am
slightly different steamer
mike allen ---> -- 4/8/2001, 1:54 pm
Re: slightly different steamer
mike allen ---> -- 4/8/2001, 1:58 pm
additional point
mike allen ---> -- 4/8/2001, 2:24 pm
maybe i made a mistake
mike allen ---> -- 4/8/2001, 3:05 pm
Re: min. equipment to steam?
bob -- 4/8/2001, 9:32 am
Re: min. equipment to steam?
Rehd -- 4/8/2001, 10:59 am
Re: Micro Steaming *Pic*
Rehd -- 4/10/2001, 12:43 pm
Re: min. equipment to steam?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 4/8/2001, 9:22 am
Re: min. equipment to steam?
Arthur -- 4/8/2001, 6:23 am
Re: min. equipment to steam?
James Neely -- 4/8/2001, 7:59 am
Re: min. equipment to steam?
Dick Gamble -- 4/8/2001, 5:13 am