here are the few steps I use to speed the drying process for staves. I use a cheap hot plate, old pot, two jack stands and a steam tube. (http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/dvshunter/CIMG0149.jpg)
after I get ready to boil the water I use the adjustable jack stands to put the feed tube right above the water level. I try to keep it up about a half inch. This helps the steam draw through the tube. (http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/dvshunter/CIMG0152-2.jpg)
This about the height we are looking for. (http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/dvshunter/CIMG0153-3.jpg)
That's about it. I leave the bows in there for about two hours before taking them out. I sometimes put some reflex in at this point, but most of the time I just wait for them to dry and then use my heat gun. Happy steaming!
Next to the gizmo that is the simplest think I have seen on this site. Thanks
Can you please tell me more about the steam tube? Are the ends closed off? Is there some sort of release vent / valve on it? Is there some sort of rack inside of the tube to support the materials?
there is nothing fancy anout it. I had a friend whip it up out of a piece of 6in. metal heating duct 8 ft. Long. Then I wrapped it in insulation to help it kep heat. I closed off one end and made a flap style cover on the other. Then poked holes in the sealed end to allow air movement. The bows just slide into the tube and sit in he bottom. Very basic but it works well.
Nice David! That is pretty simple. Do you cap the ends of your steam tube?
Thanks for taking the time to do this bud.
Stiks
Guess I got ahead of my self, looks like my question was already answered.
id just poke a hole in the ends , and feed yourself some monofilament , that way you have an "adjustable rack" ....
a+ on simplicity.
-hov
Boy that is what I need. I got a twisted Osage stave from a guy at Mojam that thinks I should make a bow out of it. Thanks for sharing. Dean