Hot & Steamy Accessory – Rockler Steam Bending Kit for Wood

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wood-bending-mainWood can be so damn straight! Oh sure, you can always grab a trusty jigsaw and a little sandpaper to make a few curves. But what if you’ve got a woodworking project so curvaceous it makes San Francisco’s Lombard Street look like the Interstate in Nevada? Our sponsor Rockler has just the thing for you, their Steam Bending Kit & Plan. What’s “the plan”, you ask? Well, the kit comes with everything you need to start steam bending wood, with the exception of a box to do it in. Oh, and the water. They don’t ship the water, which we think is a sound environmental decision. As to the missing box, that’s where “the plan” kicks in, giving you the blueprints to create your own wood bending steam box. But wait, there’s more!

If you’re a woodworker that’s always on the prowl for the next challenge to expand your technical chops, bending wood with steam might be just what you need. From curved boxes, boats, unique furniture, or just beautiful wood arches (my personal fave), harnessing the power of steam is a time-honored tradition in working with wood. Keep in mind, steam bending wood can’t do everything. If you’re hoping to make a strip of wood bend into an acute angle (I knew high school geometry would pay off big for me at some point!), wood bending probably isn’t a good bet. But if you like your wood angles more obtuse (I’m on a roll!), then Rockler’s Steam Bending Kit might be just the ticket.

wood-bending-wind
You too can make crazy curved projects by bending wood

Technical Details via Rockler
Makes it possible to give nearly any wood species enough plasticity to bend or curve to your liking. Use it to build unique chairs, toys, oval Shaker boxes, instruments, specialized molding, doors, handrails, and more. 5.3 quart reservoir with built-in heating element heats the inside of your steam box to 212°. Easy-access reservoir may be refilled during the steaming process for unlimited steam. 10′ long steam hose allows you to position your steam box in a safe position off the floor

wood-bending-kit-ingredients
What’s Included

  • One Steam Generator
  • One Steam Hose
  • One Brass Fitting
  • Two Hinges
  • One Latch/Clasp
  • One Plan for Building Your Own Steam Box

wood arches
Photo – Robert Horwath
Before you get rolling on your wood bending, steamy adventure, be sure to check out the reviews tab on Rockler’s site. You’ll find some very useful info and tips posted by reviewers of the Steam Bending Kit, and also the nice pic shown on the left. David Tilson’s review in particular is chock full of wood bending tips and tricks. Aside from this wet noodle testimonial and safety tip, “Having now used that little box with the 1500W heater to bend white oak like it was a wet noodle, I’ll say I’m a believer. BTW, if you’re not intimately familiar with the dangers involved in working with live steam, watch out or you’ll end up with severe burns!”, David shares a number of tips including using marine-grade ply for the box, sealing the inside of your steam chamber, and key accessories like the cherished meat thermometer.

For a quick primer on the joys of steam bending wood, you can also check out this Rockler vid:

Wood bending no longer has to be exclusively in the realm of the woodworking elite. Thanks to Rockler, just about anyone can start wood bending with the power of steam. Trust me, it’s a lot more convenient (and less wrinkle-inducing) than taking a really long, hot shower with your next woodworking project. The Rockler Steam Bending Kit (and plan for the steam box) will run you about $75, which is not bad for the power to literally bend mother nature’s raw materials to your whims. If you’re feeling the love for steam bending wood, you might also want to pick up a copy of Woodworker’s Guide to Bending Wood from Amazon. If you have had any wood bending experience or have tips and tricks of your own, please let us know in the comments below!

Photo of author

About Marc Lyman

Marc grew up under a brave single mom who "encouraged" home improvement on the family home. Early toddler gifts included a tool set, and even a cordless Bosch drill when cordless drills first came out. In grade school (give or take a few years), Marc's mom said, "We need to cut down some trees. . . . here's a chainsaw." A father figure also involved Marc in many home improvement projects, including a summer of home remodeling in Palo Alto, CA. Toss in some Obsessive Compulsive personality traits researching everything home improvement related. The end result: a genetically pre-disposed, socially sculpted home improvement machine! For his complete profile, please visit our About page. Really, it's worth it.

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1 thought on “Hot & Steamy Accessory – Rockler Steam Bending Kit for Wood”

  1. The endless jokes that I could come up with.

    But seriously, I have yet to see any steamer on the non-commercial grade market truly work and those that are commercial grade are usually into 4 figure price tags.

    I actually had been considering one of those steam cleaners for the bathroom but when I started to truly investigate I found that they were weak at best and usually just dripped water everywhere.

    I realize these aren’t identical but they are close. A chamber where steam is generated connected to a tube and an outlet. The commercial grade steamers are using cast iron if I recall correctly and this is using plastic?

    I would watch the reviews for a while before I would be a buyer.

    Reply

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