Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association

Wildwoody1 wrote:The Builder I watched the most fitted Ribs inside Hull before it was released from Forms. Some Ribs were "Boiled" in certain Ship Yards.

Graeme I'll be keeping the ribs framed up in shape till they are fitted.

Craig what are you using to generate the steam?.
you need lots of hot wet steam to make the ribs do what you want them to do.
the rule of thumb in an hour per inch of thickness i found that it really needed 3 hours of constant steaming.
when it has steamed enough it will become like rubber but you only have a very short time to work with them before they go hard again.
i used a 60 litre drum with a fire under it to get sufficient steam to dp the job.
i used pvc with dowels through it but had it supported over its length. it was only to bend 8 pieces so was a disposable unit..
also make sure your ribs are clear grained and dont have any knots or shakes in them.
you are doing well keep up the good work

retroboat wrote:Craig what are you using to generate the steam?.
you need lots of hot wet steam to make the ribs do what you want them to do.
the rule of thumb in an hour per inch of thickness i found that it really needed 3 hours of constant steaming.
when it has steamed enough it will become like rubber but you only have a very short time to work with them before they go hard again.
i used a 60 litre drum with a fire under it to get sufficient steam to dp the job.
i used pvc with dowels through it but had it supported over its length. it was only to bend 8 pieces so was a disposable unit..
also make sure your ribs are clear grained and dont have any knots or shakes in them.
you are doing well keep up the good work

Thanks Nathan. I am using a urn (bypassed the thermostat) and it works well. I can manage a consistent 95 degrees from one end of the steamer to the other. I did use mild steel rods to support the timber but it was a fail as the carbon leached out of the steel and stained the wood samples. I'm also thinking of soaking the wood for a day prior to help. I have read using an amount of ammonia in the steamer helps to change the hydrocarbon properties of the lignum (releases the bond). Apparently the lignum goes back to its normal state once dried.
I only have to make up the compression strap and trim the form and I'm ready to go.

Well it was a bad day yesterday. I started on the new keel section and spent a lot of time reconfirming my work before cutting. After doing the scarf and the initial cut for the rebate I discovered the bevel angle on the rebate was going the opposite angle to what is needed. This was even after checking and marking. As much as I try to concentrate hard, I still managed to stuff it. This neck and back pain is really frustrating. I did swear quite a lot then walked out of the shed in total disgust with myself.
Anyway I spent today at the boat club (Glenmaggie) on a working bee which was a good distraction.
Tomorrow I will make another start on the last bit of timber I have left to do it right. Fingers crossed.

Don't beat yourself up too much mate ... we've all done it, maybe in different ways.
Thanks Bob. I'm trying and it's trying.

That's better.

Also Finished the compression strap for the steam bending.

Nice to have a win. They bent like putty.

Looking good there Craig. I admire your persistence.

Thanks Bob. I'm off and running now.

You've got it nailed. Well done.