Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Kip & Beth Gardner
Norm, I had really good luck using a 2 inch iron pipe with a plug onthe bottom and heating about 12 inches of water in the tube to boilingfor about 15 minutes. The strips bent very easy and stiffened up assoon as they cooled. My bending jig was cut out of a 4 by 4 as per theBPNews letter. No problems, no splitting and no rejects. I don't knowwhat you have planned for the ABS, but the secret appears to be hotwater. Good luck,-=Ian=-________________________________________________________________________________Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 21:38:50 -0400

Original Posted By: Larry Neal

Original Posted By: "Lou Larsen"
I steam my western red cedar for about 20 - 30 minutes , and it goes into the bendingjig easy, with gentle pressure.Kent Hallsten________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Norm Decou"
For what it worth, I just took a 5 gallon bucket full of water and stuck 2or 3 cap strips in it and let them soak. was doind a rib a day and when Itook one out I'd put another one in. So I guess they averaged a day or twoin the water.No problems; let them stay in the bending form for about a day, then stuckthem in the jig. My cap strips were 1/4 x 1/2 doug fir.I know a guy that built a Falco and he just tossed his sticks in theswimming pool. Its not a real hi-tech deal.Keep at it, its FUN!!Lou Larsen----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Ian Holland"
Living in a high humidity area (north Florida) I had no problems bendingcapstrips.A wood's moisture content is a function of ambient relative humidity.There's some good info available on this. Even a way to check moisturecontent using a Fluke digital multi-meter. E-mail me off list and I cansend anybody a copy if you want it.All I did was soak those things in the kiddie pool for about 30 mins. Ifigure this basically moistened the outer fibers. Dried them off and stuckem in a pre-bend jig overnight. Then put them in the jig the next day. Notthe first broken or cracked capstrip. I'm not sure this would work inArizona. Some of you that live in humid climates might want to at least tryit.Have a nice holiday all. Lets remember our veterans...Bert----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
I don't know about you guys but I prefer the simpler approach.I soak mine in an ABS tube that is filled with water up to about 36" forabout 25 minutes. I then "hung" it from one end with a 2" spring clamp onthe other end. As it dried it sagged to the right shape. Within 1 hour itwas dry and to the perfect shape. No special jigs or steamers required.Why fight it when you don't have to???DJ VeghMesa, AZGN-1/Piet hybridwww.raptoronline.comN74DV-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: clif
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: soaking capstripsHi,I soaked my cap strips for 30 minutes in hot water in a 3 foot length of ABC and they bent very well.Jim BoyerNX499JB________________________________________________________________________________Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 23:25:28 -0700