Double Bass steam?

[Matthew Tucker]

Any makers using steam for bending ribs and linings?

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

Of course. You dampen the wood and then massage it against a hot bender. Steam results, mostly inside the wood, helping it become temporarily flexible. But I think you meant something else...

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Yes I was thinking of steam chambers such as are used for bent furniture etc. Was that a silly thought? You're going to tell me that I spent all that time and money getting the wood nice and dry and now I'm thinking about saturating it with steam?

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

I'm pretty sure it would work ok. Once the piece is steamed, you'll have to bend and clamp it to a mold until dry and cool. You will probably get some bend-back, though. Have no worries about moisture content. Material as thin as bass ribs will dry in a matter of hours. An alternative method to your steam box is the use of silicone heating blankets on a mold. The blankets heat up and make the wood flexible; then the pieces are clamped to the mold/blanket, and the heat turned off. Many guitar makers and a few bass makers employ this method, which is extremely accurate.