Plank bending

[Timothy Doe]

I saw a posting where someone said a good way to bend planks is to wrap them in damp paper towels and put them in the microwave. Has anyone tried this?

[James H]

Moving topic to correct area as posted in the 'Using this Forum' section .

[barkeater]

I have and it works however I feel that soaking and then bending works better. If you do it be careful to not come in contact with the steam. I did a piece of Bolivian Rosewood and let the steam hit my face. The next morning I woke up with what looked like poison ivy on my face.

[Maury S]

While I Dry heat most planks that need bending, I have used the microwave many times and it works fine.  Impurities in the water you use may discolor the wood in the process.  Water does nothing more than even out the heat distribution.  Make sure you let the wood dry over night to let the moisture content stabilize before gluing in place.

Maury

[russ]

I have had good results shaping the plank, soaking the plank in hot water, clamping in place on the hull, and then gluing it after it dries. This might take a little more time, but sometimes slow is good. 

 

Russ