Technique for sharp plank bends - Chuck's method, Lady Nelson

[Pitts2112]

First time modeler trying to use Chuck's plank bending method on the Lady Nelson.  My question is what's the technique for getting the sharp bend required on the last couple of inches of the plank to get around the first rib and into the bow?  I'm getting the bend on the rest of the plank OK, but I've broken 3 of them trying to get that last bit in.  I think that if I don't get the bend sharp enough then CA glue isn't going to be strong enough to hold the end of the plank in place.

 

Any tips will be greatly appreciated!

[CiscoH]

can you post a picture of what youre trying to do?  that would get you better answers

[paul ron]

soak the planks overnight or steam them till they flex like spaghetti.

 

 

[vossiewulf]

If wood is breaking before making the bend, it's not hot enough. Bending wood is a matter of getting it hot enough that lignin plasticizes and it doesn't really matter which way you get it hot, you just need to get it to that temperature.

 

Steaming is good because it gets the wood uniformly up to boiling temp, but you can use an iron or a heat gun.

[Gregory]

I would like to se a picture of the bend referred to. 

I'm trying to imagine a "sharp" bend at the bow of Lady Nelson.

[vossiewulf]

7 hours ago, Gregory said:

I'm trying to imagine a "sharp" bend at the bow of Lady Nelson.

The planks above the wales have to turn a pretty sharp curve into the above-water bluff part of the bow. From the wales down the lines are pretty fine and there isn't much bending.