Steam Bending Days
10 AM - 1 PM
Wednesday, Jan 27th
Saturday, Jan 30th
Wednesday, Feb 3rd
Community Boat Shop
301 Bluff Road
Amagansett, NY
The molds for the bending of the ribs are just about completed. We will begin to bend ribs on Wednesday, Jan 27th, continue on Saturday, Jan 30th and complete the process on Wednesday, Feb 3rd. Because the procedure is very hot, there may not be many opportunities for you to personally bend a rib. But just in case, please bring a good pair of winter gloves or kitchen mitts.
 We have been very fortunate in receiving the donation from Norman Stavin of an electric steam generator, the kind that is used in dry cleaning establishments to create steam for the presses.
The second most important device is a steam box. This was created at the boat shop under the leadership of member Pierce Hance, along with volunteer members of the boat shop. One unique feature of this steam box is that it has three shelves created by inserting dowel sticks in the sides at fixed intervals. When you look at the side of the box, you see the ends of the dowels that keep the steaming wood in a position where the steam can reach all sides.
The process is to insert the dry rib stock into our steam box and leave it there for a 1/2 hour. The rule of thumb is one hour of steaming for every inch of wood thickness. When the hot wood is taken out of the steam box, we have only one minute and thirty seconds to bend it and clamp it into place. Even if you don't handle the wood directly, your help will be needed to, quickly as possible, clamp the steamed wood into place.
You will be amazed at how flexible a piece of oak can be when properly steamed.
Come join us for a day to observe and/or participate, bring a lunch and enjoy the flow of the boat shop in action!
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