Our first and second attempts at boiling or steaming our new frame stock were unsuccessful. We borrowed a stainless-steel trough to boil the white oak but didn't have enough heat (with two BBQ grills!) to get the water hot or boiling. Our second temporary solution was to invert the trough and direct the steam from our small steel boiler into that while controlling the escape of steam. Again, too much heat loss. The first 1.5"x2" piece of oak promptly broke when we were checking its bend. So, we've completed our plywood steam box and rigged a tight steam-hose fitting to one end with the opposite end lightly sealed to promote steam moving through the box. We've also padded the inside ceiling with 2" foam insulation.

Since we're doing the restoration at G.R. Plume & Company's location we are lucky to have some quality stock accessible. Including the 20+ foot piece of 2" thick, plain-sawn, air dried white oak pictured below. Flat grain is desired for bending stock, as opposed to the vertical grain often prized in structural wood, planking stock, etc.

 

Frame stock is 1 3/8" thick by 1 7/8" wide. 72" long. 

 

Nearly flat grain (above). Provides great bite for fasteners and takes advantage of the natural flexibility of wood. This week we'll be putting the new steambox setup to the test and hope to install the first two or three new frames.