How to steam bend wooden boat frames in plastic bags instead of a traditional steam box

[@henriquedcunha]

I have only built plywood and fiberglass boats in the past, but I'm willing to give this metod a try anytime soon. Crazy to see what the internet is capable of: one guy halfway across the globe posts a video and, 10 years latter, here I am, mesmerized with his technique.

[@RobCardIV]

I have a playlist called "Masterclass Iron Stone Wood." just for rare videos like this.

[@DC--zr8gw]

I tried this, just this weekend and it works like a charm! Bought a little wallpaper steamer to generate the steam (C$79.99) and the wood (which was kiln dried) bent without a problem! Thank you for the idea!

[@TaterSchuld]

Nice to see the older generation sharing their knowledge with modern technology, especially with a trick as slick as this.

[@theoriginalemptysauce]

Good find, Tater. Thank you for passing along this reminder that partisanship is alive and increasingly higher technology can't replace people. Only a person could have invented or discovered Sauzedde's steambag technique. High tech stuff is very useful for connecting people and sharing knowledge. I'm glad Sauzedde made this informative video and posted it where other shipwrights can watch and learn. He's brilliant! Sauzedde-Saucedo. Think there's a connection? There must be because we're both geniuses. ;-)

[@pillarshipempireemployee0142]

@@theoriginalemptysauce technology can't replace people *yet*

[@DemoMan101]

I never comment on any videos, at least for the last 6 years +. But I felt it warranted to comment on this and say that it is an excellent idea. I'm a very very novice boat builder, but I was seriously struggling with gunwales and steaming large pieces to fit different curves. I feel the method you show will let me bend wood to my imagination now as opposed to my imagination bending around the wood. Great video, thanks again.

[@robertborthwick9871]

Scrimber

[@SDR3645]

@@robertborthwick9871 ok

[@rakentrail]

I did quite a bit of steam bending of oak planking when I was younger and found a real advantage to adding fabric softener to the water. about a cup to 5 gal.

[@NoChrReq]

what's the reason to do so? what's the advantage one gains by adding fabric softener? could you explain please?

[@rakentrail]

@@NoChrReq The old boat builder I worked for always said it helped soften the fibers. All I can tell you was we bent 5/4 oak fairly easily with not much more than clamps.

[@missnebulajones]

I’m so glad I ran across this video! We substituted aluminum foil for the plastic bags, just crimped the ends to make a tube, and it worked great! I was getting discouraged but now I’m very excited about this project :)

[@sherry866]

Omg !!!!!! I have been wondering how wood is bent for boats my entire life !!!! That was So Cool. I didn't know anything about a Steam Box, and you've simplified and MASTERED this new concept !!!!! I love it and you explained it PERFECTLY !! THANKS 👍👍👍😇🙌🙌🍻

[@ExploreNewEngland]

your films inspired my son and I to build a 16 foot wooden work skiff. Came out great!

[@5ivestring]

I've been looking for a easy way to steam and bend wood, and this by far the simplest. No boxes to build, just plain simple. Thanks

[@csmrfx]

I hope to use this method. I applaud your creativity and am humbled by your generosity, thanks for sharing!

[@fishhuntadventure]

Not that I’m a jerk - I’m not - but there’s VERY FEW guys that do wood work and building that really impress me. Most are rehashing other people’s stuff and often not very well. Their voice overs try to sound knowledgeable and expert but they make many assumptions and errors. This guy is neither assumptive nor pretentious- he knows exactly what he’s doing and probably (rightfully!) wasn’t surprised at all that this worked fantastic. A very big thumbs UP!

[@robertbeverly1508]

You are one of the best producers of this type video I've seen. You're idea is genius and your explanations are wonderfully precise. Great videos!

[@mcjok88]

Lou, fabulous job passing down the knowledge. You present so well.

[@rjp985]

That is a brilliant idea and easier than the old school method.I've watched many planks get steamed and this is A+.

[@HovingtonInstruments]

This is one I'll keep in my Tips and Tricks book... Thanks for sharing Louis.

[@alanhill4334]

Louis, Thanks for this. I've just used it to steam bend a laminated stem. Worked an absolute treat.

[@TipsfromaShipwrightvideos]

Great to hear Alan send us some pictures tipsfromashipwright at gmail

[@KevinRMoore]

This is awesome! I've been watching a lot of videos on traditional kayak building and they all talk about the short working time from the steam box. Going to commit this one to the old brain

[@RobCardIV]

This video is so brilliant that I will watch it a second time. right now. I almost closed this video when i saw the first picture of the boat and the steam, because i had on idea what was happening, but i was sure that it was far too complicated for me. I accidently left my computer on, went to the grocery store with the family, came back and said "Haha, oh shit, I left the computer on again". Finished watching the video. and learned two things... the brilliant bag method and, just ohw simple a steam engine could be. all the other steam videos show some complex steam machine. this is literally just a can of water on a firebox.... I can do that.....

[@ptabz3112]

That is an amazing idea. not only is it more efficient in terms of preventing the heat loss, it is also more portable. For anyone doing steam bending occasionally, instead of having a big steam box that you have to store when not in use, you can just roll up the bag which occupies lot less space. I hope you can team up with a company like fastcap so a lot of woodworkers can use your method. Thanks for sharing!

[@ssmith9469]

I'm using this (and some of your other info) for an Albury 19 runabout I'm building. Works great and simple. Thanks for sharing all these techniques.

[@Blakeneyd]

Genius! I've been wanting to try bending wood but thought I would have to get or build a steambox - this is a much easier solution. Thank you for posting it!

[@hollickrichard]

+Blakeneyd and then you have to store the box and as you advance in projects that box invariably becomes too small for you this however saves you from all that brilliant idea.

[@jancloddlafront9185]

don't work as well, but if you're satisfied... In steambend does the heat or the water does the trick? I think the steam carries the heat to the wood. the hotter the better as why the steam box. the more steam pressure the better heat penetration. Fortunatly he hardly bends the wood.

[@donaldwalls3365]

I have seen a lot of the steam bending and I really like that way of doing it for that type of bends. Great job

[@philboyer2036]

This is a very innovative way of steaming. I have used various methods in my boat building but this is so simple but excellent.

[@rexthepotter13]

THE best steaming idea i have see tonight, i been looking for a cheap and easy way and it looks like i found it. thanks rex from Louisiana

[@MRrwmac]

That is an excellent idea! Get the wood bent, cool it and then very little of the recoil is bent to put in place! Very cleaver! Thanks!

[@DanLeeBoatbuilding]

Brilliant idea! I'll be trying this next time I'm steaming, plus it takes up a lot less space in the workshop than a steam box. Thanks for sharing!

[@daleskidmore1685]

This was a great tip which worked for me. I used a roll of vacuum food bag and steamed the wood off the boat as it was fibreglass, but hanging alongside it. Got the food bag idea from Mike Yurth's channel. Thanks Lou.

[@maxdraxx]

This is great thanks! Been looking for a way to steam bend a home made snowboard in a tiny workshop!

[@RubberTrampingAmerica]

Fantastic! I also love your steamer, the old gas can and all. Very cool.

[@mre2577]

genius! merging tradition with innovation... another great video, thank you!

[@Tangeloor]

This is twenty different shades of BRILLIANT - and is a real game changer!

[@TheRandomMechanic]

i like how you used an old metal 5 gallon eagle gas can on a propane burner to make the steam , very simple , i am going to have to try this . nice work .

[@StephenSmith-yp7to]

I watched this and then applied it to steaming ribs for an Albury 19-9 runabout. 3 ribs at 3/8" thick, douglas fir. It worked great. Thanks for posting and sharing.

[@deanwright2230]

What type of bags did you find was it poly tubing and how many microns hold up with the steam? I've been speaking with poly tubing companies but they can't confirm

[@jeffwatts4264]

what a great idea , and so simple too , allows you to keep the heat in the wood while your actually bending the wood , how long do you heat the timber before attempting to bend ?

[@walterreutersr.3331]

Great tip. I have a desire to build a cedar strip canoe this fall and your tip will be of great benefit. Thank you very much.

[@spidennis]

I love watching this guys's work!

[@rossthompson2875]

Thanks for this Louis a great idea. I had a couple of goes with a wall paper steamer and it didn't go well so wrapped kitchen foil around the bag and it worked perfectly :-)

[@zachariahharris2795]

Very clever. I'm working on a cradle and using steam bending quite a bit. I can't wait to make a boat!

[@TipsfromaShipwrightvideos]

It's just 6mil polyethylene melted together, but it can even be bought in tube form!

[@jean-valerythoraval4591]

+Tips from a Shipwright Hi, and thank you for this great video... i'm planning on using your (or this ) technic for bending bamboo, however i can't seem to be able to find those plastic bag in tube form anywhere on the web, could you give me the keyword you've used to find some online, or maybe even a link? thanks in advance

[@skubydrule]

Try "6 mil clear poly tubing"

[@drpeejay54]

Tips from a Shipwright c

[@heritagebw]

Great and simple idea. Can you tell us where you get the bags for this?

[@tokemaster9933]

Jed Lavoie buy an industrial bag sealer (they're not big, they're made for cereal bags and stuff) and a long roll of plastic.

[@Garo48]

I dedectd a string inside along the top of the bag ... or is it a stick? How did you seal the bag?

[@TipsfromaShipwrightvideos]

+Gerrie Warner The ends can be melted together or you can batton the seam and fasten

[@ebphinn]

I am wondering where you find long plastic bags

[@rowanperry2228]

6mil polyethylene sheets melter together (hardware store)

[@derekhallett6946]

www.amazon.com/Elkay-Plastics-T1-10060-Density-Tubing/dp/B00AQ4F514/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1470853860&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=6+mil+10+inch+polytubing

[@ralphcaruso6310]

Absolutely brilliant, you are a Master Boat Builder.

[@bobd.]

I'm watching this a second time and wonder is the soft, steamed wood subject to damage from the clamps. Is it possible for the clamp pad to leave a depression in the wood and if so what is the best way to avoid that. I am thinking use a small block of wood under the clamp pad to distribute the clamping force but maybe that is not necessary or there is a better way. Maybe the clamps are not so tight that they compress the wood I don't know. This is something I would like to try on a smaller scale for furniture by bending a piece around a form.

[@lincolnpotter1174]

Do you have a suggestion as to how to insulate an epoxy-bonded plywood boat from the very hot gunwale that is being fitted?

[@boatworkstoday]

That's pretty slick Louis. Going to remember that one ;-)

[@Angus_McGyver]

Excellent! I was just wondering if I could do that, and here you are already doing it.

[@flatbowaa3693]

Where do you order the bags

[@RickMcQuay]

Brilliant. One of those ideas that in retrospect you wonder why people don't do it all the time.

[@lindaaustin-morin7781]

Louis, will you tell us how you melted the 6 mill poly to keep in together

[@burnts1enna]

Where do you get the plastic bags from? Thanks..

[@michaelgalasso8558]

Where do you get the plastic bags from?

[@Noneya792]

Where do you get the bags?

[@garyharrison9145]

Brilliant!! I'm going to try this while constructing the sides of an acoustic guitar! Seems pretty straightforward!!!

[@kmonnier]

seems curvy to me...

[@aronbechiom565]

This is the man I want to learn boatbuilding from !

[@bobd.]

Genius! You are the master that is for sure Lou.

[@OregonBeeRancher]

This is probably very simple but how did you melt the plastic together and what type of "through hull" did you use to attach the steamer hose to the bag to prevent steam leakage?

[@CustomBuiltDIY]

So where did you get your plastic bag?

[@MrG0RD0]

Now your looking at a proper pro, good tip and very good listening,

[@TheLonegerd]

This method has been used for years in Essex (UK) by Rick Cardy when replanking Thames sailing barges. Bends a 3 inch thick plank like butter.

[@johnryan2193]

Where do you get the bags ? Great idea ,thanks for showing this method .

[@maxdraxx]

Any tips on bending birch ply? I'm not sure how long to steam it for. Looking to put a gentle bend in a piece of 1700mm x 400mm 9mm birch ply. Any suggestions. Worried about oversoaking it.

[@jimstools3937]

Louis can you please tell me what type a gas can did you use ? Safety one industries that sell gas cans don't recommend them . What do you think Lou? I'm ready to try this.

[@markmarkw1919]

NOBODY who sells gas cans will recommend them for this; just buy a steel can and do it. try Eagle gas cans on ebay.

[@deanwright2230]

I've just built a similar kit can I ask how many microns is the bag you're using or if anyone else has made this can they please let me know? Trying to obtain the correct micron bag (Polly tubing?) that will hold this team is proving difficult where I live.

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

What a great idea and no need for a steaming box.

[@mathieulamaure1487]

Lou, you are just a genius.

[@littlestworkshop]

This is a fantastic idea, layflat tubing as you mention in another comment would be perfect, I use that stuff for packaging small parts.

[@doradosurfcharters]

simple but smart well done guys!!!

[@jamesdoyle6839]

where did you find these long bags. ??? jim in florida

[@markandrews6054]

5 years late. Use "polythene layflat tubing". Look for it on eBay it's dirt cheap. Comes on a very long roll. To crimp the ends use gaffa / gorilla tape.

[@alaskanalain]

what wood is best to use for this application?

[@tedhaas8440]

Curious, what kind of boat was this?

[@zininzelfdoen]

Hi, great video. Can anyone tell me where to get a hose/pipe that can stand the heat of the steam? Or where to buy such a big kettle?

[@markmarkw1919]

"Kettle" is a 5 gallon gas can. Try ebay. Most hoses will, I imagine, take more heat than boiling water; after all the plastic "bag" does OK.

[@tonyhemingway7980]

zininzelfdoen I would think that automobile heater hose would be more than adequate.

[@TheMowjo]

Great Idea! I think they could be vacuum food sealer bags on a roll, they come in lengths from 6 to 12 metres long, and if you have a food vacuum sealer you could seal one end,,

[@JeffWestNW]

Might that restrict the flow to the sealed end? If so, perhaps permissible if the sealed end is a straight(er) shot.

[@zirconzircon8861]

This is great! Glad I found it. I'm about to build a small rowboat from Glen-L plans and I wanted some way to bend the chine logs and inner and outer sheer. One thing, though ... I wish you had a better closeup of that container and its fittings that you boil the water in. Also, did you buy the bag ... or make it?

[@alejandrozapata2665]

Pure Genius and so jovial.. A unique master, you are. Thank you.

[@jimdodd3462]

Neat trick, and great presentation !

[@mdeshon]

Thank you for sharing this tip to the world.

[@alastairferguson2133]

Great video - hoping to bend 7 m roof beams - Can't get the Jerry cans to make the steam. Anyone have any ideas of what else can be used? Old cooking oil cans do you think would work?

[@alastairferguson2133]

i see someone has used an electric one usually used for wallpaper stripping - would these produce good enough steam? Thanks

[@MrParafire]

How did you melt the plastic together? Also, I am trying to bend oak in a compound curve for a canoe. It goes inward and then upward. Any suggestions would be great.

[@2passnthru2]

+Jonathan Gibbs ... that plastic is in the hardware store around the construction area, it is REALLY thick. looks like they used a soldering tool to melt it together. they have a wood burning tool with different tips, one is spade like, rig a light dimmer maybe, check with an electricition of course, to so it melts together rather than just melting holes in it if it is too hot.

[@davexb6595]

Excellent technique and excellent video.

[@markandrews6054]

5 years late to the party, For anyone who is wondering where to get long polythene steam bending sleeves for the wood such as those used in the video above on the boat gunwales, use "polythene layflat tubing". Look for it on eBay it's absolutely dirt cheap - over 100M under a tenner incl delivery. Comes on a very long roll. After you cut it to the required length to crimp the ends use gaffa / gorilla tape. You can reuse the sleeve again and again.

[@michaelgalasso8558]

Thank you

[@markandrews6054]

@@michaelgalasso8558You're welcome. My pleasure.

[@guyvangenechten6484]

Very very Nice job as always!!!💯👌❤

[@hugehelp]

yeah! you are a true master at work! This will help me with my builds!

[@barrystraughan]

Terrific idea. How did you connect the sides of the 6mil poly? I know you indicated melting them but was it sandwiched between a cloth then ironed or would that just stick to the cloth? Also how long would you leave it steaming after the original 1/2 hour? How did you connect the poly to the steam can without it melting?

[@lincolnpotter1174]

How can you avoid wrecking epoxy bonds (e.g. scarfs) with your very hot frames? Can you introduce an insulating layer between the boat and the hot frame?

[@cindasana]

Brilliant! Wow I love clever problem solves like this. Well done!

[@kevinmencer3782]

Can you use this method to bend full size 2*4s, instead the traditional method?

[@TipsfromaShipwrightvideos]

+Kevin Mencer You bet!

[@markmarkw1919]

What's the "traditional method" for bending 2 x 4s?? Cutting lots of kerfs?

[@aktrapper6126]

beautiful boat, How much would a boat like that sell for?

[@donalheffernan8270]

I was just getting wound up to suggest that you explain what happens to wood when steamed and why it bends easier, and then in the last sentence Lou says "when the lignum melts----". I shoulda known better than to question the master!

[@BigFiveJack]

That is such a GREAT idea! Thank you for all your videos!!!!! What's the source for the correct plastic bags please?

[@crazyoldhippieguy]

Do you put n some ammonia in the steamer?

[@markmarkw1919]

I believe ammonia permanently weakens and embrittles the wood, from what I've read.

[@kevinreicks6251]

If this is just polyethylene, I wonder if this might work for steaming thin and broad plywood. I am going to have to give it a try

[@GILLEBRATH]

You Sir, sure know your stuff. Thank you for sharing this Idea.

[@paulwharton1850]

You're soooo clever. Great to watch.thanks.

[@530eman]

Fantastic idea...!!! Where do you get those plastic bags...? Thank you sir

[@ArminHirmer]

great

[@wood5382]

Great idea, and nicely eplained!

[@kg6tgr]

what a great video. I learned a lot and like your idea. Thanks for the post!

[@davidwhite1465]

Curious as to how the plastic bag is sealed along the seam....

[@NathanNostaw]

Thanks for the video. Great technique.

[@fionnbarrboggs6204]

could u bent 4 inch by 1 3 quarter teak ribs for a old fishing boat?

[@TipsfromaShipwrightvideos]

Yes you can and it should work well there are some details to work out for sure. Let me know how you make out . Or you can communicate any time that you would like. I'm doing better at getting back.