Building a Steam Box and Steam Bending Oak Frames, S2-E8

In this episode of The Art of Boat Building we follow along the building a steam box. The box is then tested for steam bending oak frames. The white oak frames are then installed in the Haven 12 1/2. Following a plan by Greg Rossel in his book "Building Small Boats" we see how to build a steam box for bending wood.

“If you’re going to make it, make it beautiful.”
-Bob Emser-

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Bob Emser American Sculptor:

"Building Small Boats" by Greg Rossel

Video equipment used:

Some of the power tools used in this episode:

Milwaukee 6391-21 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Blade on Left
WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 3-1/4-Inch
WEN 6552T 13 in. 15 Amp 3-Blade Thickness Planer
Bosch IDH182-02 18-Volt Cordless Impact Driver

Disclaimer: Some of these links go to one of my websites and some are affiliate links where I’d earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#theartofboatbuilding #artofboatbuilding #makeitbeautiful#woodenboatbuilding #buildingasmallboat #buildingasailboat #shipwright #toolbuilding #Haven12 #herreshoff #shipwright

[williamballew]

I absolutely love your videos this is always been my dream to build my own sailboat I don't think I could do it like you though I never see you make a mistake LOL but I think you've inspired me to try thank you

[michaelarmbruster]

Nicetrick on measuring the water level

[davidc]

That steam box sure did work well with those frames. Great progress Bob. On to the next segment in this binge watch. Thanks for sharing.

[marcosrobertojuppa]

I have to be very grateful for there being people like you who are predisposed to teach.
As always a great video. Thank you.

[sheiladunk]

Hi, ( roly) brilliant bubble tip, so simple but effective.

[richardbohlingsr]

The steam bent frames went well and they should last a long time. She is coming along great.

[CarlWinter-oyuf]

Nice workshop --wonderful when you can have all the modern latest tools and equipment at your fingertips! come to Africa --theres bugger all here mate !

[danwilley]

Brilliant! Rarely have I seen an instructional video that did such a great job of very clearly explaining a complicated, involved, and extended process with such clarity and effectiveness. Also. your calm, soft-spoken demeanor makes the videos a pleasure to watch. As I told my wife, it's like watching Mister Rogers build a boat, which comment I hope you will take as the compliment is it meant to be. I have long wanted to build a wooden boat myself and when I get around to it, probably when I retire, I hope your videos will still be available. Many thanks for sharing this project with everyone!

[mattevans-koch]

Bob,
That steam box is the nicest one I have seen. "Just threw together some supports" would have taken me 3 days and half a dozen tries. Your sculpting background is really showing itself. Very nice explanations for the different steps you are taking and the video is very well done. Thank you very much for this video of your progress. Have a good week and looking forward to your next video.

[michaelclark]

That's a great build indeed. You can also have a small drain pipe from your weep hole feeding back into your boiler to recycle the water.

[dennisdownes]

Very nice comments about not "over-pressurizing" the boiler and box! "They" make all kinds of rubber/foam pads to kneel knees will appreciate it! I love how a "first-fire" test turned into almost all the frames being done! Nice!!! DD

[lenniereagan]

Thank you so much. Very helpful video. Plus, I really like your work.

[alanhortin]

So enjoying your series. Keep up the awesome work. Great video quality and production!

[tomtruesdale]

Another great video, the boat is coming along and will be a beauty when she is finished. There is just something satisfying about bending wood. When I built my plywood Jon boat I didn't have an steam box for the plywood bottom so I put wet towels in a microwave till they were boiling hot and laid them on the area where I needed the bend to be. Worked like a champ. I used the same technique for bending the bottom runners but it didn't work out as well.

[GoochPatrol]

What a great build series Bob! Thank you very much for the upload and we are all very excited for the next!!

[rtglow]

Great Video, Bob; thanks for the tip on the water level

[shoresharp]

Very nice and detailed video Bob thanks for all you do.

[migueldavidde]

Obrigado por compartilhar. Abraços do Brasil!

[andrewwhite]

Really enjoying following along with your build!

[robinhodgkinson]

Nice going Bob. I wondered whether those ply ribbands would be stiff enough between molds, but those small frames, al dente, don’t appear to offer much resistance. : ) Looking forward to the next step. Your channel is sure making me want to build another boat - stop it, ok! : )