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Steam bending a one piece handrail

Posted in Architectural woodwork, Fairfax Virginia, Steam bending

Using four 1 inch thick red oak planks and steam chamber that can accomodate 12 feet long lumber created this stair rail.  The pieces are glue laminated after bending and machined to the profile and detailed with scrapper and sand paper.  The bannisters were pattern cut from 6/4 stock.  The customer wanted to be a part of the project so they installed the last five bannisters and applied the final stain and varnish.  In the process, the last bannister was not properly spaced.

Using an electric turkey fryer for the steam generator and sheet metal duct work a steam chamber is created.  Wrap ducts with insulation before using.

Using an electric turkey fryer for the steam generator and sheet metal duct work a steam chamber is created. Wrap ducts with insulation before using.