30ft workshop yurt build (9 meters)

[Drunken hobbit]

Originally Posted by Bob Rowlands

You definitely >don't< want the pipe pressurizing

Very good point Bob. The ends of the pipe are just blocked by rags, with space for the steam to escape at the far end.

[Bob Rowlands]

Thanks for the clarification.

I have zero advice on steam bending wood. I've tried steam bending wood molding with no success. The wood was a bit more limber but nowhere near as bendable as I was hoping for. I can't remember anything about my set up which is fine because it didn't work. This was WAY before youtube videos, back in the early 90s.

There are plenty of wood bending videos now. Might be worth some time researching them? Anyway I'm impressed you are attempting something that isn't easy. Good luck I really hope you have success.

BTW the fellow that owns 'Camping Yurts' posts here every now and then. I think his name is Richard Waters. He bends his rings and they are very nice and light. He might give you some advice.

[jpinreno]

I have steam bent wood for shaker boxes, and supported my father in the past as he is a woodworker on various projects.

PVA Glue such as the brown Gorilla Glue works very well with wet or even soaked wood. If it were me I would skip the steam, and just go with submersion in boiling water. You would get much better results on the bend, and if you use PVA glue it will glue up great with many clamps around your form.

It will foam like crazy and be pretty messy, but I think you will find you would make a bullet proof ring. I would belt sand it after to knock down the glue, and you'd have the strongest Tone ring in the country.

Just be contentious to not glue the wood to the form!

Josh

[Drunken hobbit]

Originally Posted by jpinreno

If it were me...

Josh

Thanks very much for the advice Josh, it's really valuable info.
I was going to use epoxy as glue, but will use the brown Gorilla stuff instead.
Boil the wood, i never considered that. .
Cheers,
James

[Bob Rowlands]

I've used Gorilla glue building boxes and furniture. No complaints about the glue. However I'll make note that none of my projects had gaps, nor were under load when finished, as a yurt ring assuredly will be. I have seen youtube video of sheer and load test done with Gorilla glue. It failed short of a standard glue like epoxy and titebond, that are non foam. Gorilla glue foams up, and cured foam in a joint that is less than completely tight- meaning gaps during construction- is unlikely to have near the strength of epoxy. That's my guess based on working with the glue and also watching youtube video. You might want to research that before using it. For sure I'd do a trial run on assembling the ring to check how effective your clamp system is at closing the joints.

[Drunken hobbit]

Progress has been slow but steady.
I have bought almost all my materials, and I've cut the lattice laths and roof rafters to the correct length.
Skylight ring pieces have been cut roughly, and I'll laminate them with epoxy to make one enormous ring.
Then plane and sand it smooth to make it pretty.
It weighs over 100kg and is 2.47m wide... 8'1"
Whew!

[Drunken hobbit]

I decided against steam bending the lumber for the ring because it was going to take a looong time to steam each piece. Easier to laminate ply.