3 Legs

[Bryan Milham]

So this is not a finished piece. I'm working on a vase that has a pointed base and therefore needs legs. I decided that I'd make 3 and will steam bend them around the form, at least I'll try steam bending - I've never actually done it before.

So far I have a vase and the 3 legs, here is a picture of the legs.

All turned with my skews between centres. I turned the first 2 straight off, the 3rd I maybe got a little overconfident with and did break it, so took a second go.

[Les Symonds]

Nicely turned, Bryan....you've obviously got the knack with the skew!
Les

[Paul Disdle]

I have been thinking of steam bending things too.  I assume a man of your making talent will be making there own bending kit.  I was thinking wallpaper stripper connected to a length of plastic pipe.  What are your plans?

I shall be interested in your experience

Paul

[Bryan Milham]

Paul,

as they are so small I was thinking of a 'wallpaper stripper connected to a length of plastic pipe.'

First I have to make the former to bend them around though.

[Roderick Evans]

Being these are so small why not try soaking them in hot water and then bend them around the formers, I've had success with this method so long as the curve is not too severe.

Rod

[Mark Hancock]

Being these are so small why not try soaking them in hot water and then bend them around the formers, I've had success with this method so long as the curve is not too severe.

Rod

A similar technique is to wrap them in soaking wet kitchen paper, heat in microwave and then clamp between male and female formers.

[Bryan Milham]

Mark,

that sounds much easier, thank you.

[Les Symonds]

A similar technique is to wrap them in soaking wet kitchen paper, heat in microwave and then clamp between male and female formers.
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Can't wait to try that one out.....SWMBO's old microwave just got given the elbow in favour of a bright new purple one....so guess who's got the old one!

Les

[Paul Disdle]

Any sort of rough guide on heating time in the microwave?

Paul

[Eric Harvey]

paul,it depends on the size of the microwave and what you need to do to it and the size of the object being microwaved,when I`m turning thin bowls green,I put it on defrost for 30 secs at a time then leave for a couple of mins to cool,but in this case don`t let it cool,and you`d probaly be ok with 1-2 mins on defrost,(its old and has a twistknob)newer ones you`d have to programme.