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How to Steam Bend Wood

Writer: Jesse ShawJesse Shaw

Updated: Aug 21, 2023

There are three conventional ways to bend wood: Bent Laminations, Kerf Cutting and Steam Bending. Steam bending is one of the most popular techniques because it's easy, clean, and magical. The principle is to use steam to inject heat into the cellular tubes of the wood which softens the lignin (glue in a tree) allowing the cellular tubes to slide past each other to curve.



steam bend wood

How do you select wood for steam bending?

The grain should be straight no burls, knots, or wavy grain. Certain woods bend better than others. In my experience, the best woods to use in order are Ash, White oak, Beech, Maple, Walnut, Mahogany. though there are









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JShaw Furniture was founded by Jesse Shaw in 2014, a Boston-based master craftsman and furniture designer. The company elevates furniture design to a higher level of art, producing hand-made bespoke furniture and wood lighting for individual clients and private collections, carrying on the tradition of sustainably-sourced and locally-made lighting, furniture and chuppahs (wedding arches). JShaw designs have been exhibited at the Wharton Esherick Museum, Fitchburg Museum, the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum. 

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