It is sometimes necessary to bend or twist wood into various shapes to suit certain work. Long or short strips, and even planks, can be made very pliable by steaming them from half an hour to an hour in a cheaply-constructed box, like the one illustrated. The size of the box will naturally depend upon the class of work to be operated upon. Boxes all the way to 35 feet in length by 3 feet square have been made for bending planks in boat building. For ordinary work, however, a box 10 to 12 inches square by 8 to 12 feet in length will be ample.

Fig. 67 - The steam box in use.

The box is made of inch boards, nailed together with ten-penny nails, about 6 or 8 inches apart, with one end closed permanently, and the other either furnished with a hinged lid and two side catches, or left open entirely. When the latter scheme is resorted to, either an old piece of carpet, burlap, or hay can be used to close up the end. Even when the hinged lid is used, it is well to use a piece of burlap as indicated An ample-sized pot is furnished with a wooden lid, which is made to fit the opening tightly. A hole is cut in the lid of the kettle, and the bottom of the steam box, with a compass saw, large enough to take a piece of pipe 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter.

The pipe must fit very tightly. It must be of sufficient length to prevent the box from coming too near the fire; say 4 feet from the ground.

The kettle is suspended from the middle of the box by means of a strong wire or chain over a fire. The wooden lid is furnished with an opening for a funnel to supply the kettle with water. The opening is closed with a tight-fitting cork when thefunnel is not used. The box is generally placed outside the shop, within convenient reach, upon a couple of trestles or horses.