Darryl Keil Last Activity 2025-09-09 11:09 AM
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John Boon

Posts: 2

Joined: 2009-10-20
Location: LaGrange, Ky

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Subject : Curved Stair case
Posted : 2009-10-20 12:42 PM
Post #35740
Hello All:
I am an advanced wood worker and building my own home. I ran out of the warm season and I am starting to construct my curve stair case. I have the form built and laid out, as in the "working in a vacuum" DVD. I am not new to bending wood. Although, the only bending was for door and window arches. I always used clamps. I just purchased the bag system and watched both DVD's. This system looks much easier. I have always made the jams in my shop where I can control the temperature. Question. Here in Kentucky, the weather dips into the 40's at night and now never gets above 65 in the house. If I hang heavy quilts or tarps around the form and use a space heater, will that work for the unibond 800? Second question. The perimeter of the stair case is 18' 10" with 48" treads. I designed the stringers to be 2" thick. Is this thick enough? The DVD stated I should use 90 degree off set on each layer. Is that necessary for the stringers? It did not look like they used that method in the demo DVD. Thank you in advance.


 
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ckurak

Posts: 107

Joined: 2006-10-28
Location: Florida

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Subject : RE: Curved Stair case
Posted : 2009-10-20 1:51 PM
Post #35741 - In reply to #35740
John,

I can try to answer your question about keeping the work project warm while it is curing. The method that I use is an electric blanket. I place this on top of the project (I have a flip-top press) as soon as I turn the vacuum on. I leave it there for the entire time.

Also, if the shop during the day is below 70, I "pre-heat" the table with the electric blanket for a few hours before I put the project on it. Then I move the blanket to the top as I described above.

I also purchased an infra-red thermometer to check on the project from time to time. Mine is a hand-held device with a red laser beam. Basically it is a point and shoot, then read the temperature of what you just "shot" operation. This eliminates things like using your hand to see if the work "feels warm enough". Lift off the blanket for a second, take the project's temperature, then immediately cover it back again.

Given your cold environment, I would definitely do a dry run (no glue) with the electric blanket and the vacuum bag to see if you can get and keep it warm enough for the entire curing time. I have been told that if the 800 gets too cold during the curing process it will never cure no matter how long you wait. I believe this to be true. Would someone please confirm this for me????

Also, get the parts that are to be glued together warm enough before applying the glue. Since you are an advanced wood worker, I am sure you already knew this one. So, just a friendly reminder.

Good luck on the house!


 
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John Boon

Posts: 2

Joined: 2009-10-20
Location: LaGrange, Ky

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Subject : RE: Curved Stair case
Posted : 2009-10-20 3:06 PM
Post #35742 - In reply to #35741
Ckurak:
Thanks for your quick reply. I do know to keep the wood warm before glue up. I wasn't real worried about getting the wood acclimated to the environment, since I will be using bending ply.

Thank you for the electric blanket suggestion. I never would have thought of that. I was planning on making a dry run since I have never glued up curved stringers.
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