Steam Box

Well nothing lasts for ever, let alone a steam box.  The  first steam box I made lasted 20 years. It was starting to show its age, so it was time for a new one.  I have different sizes of steam boxes for steaming small pieces or cant ribs. The main one is mostly for steaming ribs.

This steam box measures 8" by 14" and 6ft long, constructed from plywood.

It has a manifold in it made from copper pipe with 1/8" holes drilled every inch to help distribute the steam evenly. Also with wooden dowels as crossers to support the ribs.

Like all things in my shop I like my stuff to be mobile ad easy to move, so it has its own base with wheels and the box is at a comfortable working height as well. The door is hinged and sealed with a felt gasket.

I had a kettle made 20 years ago, went and bought a piece of pipe off cut, had a top and bottom welded on it as well as a spot to fill it and a 1/2 tube to attach hose to. Heater core hose is used perfect for high temps.

The kettle holds about 3 gallons of water its fired by a 65,000 btu burner, and produces lots of steam.