Bending/steaming teak for decking

[sevennations]

I'm in the process of replacing the teak decking and need to bend it like the original decking. I've steamed and bent other harwoods before but not teak. Has anybody here steamed decking before? How long should it steam? I'm using the typical 1 3/4" X 1/2" decking.
Any help would be appreciated. I'm taking pics to post once I'm finished (if I ever do...)

Thanks!

[svey]

I've tried but never succeeded.

I believe it has to do with the way teak is harvested and grain structure. In an old Fine Woodworking, I've read that teak is dried by girdling the tree while standing, air dry, than cut. It is very hard to properly steambend dry wood.

Usual steam time is 1h00 per inch, quickly take out of the steam and bend around jig build to replicate intended radius (some spring back will occur) clamp or tie and allow to dry. Leave in mold until moisture read less than 10% moisture.

[gc1111]

Google is your friend. both "Steam Bending" and "Steam Bending Teak" get lots of good references.

1 hr/inch is a good guideline - in your case that is a half hour steaming. Work fast when it comes out - you have about 5 sec to do the bending.

You might have to pre-soak. The heat is what allows the bending, but you need moisture in the wood to conduct the heat to the interior.

[sevennations]

I actually tried it yesterday after work. I steamed a couple of practice pieces for 30 minutes and they didn't break. I think I will soak them though. And I need to re-build my jig. I was trying to bend by pulling the middle of the piece instead of the ends.
The spring back has what's got me concerned. I guess its just a swag as to how much I need to over bend.
I have read some of the references from google, most of them are about bending larger pieces for hull planking. I was able to select my wood and get quarter sawn pieces, that should help.
I'll let it soak for a week and see how it goes!

[Quickstep192]

Please keep us posted on your success. I did some research and read that springback is usually only a problem with laminated bends. There are times that a steamed bend will actually bend IN after being removed form the mold. It seems like teak could be a crapshoot because of it's oil content. Also, I read that air dried wood bends better than kiln dried.

[sevennations]

Just an update- I've steamed and bent all the decking. Yes, there was quite a bit of springback. In fact, some pieces didn't even look like they had been bent. I left them in the jig for at least 4 days, until the moisture was down around 15%. Even though the springback was severe, they all bend back into the shape I need very easily so its not much of an issue. I'm now in the process of re-coring my decks ( a helluva undertaking!!) With my work schedule it will take awhile to complete the whole job, but hopefully worth it!