Rear Stem

I've been soaking the piece for the rear stem for about a week now. I've had it wrapped up in a wet towel. Bending the stem around the form is always a bit crazy - I've done a few of them. So without any other excuses (I got the squirrels out of the attic, fixed the flat on the Echo, made a storage box for the chainsaw, opened a discount brokerage account and reinvested my RSPs, sorted my sock drawer (I'm definitely stalling now)), I gather my materials and begin in earnest.

I get the hot-plate, kettle and PVC pipe set up. The piece of ash for the stem goes in the pipe for a 45 minute steam bath. While waiting I get the clamps preset and ready. The first attempt goes south in a hurry. I can't get the first clamp on fast enough and the ash cools down quickly. Back in the steamer for 20 minutes. Time enough to learn a Steve Earle song on the uke. 

Out of the steamer and onto the form - this time things go a little smoother. At the apex of the curve, the wood starts to split . Fortunately, it's in a spot where a clamp goes, so I can stop the split from getting too big. Once it's cooled down I'll glue the split together. There are a couple of places where the wood isn't tight to the form and no clamp holes to tighten it, so I use some straps with ratchets to cinch it down. Time to sit back, take a few pics and let things cool.