Heat softens the lignin in the cell walls of the wood. Water transfers heat. Kiln dried timber has about 12% water.
JohnK

: Bill,
: I'm not sure any moisture is necessary to bend the thin wood strips we use.

: Most people think of steam bending when wood bending is mentioned.
: I've heard a lot of people talk about soaking wood before trying to bend it,
: not just using steam.

: I believe the heat is what is important and that water, in the form of steam,
: is a good conductor of the heat, so steam is needed in larger wood sections
: to
: transmit the heat for bending.

: I've sent off this question to Dr. Bruce Hoadley, Professor of Wood
: Technology
: at the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, the author of the book,
: "Understanding Wood, a Craftsman's Guide to Wood Technology" which
: I highly
: recommend.

: The great thing about using the heat gun to bend is you can glue-up
: immediately
: because the wood stays dry.

: I'll let you know what I hear from Dr. Hoadley.

: Rob