: I found that I could not get the handle off in order to figure out
: how not bugger up the electrics while drilling and tapping the
: base of the iron, so I took the handle off in rather small
: pieces. Hence it has departed to the dump with the strip
: shavings. :) If you can get the handle off, you can figure out
: where to drill and tap, then put the handle back on. Having the
: handle on will allow portable use, i.e. one hand for the strip
: and the other holding the iron. With the heater anchored, the
: strip can be handled with two hands which I found to be an
: advantage.

: If you build one of these, it is a good idea to round the aluminum
: plates so as to avoid denting the cedar. The plates in my
: pictures are not rounded enough, I will modify them before
: starting my deck. On the other hand, the hull looks great in
: spite of the heater not being rounded enough. If you look at the
: photos, you will see that there are two chunks of aluminum added
: (use aluminum, not steel, it conducts heat better, and for the
: same reason, use aluminum or copper shimming if you need any).
: The "central" piece should be rounded vertically, i.e.
: so that a strip pressed down vertically on its edge will press
: against a curved surface. This will facilitate bending strips
: from edge to edge. Not much curve is needed, think of the most
: severe bend you are likely to need, and add a bit. The outside
: piece of aluminum should have its corners well rounded so that a
: strip being bent face wise away from the iron base is not bent
: over sharp edges at the edge of the bending slot.

: This rig works well, and used steam irons can be had for a few
: bucks from the local junk store. Aluminum scraps can be had for
: cheap or free from a local metal fabrication shop.

: When I am stripping, I just leave it set to maximum heat, and the
: thermostat keeps it ready to go. As soon as I put in a wet
: strip, the thermostat kicks on the power to keep the thing hot
: while I am bending. Re. the issue of whether to wet or not, I
: have tried both, and wetting seems to work better for me. It
: prevents scorching, and the steam generated seems to penetrate
: the wood and speed up the relaxation of the strip. However, if
: you do not want to bother with water, the iron will work without
: it.

: Have fun,

I couldn't decide on which way to go, so I compromised - I'm doing both!

Just ordered a Wagner heatgun; TG for giftcards, eh?

Next stop - digging up an iron. Thanks all.

: Best regards,

: Allan Edie