hi all,
I am first time builder and have stripped the hull of a BJorn Thomasson Panthera. I am having some difficulty bending the stems .
In Australia we do not have Basswood or other American timbers.

I have tried An Australian hardwood called Victorian Ash using the hot air method and when it lets go it simply breaks at that point of lignin release. Will try soaking the 3mm by 300mm strips for a week and try again

Next step will be a steam box but it seems a bit of bother for two stems.....

I followed Rob Macks demonstration for bending the wood but it looked easy and quick, the ash took 20 mins to get to a point of bend. I did get to about 70 degrees before breakage/ collapse without strain but need to get the tighter curve of about 90 degrees

I have been following Dan and John's builds of their Pantheras and found them both very useful guides

Any thoughts most appreciated and yes it is 30 degrees Celsius and humid here in Brisbane