NE alternative to Doug fir?

[DavidF]

I'm building the Auray dinghy out of plywood and was trying to use Doug fir for the chines and inwales/sheerclamps. There are some strong bends in the design but the fir, ripped to a one-inch parallelogram has taken every bend except on one of the sheers, where the stick has broken three times. The other three pieces are holding nicely. I think it is just that this piece of fir was cooked in the kiln and is too brittle. I don't want to build a steam box at this point (the expense, time and the other pieces didn't need it.) My first thought is to find a local alternative. Any ideas?

Thanks. If I find something that works I can post pics.

David

[gray duck]

no to steaming so how about an epoxy solution > laminating the DF strip in place? say in 3 pieces (layers).

[Bob Triggs]

Ash?
White Oak ( green, "bending wood" ).?
Eastern White Pine?

[CundysHarbor]

Steaming is not that big a deal. I use continuous 4 mil. plastic tube (available on EBAY) and a wallpaper steamer. The stock should be air dried for best results.

[HappyJack]

Do you need an alternative species of wood or an alternative steaming method?

I once saw Roy Underhill (Woodwright's Shop) use towels or burlap sacks soaked in boiling water to "steam" a single plank. Took about an hour or so but worked - a one-off solution.


Scotty

[DavidF]

Me not so smart. I have a couple hundred feet of hackmatack air drying in the boatshed. It doesn't match the color of the fir but it is superior.

I tried the towel steaming trick but the fir was too dodgy. I'll post pics under separate cover.

[merlinron]

i once read an article about using a solution of downy brand fabric softener and water in a 4 in. black pvc pipe with the ends caped. throw the piece in pour in the solution cap it off and set it in the sun for a few hours. according to the article the piece came out like a wet noodle. think it might have been in a Fine Woodworking mag about 10-15 yrs. ago? ....anyone ever try this?