Electric Steamers

[Alan Peck]

Does anyone have any experience with the Wagner Model 705 Power Steamer? The latest model is supposed to be 1500 Watts.

I will just be steaming 3/4x3/4 frames (about 8ft long) and the hood end of a few 1/2 planks.

Does this unit generate sufficient steam? I will only be being steaming a couple of frames per session.

Or should I just plant on a homemade propane powered unit?

Thanks

[pcford]

I use a wallpaper steamer for small stuff. $35 to rent. I think it would handle your scantling dimension.

[Paul Scheuer]

You should be fine with 1.5 KW. I ran 2 KW in my home made (2 dishwasher heaters) genertor until the power cord got warm, then throttled back to 1 KW. I got plenty of steam.

[ssor]

Steam contains 1000 BTU's per pound. There are 3000 BTU's in a kilowatt. Therefore 1500 watts will vaporize 4.5 pounds of water per hour. I don't know if that is enough, I just put it out there for what it might be worth.