Bending Ash?

[Dusty Yevsky]

I've got a small job that I need to bend some ash ( I know, it sounds obscene) I'm making some fins for a paddle board and want a protective rim strip on the fins. I want to bend the strips in about a 3" radius. I milled 1/8" strips and started to bend them but they started cracking a little. I'm thinking of steaming or soaking them. Any thoughts on this? The reason I'm asking instead of experimenting is I literally have only enough for the job. Any breakage will require a trip to the far away hardwood dealer.

[Jim Budde]

a few yeras ago I made ash mast hoops to an inside dia of 4". I just heated the 1/8 strips in boiling water and when I guessed they were limber enough I wrapped them around the circle mold. Worked just fine .. although somebody smarter than me probably has a better idea

[mobjack68]

Something that small?? use the pressure cooker!!

time, temp?? don't got a clue?? I guess use the green bean recipe...

If you cook it a while and need more limbers, hook her up and cook a little more...my .02

[JimD]

Ash steam bends very well.

[Dusty Yevsky]

Thanks! Just the info I was looking for.