Has anyone experimented with using steam to bend wooden stems, purchased or self made? What were your experiences, techniques, frustrations, results, etc.?
Wood makes for a lousy stem because you end up with the stem and shank both swelling due to heat and moisture...and then there's the issue of gnawing through the stem like an oversize termite. Bending a stem is possible- steam it liberally and use a clamp with a male and female part to squeeze it into the bend and then hold it for 24 hours....