PVC Steambox to Steam Wood

This instructable will go through a step by step process of making a Steambox to steam wood. Other steambox variations are made from wood, however this was the cheaper way to do it.

MATERIALS
-Section of 4" PVC pipe QTY: 1
(Mine came in a 10' section, 4" You can use bigger or smaller, this is what I chose)
-PVC 4" Cap QTY: 1
-PVC 4" Female Adapter QTY: 1
-PVC 4" Threaded Plug QTY:1
-5" Carriage Bolts QTY: 2
-Section Flexible PVC 1/2"
-PVC Primer
-PVC Cement
-Copper 1" to 1/2" fitting QTY: 1
-Moolah = Cash

Tools
-Mitre Saw
(I used a Sliding mitre saw because of the diameter of the pipe"
-Drill
-1/2 and 15/64 Drill bits
-Newspaper
-Papertowels

Cut Section of PVC to desired length. I just added a half foot to the workpieces that I'll be steaming. My tube came out at about 54 inches.

Sorry No pictures of this one.

SUGGESTIONS:
PVC makes a ton of mess when you cut it. Cut it outside, or over a trash can or something easy to clean up. Also, 4" is alot for a miter saw to handle, so you may have to cut halfway through, and rotate it, cut doesn't have to be perfect, but try you're best.

Clean the tube as well as possible. I used a paper towel. Next apply primer to the tube, I would suggest applying it when the tube is on its side, or you'll make a huge mess like my old man did when he applied the first little bad, after that he wasn't allowed to touch anything.

Apply the primer to both the end, and to the cap, quickly apply cement to cap, Don't puddle it, but be gracious with the amount applied. Apply cap QUICKLY!!! and give it a 1/4 turn.

Next the other end. Apply primer to both Female adapter and the end of the tube. Apply cement, and install same way, remember the 1/4 turn as you insert the tube into the Female adapter.

Let it cure overnight, the package only says 2 hours, however I gave it a night to set.

I drilled two holes about 1/3 and 2/3 along the pipe. I drilled both holes along the writing on the pipe as to keep them level, so the board would sit level inside.

The drill bit I used wasn't long enough to drill through the diameter of the pipe. So I measure the length from one end of the pipe, and traced marks around to the other side, you can eyeball these, as nothing in this project was done exact to a measurement. Drill holes in both sides, and insert the 2 bolts and attach nuts.

Drill the holes over a trash can, as the PVC makes a ton of mess from 2 little holes.

Now I installed the hardware off center, as to allow more room in the tube, if it goes through the center you only have so much vertical height to work with.

Two more holes must be drilled, a 1/2" hole for the steam inlet, and a 5mm hole for a vent.

You've now created a steambox to use to steam wood. I'm planning on making another instructable on how to bend wood using a steam box. Stayed tuned for that installment.