Adair is quite right. Depending on size, soak time gets progressively longer. Small size can just be heated with a small torch. Larger than pencil size, wrap with wet folded paper towels then wrap with aluminum foil and heat with small torch. When it is "steamed" hold steady pressure until it moves. It might take several minutes so protect any foliage or live veins.Soak it with hot water. Steam it.
Adair is quite right. Depending on size, soak time gets progressively longer. Small size can just be heated with a small torch. Larger than pencil size, wrap with wet folded paper towels then wrap with aluminum foil and heat with small torch. When it is "steamed" hold steady pressure until it moves. It might take several minutes so protect any foliage or live veins.
Adair,Soak it with hot water. Steam it.
I would try warm, wet towels ( maybe not steaming) to soak the deadwood, then slowly put in some bend using a jack. Soak some more, then bend. Soak, then bend. You might do this over a couple days.Adair,
I need to try this as well but have a live vein attached to the deadwood to be bent ( mid point of a too long straight section of a branch ). How much abuse can the live vein take before I have damaged it and could I just soak all in warm but not hot wet towels until I can feel the flex coming back to the deadwood? I also hate the thought of splitting the deadwood from the live vein at the risk of ruining the look of it now ( almost perfect ).
Thoughts anyone?
Regards,
Leonard
I thought to try this after the summer heat has dropped off?I would try warm, wet towels ( maybe not steaming) to soak the deadwood, then slowly put in some bend using a jack. Soak some more, then bend. Soak, then bend. You might do this over a couple days.
Adiar,I would try warm, wet towels ( maybe not steaming) to soak the deadwood, then slowly put in some bend using a jack. Soak some more, then bend. Soak, then bend. You might do this over a couple days.
Thanks all, I will be posting photo's of the deed as it unfolds.Late fall is the best time to do heavy bending on Juniper. The live vein will be more tightly bound to the hardwood. Especially if you're gonna twist.
Adair, I did try the boiling water method. I had a long straight deadwood jin that had a substantial crack at the base. I broke it off and wrapped in paper twel and then wired with a larger copper wie. I threw the whole thing in boiling water and left for 15 minutes and removed. Using thick leather gloves I put a 90 degree bend in the assembly and let it stand to cool and then let it stand overnight to dry out. Next day I removed paper towels and wire to check and the deadwood ( which now has a perfect 90 degree bend). All that is left to do is to superglue the deadwood back in position and admire the whole new design.I would try warm, wet towels ( maybe not steaming) to soak the deadwood, then slowly put in some bend using a jack. Soak some more, then bend. Soak, then bend. You might do this over a couple days.