Steam Box Instructions

[heartwood]

Heartwood Window Restoration PO Box 114 1605 Mohawk Trail Charlemont, MA 01339 Jade Mortimer 413-625-8680

STEAMBOX instruction basics....

use 2" foil faced (foil face both sides) rigid insulation panel carried by most lumber yards

build the box size to accommodate your sash size--3'x3' or perhaps 4'x4'

for 3’x3’, cut two 3’x3’ pieces (sides), two 12"x36" pieces (top and bottom), one 12"x40" for rear panel and one 10" x 36" for door. (Make larger or small depending on the size of your sash.

make sure all cuts are as square as possible (use a straight edge, like a yard stick or 4 foot drywall square...use a SHARP utility knife and score along the line, then pass the knife a couple more times at that line...turn over and cut the other side through)

tape all perimeters of each panel with FOIL tape (3" is best, 2” is good) before assembly

before assembly, make hole at the bottom rear of the box for the steam hose. cover the exposed insulation in the hole with aluminium tape

use a high temp silicone caulk to 'glue' pieces together (you may benefit from an extra pair of hands to steady the box)

apply foil tape (once again) to all connected areas...

for the door, cut two pieces of scrap wood about 3/4" square and 6" long. place one piece on the inside of the door, the other on the exterior then screw together using stainless steel screws...

use scrap wood to lay perpendicularly across bottom of the box to set the sash on. Make sure to let box dry thoroughly before using aluminium tape to cover any dents inside the box.

the steam box will accommodate 3-4 sash...let them steam for approximately 30-60 minutes depending the putty consistency...BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN REMOVING THE DOOR TO THE STEAMER!!! IT IS VERY HOT AND CAN BURN SKIN!! remove the door and stand back--allow the steam to dissipate before reaching in for a sash...i wear thermal gloves (basic cotton gloves with a rubber cover, available at most hardware stores)...there's a LOT of steam released so it's best to set the steamer outdoors or in a garage/shop with plenty of ventilation...you will have about 10 to 15 minutes to work on the sash before the putty becomes hard again...if necessary, put the unfinished sash back in the box and remove another to work on...the sash can remain in the box for hours without damage--you will not be horrified to pull out a drooping flexible sash!

some folks remove the putty and the paint with the steambox...i find that the wood tends to 'thread' when scraped because it is so wet...we let the sash sit overnight and remove the paint with a heatgun...the denser the wood, the less you need to worry about 'threading'...

materials to build a 3' x 3' box should run about $50-$60 plus the steamer....

STEAMER: Jiffy J-4000, stripped down model…There are numerous models with attachments for different applications, for sash work, get the plain jane model. Check out E-bay or Craig’s List or best price…Average cost is about $200+…I was able to purchase a new one for $40 from a clothes store that was closing…