Barrel

Staves planed to height and cut to length, ready for shaping on router table.

Barrel

Staves wedged into temporary hoop in preparation for steam bending.

Barrel

Testing of ratcheting cable clamp. This tool wraps a cable around the base of the staves. Using a come-along ratchet in line with the cable, the cable loops can be slowly contracted from a 25 inch diameter to 17.

Barrel

Barrel staves here being compressed by ratcheting cable clamp during burn out. The inside must be continuously wet down to facilitate steaming and prevent burning while the propane burner heats the inside of the wood.

Barrel

Head template used to trace out rough cut size onto slats

Barrel

Head rough cut on vertical bandsaw, ready for pegging.

Barrel

Head plate mounted on router table, cutting outside diameter. It rotates on a center pin which can be moved closer or farther from the cutting bit to accomplish any final diameter.

Barrel

Hoops held together by riveting. Here a rivet has been set on a peening block, which maintains the domed head shape while the stud is flattened

Barrel

Completed pair.

Barrel

Barrel

Water testing barrel. After a day of soaking, leakage reduced to dripping from croze joint, though not eliminated.