>>Some time back I mentioned the giant steam box, 5' x 10' inside
capacity<<

Wow, that's gotta be the momma of all steam boxes. (can you climb in 
there and take a steam bath at the end of the day?) What are you using 
to generate steam for that? How many watts of electricity does it use?

We are using the baby (4' x 5') foam board steam box, light-weight, 
highly portable, or make one up at each job site for $50 materials and 3 
hours labor--powered by a 1500-2500 watt steam unit. Sash steam times 
are 15-20 minutes at box temps of 203 to 210 (sea level, still want to 
try it in Denver!) We improve through-put efficiency by 15-20% operating 
the box in a vertical position, sash sliding in and out vertically. 
Condensate drains off sash, wood damage is much less due to less liquid 
water soaking into wood. Recent improvements keep the steam in the box 
when sash are taken in and out. (at least 10% through-put increase, we 
expected better, but have done just one run so far) Glass breakage down 
by 10-12% compared to any dry-heat deglazing method.

 >>Hot in the
room though<<

We had to set up sash-steam operations in a collections exhibition area 
at the American Precision Museum in Vermont, where the steam may have 
condensed on the antique machinery. I set up RH & temp monitoring of air 
with dataloggers. We rigged the steam box for the steam to vent directly 
out doors. (and wondered if there is ever lead in the steam effluent, do 
you know if anyone has tested the method for that risk?)

John
by steam and heat we strip it neat

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