Well, the tool you are using is actually one of the best ones, when you use boiling water to bend wood, it will bend very quickly! Now, why I am not using this system? Well, I try to stay away from any chemicals, such as paint thinner ( that is why I do not use oil based paints ), that may be bad to my health and that can catch fire and/or blow up, in the case of boiling water, you need to heat it and now you have a open flame ( Unless you using one of the new induction ranges ) and you are dealing with water that can burn you real bad if you spill it by accident.
Since I tend to be somewhat hipper, I am afraid that I may burn myself with such a setup, the tool I am using is a bit safer ( You still have to remember not to touch the end of it when in use ) I could have the pliers that crimp the wood in order to make it work, I may try that one in the near future, will see
Joe