I need to know the best way to bend wood. I need to trim the bottom of a stair case with a 1×10. This 1×10 stands on edge and has a radius of about the siz e of a dining plate. I would like to know if laminating it is the best way. It will be pine. Would steaming it be e better solution. laminating it makes sense bit I need to be able to cut off the end,…STRAIGHT!. so I can butt cove up aginst it. Seems laminating would complicate that. Steaming on the other hand present its own dilemmas. any suggestions would be appreciated.
Also,..can someone tell me how to retrieve MY messages on this new web site, which, by the way I HATE!.
thanks
Replies
thats a tight radius. would getting plywood in 3/4", Make them into donuts and stack them up with a hollowed center, smooth the edge out and use pine veneer. around your donut. the extra veneer can go on the inside. Plywood would be stable and with the veneer youre hiding the plywood edges. Thats how i perceive this, but im only assuming things.
youre not going to steam that i dont think. laminating would be a pain the the @$$
Laminate it overlong on a form ..... I'd use a bandsaw to make 1/8 +- strips.....glue/clamp onto the form. When dry....sand/ finish/cut to size and apply.
Or just go to Home Depot. The wood is pre-bent, though that might even be a stretch for them!
Use benderboard and veneer, if you decide to resaw and laminate lumber, you will need about 3/32 pieces to bend, and you will encounter more spring back with the finished product. I would use the 5/16 thick bender board, about 30 bucks for a 4x8 and the leftovers are real handy to have around the shop.
Sounds like you are making a starting step. I've worked in a millwork shop for the past 25 years and for your application the bender board/veneer is the way to go. In the shop I would make the riser of a starting step by kerfing the riser w/very thin blades on a sliding table saw; then bend w/glue blocks in the rear. That's not practical for a one time deal in the field..........go with the bender board, it's great stuff!
I agree with the others; kerf bending by preference, but it may take a few tries to figure it out, or bender board, wacky wood, whatever you want to call it....bendable plywood. Or, if it's to be painted, there is Kerf-core (sp)....MDF that is already kerfed and ready to go.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
I have no idea what a bender board is...I hope it isnt anything like a board stretcher..c'mon now. I fell for that one once...now I am paranoid. Where do I get this bender board.
It is real, I get mine from Kitts, a cabinet builder and millwork supplier.
Why bend it?
Get JJ's band saw and a piece of pine log with a sufficient diameter that's 10" long. Just cut out a 1" thick piece you need in whatever shape necessary to fit the job.
My bandsaw only has 6" capability. That would eb an option. Maybe overkill though.
I am leaning towards laminating it in my shop one day and using a form to glue it into shape. Taking it back and CAREFULLY cutting it. I was worried about burning too much wood to get it into 3/32, ( since I will have to thickness plane it { riser is 10 1/2"; bandsaw dilema}) but it will be only about 1 foot long peice of bent pine. I cant really think of a more realistic way. The job starts tommorow so I need to make a decision. Somehow I always make it work...cross your fingers for me.
thanks