Thought there might be some folks in need occasionally, who don’t know about this stuff. This is an 8′ x 4″ rip of 3/8″ wiggle wood (4×8′ sheet of bending plywood). Daughter said – can you tie it in a knot?
Yes.
Forrest
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Replies
We call it "Funny plywood".
Have you seen the- I forget what the plywood rep called it.
One face is ply then the back looks like you cut kerfs across
the whole thing.
The idea is you bend it to the required curve and glue another piece
to the back locking it to the profile.
I've been looking for an excuse to try it.
PS
What's the plural of Kerf? Spell check is arguing with me.
What's the plural of Kerf?
Either kerfai or kerfs'z will do, but kerfs is more proper.--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Now I have to slip it in casual conversation ;) "My, madam what lovely kerfs'z you have!"
More like "Gee lady, you coitainly got some wuvly coifs'z there. You must be dwivin' da guys'z cwazy!"--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
How did you get that past the censors?
Keep them confused. It's not all that difficult. :)--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
I just used a piece for the seat of a curved chair. Worked perfect and a ton easier than gluing up solid wood and shaping with rounds.
I tied it in a knot also. Kids want to know if I can make a slide for the pool.
The stuff I used is 3/8" and solid on both sides. The grain all runs the same direction. There is a very thin piece of veneer in the center.
Edited 6/28/2008 10:17 pm ET by cmiltier
Edited 6/28/2008 10:17 pm ET by cmiltier
"Does your ply hang low?
Does it wobble to and fro?
Can you tie it in a knot?
Can you tie it in a bow?
Can you throw it o'er your shoulder like a Continental soldier?
Does your ply haaaang looowww.....?"
Thanks folks, I'll be here all week!
We've always called it "wacky wood". I once used it to laminate up a curved rim joist for an interior balcony. It was pretty fun. I'd nail one layer of 1/4" on, roll on a thick coat of Tite-Bond with a heavy knap roller, and apply the next layer. Lather, rinse, repeat. It worked out really well.
The stuff we had was similar to what another poster described.... finished both sides, grain running in all the same direction, and a thin darker layer in the middle. I remember that when ordering it I could choose which direction I wanted the grain running.... depending on how I was going to use the sheet.
I also saw a tight conical tower sheathed in two layers of it once as well. Not my frame though.
I've used a big bunch of bendable ply. Standard sizes are 4x8 ( called barrel bend ) and 8x4 ( column bend ), in 1/8 and 3/8". 1/8 is smooth on one side and 3/8 is course on both sides. Larger sizes are available, but spec. order. The stuff with the kerfs talked about, that I'm familiar with have a kerfed PB side and are Kerfkore ( paper backed ) --Timberflex ( ply backed ) -- Flexboard ( hardboard backed ), they all come in several sizes and barrel or column.
Of course for small project uses where you need a different and ready to go pc. you could make your own kerfed ply. I regularly make my own round ( bullnosed ) starter steps for stair jobs, and have adapted an old sawbuck to be a kerfing machine. her is a cut off I bent tight and glued ( too much time on my hands ), which is kerfed down to 1/8" and 3/16" spacing.
Roger
Wow! That's tight. I can do it from flat sheetmetal -
View Image
Forrest
Edited 6/29/2008 2:26 pm ET by McDesign
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Interesting subject here.
I have been doing curves for years.... Long story.
The bendable 3/8" ply is actually tradenamed "Performa". It serves a purpose but takes alot of work to get a smooth finish.
Not sure which MDF mfgr. supplies my cabinet house but they have a curfed 1/4" barrel or column that I have just used a ton of.
It does give a smooth finish and glues up quite rigid. It is also a bear to work with. It somewhat desintegrates when you rip the panels and it is literally unable to take fasteners. Best we found was 1/4" crown staples. That being said forms and cauls is the best way to work it but that is slow too.
My $0.02
OOPS Forgot to add I have also steambent alot but that is slow too.
Another interesting bending product is 1/8" Baltic Birch ply. It only seem to come in 5' x 5' sheets here.
On a hill by the harbour
Edited 6/29/2008 5:41 pm by Novy