Mike Cutler
07-27-2010, 3:21 PM
Hey folks.
I'm looking for some advice from real life experience bending wood. I've google searched SMC and the web,and have found a lof of info. Maybe too much info which is contributing to the confusion. Addtionally most of the tutorials are making parts for boat or chair backs, and arms.
Specifically I am building a Bow Front vanity with a granite top for our bathroom. This project will require that wood be bent to a radius of 32".
I need one piece that will have a cord length of 40" and the 32" radiuis for supporting the granite top. This one can be done as a bent form lamination, but I would like to steam bend the layers, let them dry, and then laminate them to minimize spring back.
The rails on the doors however will be solid 4/4, and maybe 5/4 . they also will conform to the front of the cabinet, so the 32" radius is what they will be bent to.
In my searching I have found that all of the net info recommends 1 hour per inch of thickness, yet Tage Frid recommends 1 hour per 1/4" of thickness in his book. Which is actually correct?
The other recommendation is to use Qsawn material and bend parallel to the grain? I believe that it is meant that once the piece is bent that the actual Qsawn face would be the edges of the rails on the doors, ergo as viewed from the butt end the grain would run parallel to the face.:confused:
One more question;
Can I route the profile for the frame and panel door construction into the rails prior to bending.
I plan to use bending plywood for the door faces, or do my own face panel ply glue-up and bend it to form.
The Vanity will be painted, so the species of wood isn't as important as the ease of bending, the predictability of spring back, and the ease of painting.
Any recommendations on material selection would be welcomed.
TIA
Mike
I'm looking for some advice from real life experience bending wood. I've google searched SMC and the web,and have found a lof of info. Maybe too much info which is contributing to the confusion. Addtionally most of the tutorials are making parts for boat or chair backs, and arms.
Specifically I am building a Bow Front vanity with a granite top for our bathroom. This project will require that wood be bent to a radius of 32".
I need one piece that will have a cord length of 40" and the 32" radiuis for supporting the granite top. This one can be done as a bent form lamination, but I would like to steam bend the layers, let them dry, and then laminate them to minimize spring back.
The rails on the doors however will be solid 4/4, and maybe 5/4 . they also will conform to the front of the cabinet, so the 32" radius is what they will be bent to.
In my searching I have found that all of the net info recommends 1 hour per inch of thickness, yet Tage Frid recommends 1 hour per 1/4" of thickness in his book. Which is actually correct?
The other recommendation is to use Qsawn material and bend parallel to the grain? I believe that it is meant that once the piece is bent that the actual Qsawn face would be the edges of the rails on the doors, ergo as viewed from the butt end the grain would run parallel to the face.:confused:
One more question;
Can I route the profile for the frame and panel door construction into the rails prior to bending.
I plan to use bending plywood for the door faces, or do my own face panel ply glue-up and bend it to form.
The Vanity will be painted, so the species of wood isn't as important as the ease of bending, the predictability of spring back, and the ease of painting.
Any recommendations on material selection would be welcomed.
TIA
Mike