Thread: how do i bend it?

For the sizes you're talking about, it's easy enough to make a steamer.

Got a BBQ? How about a largish pot to sit on top? An old jam boiler or open-top 20L drum perhaps? Just make a wooden lid to sit on top, with a chimney for the steam to escape... and to dangle your timbers down.

I occasionally make just such devices from scrap ply for exactly your reason. (And scrap 'em afterwards, due to lack of storage space. )


Whether you steam or not, I'd look at laminating up the back piece from thin(nish) strips. How thin they need to be is determined by how springy the wood is. Thin enough that you can bend it by hand over your knee, at least. (This is where steaming makes things easier. You don't need to go as thin! )

Second, I'd build up a form to clamp the pieces to, basically the same profile as the inside face of the back of the chair.

Collect all the strips you need to build up the laminate, coat both sides with glue (except the first or last, of course) and quickly laminate the pieces together.

Clamp one edge of the whole assembly to the form then, working quickly while the glue is still wet, start to bend it around the form, clamping every few inches until you get the last edge clamped. If you started off with all strips of the same length, the back-most pieces will 'step in' as you bend around the curve, so it's best to make all the pieces at least an inch or two longer than you think you need to avoid running short... and to give yourself "trim room."

Leave for a couple of days, to ensure the glue has well'n'truly gone off.

I'm sure others will suggest alternative methods, but this is how I would - and do - go about it.

G'day Pappy
Do a Google for hot pipe bending. There are a bunch of videos .
Regards
Joe

If you check with some of the major PLYWOOD RETAILERS , they should stock a bendable ply , specifically for what you are doing, this PLY will bend to reasonably tight curves and when done in layers , it should suit your needs.

Just stain to match the rest of the stool.

Jeff

"how do i bend it?"... like beckham does

I once made some curvy sides for a CD storage unit by bandsawing some timber to the required shape (four per piece of ply, one on each edge, and corresponding pieces on the other side of the ply, clamped them together, tightening the clamps from time to time, then left them for a while when the clamps were tight. After a couple of weeks the ply, when removed, had taken up the desired curve. Do this with a number of pieces, then glue them together,clamping them in the formers until the glue is dry.
...Keith

I'd go with cold laminate bending as described by Skew. It's quick, effective and looks good. If you use epoxy and tint it with brickies pigment the lamination won't be visible.

My favorite way to bend chair backs is dry bending thin strips, like Skew ChiDAMN mentioned. A steamer works OK too, but remember that it is not the moisture from the steam that will make the wood conform to your mold. It is the heat and only the heat. Steam it a good way to transfer heat. His suggestion of a steamer box is good too. It does not need a chimney, but must not hold pressure, then the temp. will never exceed 212 degrees, which is the perfect temp for losening wood fibers. Also remember that wood fibers will not stretch, but the inside of your bend will compress. If you use steam you must factor in spring back when it is released from the clamps, but if you can cut laminate strips thin enough that they do not break with a dry run, after the glue dries there is no spring back. Thin strips can be cut on a table saw or a bandsaw. Hope this helps and good luck.
zyzyk

You can get creative with a tea pot, hot plate and some hose for a steamer.

The easiest is to get a thick piece of wood (laminate if need be) and band saw your curved piece vertically out of that.
Regards

TO bend your chair backs, make a JIG to the size (slightly oversize) & shape , and using your preferred timber glue and clamp into the jig.

If using the bendable ply once laminated and glued it will hold it's shape .

Remember to coat the jig with plastic to stop the glue sticking .

If using ordinary PLY cut on a bias IE: 45 deg, and it will flex , however you will use more material.

Jeff