Wood bending tips needed

[Retired Scroller]

I'm starting a box project that has a curved top. Since I have never bent wood ( this calls for 1/4") I am looking for input on how to do this. The box lid is bent down to 1/4" from center to box sides. Is any wood better than others? I am planning to use white oak. Thoughts on clamps is also appreciated.

[Scrappile]

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

My answer is do not bend it. Not worth the effort. If you need the curve then make staves and do it in pieces. Angle cut the sides so that it forms the arc needed and glue back together. Much more stable. 

[WayneMahler]

Lots of ways to address this. Bending wood you need to make a form and a steam bending box. Long process but works great. You can also cut it on a band saw depending on your equipment. You can make a jig and create the inside on a table saw carefully. Then trim the outside and sand the to a finished dimension. But JT probable stated the easiest way cutting staves and gluing together. I've done this in all the processes described but  it comes to the wood of choice and the properties of that that wood.

[LindaB]

I've never steamed wood for fine woodworking jobs but I've steamed a fair bit of large, heavy wood for marine uses (sailboat repairs).    The last job I did was to steam a 6" bow into a 14" wide by 7' long piece of sapele - which is notorious for not steaming well.    

It's not hard.    You need steam, an insulated boxand patience.    Build a steam box out of home insulation board - the stuff available 1" thick with foil coating in sheets from the big box stores - scraps  or busted ends would be plenty for a small project.   Gorilla glue.  The steam box doesn't have to be pretty.   For the big boards I did recently,  though, the thing looked a lot like a very well insulated coffin!     I use a wallpaper steamer to input steam, and a good thermometer in a vent hole to monitor.   You have to get the whole mess up over 205 F for a fairly long time (4-5 hours for that huge piece of sapele, a half hour for more sensible size pieces of wood).  White oak steams very very well - green cut oak, even better.     All bent wood rocking chairs - as well as traditional sailboat ribs - are made from white oak for a reason.   

When it comes out of the steam box be prepared to work FAST to clamp it to the shape you need - better have a form ready and clamps at hand immediately.   As soon as the wood cools off it won't bend anymore so you need to be very organized and prepared on this step.    You may need to "overbend" it a bit since it may spring back a bit after it cools.... experiment some.

For little bitty pieces you might try just wrapping them in a very wet terry rag and applying a steam iron to the sides, adding water and heat for a good 15 minutes or more til the wood gets hot.   This works fine for little pieces of oak ... for big long thick sapele, not so much.

Try steaming, it's fun.   Somewhere in the basement I have a piece of 1" x 1" oak tied into a nice figure 8 knot.    Its an odd looking thing once it's cooled and set! 

[Rockytime]

Hi Linda, I see you are a newbie here. Welcome to the Village. I don't see much in your profile. Perhaps you could mention a little about yourself. Many would like to get to know you and also welcome you. If possible you might post something you have done. Seems you might experienced in different things some would like to see. Again, welcome!

[LindaB]

Hi Rockytime - thanks for the welcome.   I'm a total complete absolute beginner newbie to scrolling - I have only had my saw about a week.    I'm really having fun but still learning a lot about selection of blades, woods, tensions, speeds, etc etc.    I've done a fair bit of woodworking in other things; notably boat repairs and building, some cabinetry, general home stuff.   I've also worked in metal shops off and on for many years.   Anyhow, I'm no where near ready to post any work (unless you want to see a lot of crooked cuts and mangled fretwork!), but maybe soon.   It is such fun.    I shouldn't have jumped right into this thread, but steam bending is something I've done quite a bit of.   Scrolling, not at all.

[Rockytime]

Hi LindaB, crooked cuts and mangled fretwork is good. Even designer sawdust is good. We're just glad you found and joined us!

[Jim Finn]

I have bent 1/8" Oak a few times by soaking it in water for three days, bending it into a form and allowing to dry for three days.  

[Rockytime]

I've worked on many humpback clocks . The hump being made by making numerous cuts close together in the wood, then bending it and covering with veneer. Furniture is also made this way.

[loftyhermes]

You can bend thin wood with heat, Google bending iron. 

[Retired Scroller]

I finally completed the bent lid box, in-between other projects. I used pins, glue and clamps to make the lid bend. Since it was only a 7 degree bend it was not too hard. Thanks for all the input that I will reference for other projects.

[dgman]

Beautiful work Dave! What kind of wood did you use?

[Scrappile]

WOW! What a beautiful box!!  Is the pattern available somewhere?  You really did an awesome job.

[Hudson River Rick]

Retired Scroller, sorry I couldn't find your name on the post.  You did an excellent job on that beautiful box, if it's gift, get ready for a zillion THANK YOU'S.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[OCtoolguy]

On 10/19/2018 at 7:15 AM, Retired Scroller said:

I finally completed the bent lid box, in-between other projects. I used pins, glue and clamps to make the lid bend. Since it was only a 7 degree bend it was not too hard. Thanks for all the input that I will reference for other projects.

That's gorgeous. You do some fine work.

 

[OCtoolguy]

We really do need some more icons on this forum. A great big "wow" would be great.

 

[Woodmaster1]

Awesome box! Great job.

[Retired Scroller]

Thanks for the great comments. I used 1/4' red oak for most of the box. I did use 1/4" white oak for a few of the parts though. Not by intent but by necessity (ran out of red oak)! It's a Wlildwood design (pattern 62341 Treasure Chest). Seems I look for more challenges after cutting for 2 years. This was cut with a Craftsman saw I have used since I started. Came across a good deal for a Dewalt saw package with stand and light. Probably saved around $200 on the Grizzly site. A friend has been using one and really likes it. Great reviews.

Anyway, "Don't worry, be happy"

 

Edited October 21, 2018 by Retired Scroller

[Scrappile]

If you enjoy cutting challenges check out finescrollsaw.com.  It has beautiful stuff a Pedro is great to so business with.  I recommend ordering the paper copies of the patterns.  If you get the electronic ones they are hard to print to the correct size because of the different size paper in Spain.  Usually cost me a little less than $7 to get the pattern mailed to me.

I have done the "Dutch Box" and the "Five Dragon Box" have about 4 more of his box patterns to do someday.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Scrappile