Bending thin wood

[Wichman]

I have an idea for a project; cutting a design in thin wood and then bending it around a paper coffee cup, using a second cup to hold it in place while it dries. This would be used to augment the cup holder. This would not be a useable item, it would be far too fragile for use, it would sit on a shelf and be pretty.

Comments or suggestions welcome  

[Norm Fengstad]

Sounds like a good idea to try. i have bent wood for canoe paddles by soaking it in water first, one has to use a glue that works under wet conditions and for the life I can't remember the brand of glue I used 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Trying it is the best answer. But I do not think it will work because if you are cutting fret work with the bent wood you are reliving the pressure that is being applied to the fibers as you bend. I say it cracks where the cuts are made. Good luck.

[Scrappile]

For a paper cup to be used as a form for bending wood around, the wood would have to be almost paper-thin.   I am anxious to see what you come up with.

[rash_powder]

Menard's for sure has this, and sometimes Michael's, and maybe Hobby Lobby.  

1/32" ply wood.  It would probably be difficult to cut unless you stack maybe 8 pieces, but it would bend quite easily and being plywood it does have a bit of strength to it.  

Honestly, for that material, I would use a Cricut or a laser cutter.  It would be far easier, IMHO.  

[OCtoolguy]

We have a very good plywood seller near us that has 1/64" BB. I was amazed when I first saw it. I had no idea that it was even made.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

You can buy colored veneer that is 1/64". 1/32" and 1/64" BB plywood is super thin layer. 3  layers in them.  

[Wichman]

The thinnest material I could find is 1/16" basswood, they (Hobby Lobby) also had 1/16" balsa but it is a poorer grade.

I screwed up, I oriented the pattern 90° from what I should have. The wood did bend as I wanted, I'll see (and post pictures) after letting it dry for a few days. I use a non contact thermometer to determine dryness, check the temperature of the material and then the surrounding area, when the temperature matches, it's dry.

In the November 1998 issue of Creative Woodworks and Crafts magazine, there is an article on fan out birds. The article describes how to bend wood much more than what I am trying. I'm using the article as a guide for how long to soak the wood prior to bending. So far so good.

[rash_powder]

I have read that for bending wood you are going to want air dried rather than kiln dried.  I'm not sure why that is, never seen anything that explained the difference.  It may be tough to find air dried in the size you want.

[Wichman]

Here's some pictures for proof of concept

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

hey you got it done and looks nice. Now these are not knocks just thoughts. What happens when hot or cold is placed against it? I know you will seal it but what happens when wetness hits it. I see too many floating areas that can break off because they do not bend like in the lettering. Maybe if you used a different font whare all parts are touching. Finally being that thin it is fragile for an application where cups can be jammed in. Only bringing these up if you intend to sell or give away. if for your self go for it. 

[Wichman]

58 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

hey you got it done and looks nice. Now these are not knocks just thoughts. What happens when hot or cold is placed against it? I know you will seal it but what happens when wetness hits it. I see too many floating areas that can break off because they do not bend like in the lettering. Maybe if you used a different font whare all parts are touching. Finally being that thin it is fragile for an application where cups can be jammed in. Only bringing these up if you intend to sell or give away. if for your self go for it. 

Please reread the original post.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

4 hours ago, Wichman said:

Please reread the original post.

Got it. 

This would be used to augment the cup holder. This would not be a useable item, it would be far too fragile for use, it would sit on a shelf and be pretty.