Carpentry and Woodworking - IsThereA Way ToGentlyBend?
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platinumedition
06-04-03, 07:16 AM
I am considering trying my hand (first time) in doing a woodworking project all by myself. It will be a bed headboard. I want it to gently round at the top and I would like to attach some moulding to the top of it. Is there a way that I can get purchaed moulding to bend gently so that I can get it fit around the curve at the top?
Is there something special that I should know, or should I just put this project on the shelf before I spend money and energy on it? I would like to try this over the upcoming weekend as my husband will be out of town. I want to surprise him when he returns.
Thanks for any help..
Is there something special that I should know, or should I just put this project on the shelf before I spend money and energy on it? I would like to try this over the upcoming weekend as my husband will be out of town. I want to surprise him when he returns.
Thanks for any help..
chfite
06-04-03, 09:37 PM
Bending wood follows one of two routes. Steam bending or lamination over a form. Bend molding is generally made the second way. Thin strips of wood, 1/8", are layered and glued and clamped over a form. Once dry, they are cleaned up and run through a shaper to cut the profile in the bent material. It is possible to bend regular molding to some extent, but it would be experimental just to see what could be accomplished with what you can get. Most stock molding will be fir and its tendency to be brittle will work against you.
HTH
HTH
platinumedition
06-05-03, 05:18 AM
Thank you so much for your thoughts. Guess I will have to come up with another solution for finishing the edge. Anyone out there have any suggestions. Thanks.
Tn...Andy
06-06-03, 03:30 PM
Actually, in addition to what Chris said, I can think of a couple other routes you might could go....
Depending on HOW your moulding is going to attach to the headboard, you might be able to saw some kerf cuts in the back of your moulding close together and that will let you make a gentle bend....you just have to have some way to hide the saw cuts...
The other way is to cut a strip of curved wood out of a wide pc of wood, then IF you can find someone locally with a small moulder, like my Williams/Hussy, you could have a custom pc made.....or you might find someone, or buy yourself a hand moulding plane and make it like they did in the old days...planing it by hand.
OR....you might just a decorative router bit like an ogee and make a pattern right into the headboad and forget the moulding altogether......
Just other things to consider....
Depending on HOW your moulding is going to attach to the headboard, you might be able to saw some kerf cuts in the back of your moulding close together and that will let you make a gentle bend....you just have to have some way to hide the saw cuts...
The other way is to cut a strip of curved wood out of a wide pc of wood, then IF you can find someone locally with a small moulder, like my Williams/Hussy, you could have a custom pc made.....or you might find someone, or buy yourself a hand moulding plane and make it like they did in the old days...planing it by hand.
OR....you might just a decorative router bit like an ogee and make a pattern right into the headboad and forget the moulding altogether......
Just other things to consider....