How can I get wood to bend so it will be bent forever?

Question

I heard somethin' about steam but does it work please explain the process.

Answer 1

Yes, you have to steam it for several hours (more or less depending on the wood) and then immediately bend into the form you want then clamp it. If you are using small willow branches, sometimes you can get them to bend by soaking them in the bathtub over night.

Answer 2

You build a cabinet with a hose in the side for steam heat and slowly bend it as the water soaks in.It's an old cabinet makers trick.You have to make sure the wood doesn't dry unevenly or it will spring back out.Most carpenters don't have the time and use "Vinyl" wood strips that bend or carefully mitered cuts.About a month ago "This old house" had an episode on a curved staircase moulding.When the wood is bent it's held in a jig and kiln dried or laid in the sun.Why not try the "Ask this old House website",Tom Silva or Norm Abram would know more.

Answer 3

Steam works. You have to have a chamber big enough to hold the wood you want to bend. You have to have a steam generator. Pipe the steam into the enclosed chamber. The wood will get soft and pliable. Quickly take the wood out of the steam and put it in to a mold or pattern in which you want the wood bent. Let it sit for 24 hours.

Answer 4

This depends on the type of would and thickness. 4/4 White oak has excellent steaming and bending qualities. others include Ash, Hickory and Sytca Spruce. Also depending on the use for the bent wood there is a product called wiggle board or bender board plywood.

Answer 5

Steam it and put it into a fixture to hold it while it cools/drys.
The wood will really need to get moist.

Variants are how thick is the wood and source tree of wood.
complicated curves need more than one steaming session.

Answer 6

yes it can be done, look at guitars and violins for thin wood and custom banisters on staircases for larger.



OK depends on the size of the piece of wood you are trying to flex and bend. soaking, heating, flexing are the basics. depending on the wood you are working with and the thickness you may be in for a long process

Answer 7

Yes, if you don't have a way to steam it, you can also soak it in water, then bend it and clamp it. When it dries it stays bent

Answer 8

how will you be using the wood? walls, flooring,gardens???