I kept seeing curved doors on cabinets, and so I designed two of these into my kitchen remodel. Now, I find I am building the cabinets myself. Nov. 2005’s issue of FHB has a one page, “Master Carpenter-beyond the basics” article written by Rex Alexander, showing how he made “A curved face for a corner cabinet.”
The product he used is described as 3/8″ “bending plywood.”
What is bending plywood, and from what kind of store might I purchase it?
How stable is this product in high humidity climates? (I live in North Florida where humidity is 60-70% at the warmest part of the day about 9 months of the year)
I welcome any other advice on creating curved verticle cabinet surfaces.
Replies
I can find it at my local hardwood dealer. It's not available at home depot or lowes. Check the phone book for a local lumber yard. If the one you call doesn't have it, it's common enough that they'll have a different store in the area for you. It's pretty cool stuff, the best way to describe is "floppy".
Don't have info on stability, sorry.
i asked my friend Google and this is one thing he came up with:
http://www.core77.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000537.html
i made a piece once, just ran a saw across the back side every 3/8ths of an inch, bent it, and veneered the back, but i don;t know how that would do in the high humidity. one way to find out!
or, buy it:
http://www.marineply.com/stagflex.htm
good luck.
Round here its called "wiggle wood". It can be purchased to bend either vertivally, or horizontally. Big boxes don't carry it. A good lumber yard, if they don't stock it, can certainly order it for you.
Properly installed and finished, humidity shouldn't affect it. That doesn't mean it can be submerged in water....but it won't be affected by your local climate.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
This material sounds excellent for my application. Thanks for your comments!
it's as stable as you make it; the finished surface can be glued on laminate or veneer or other- this gives it rigidity in its final form.
You can also get that at vandykes.com. 2 by 4 sheet is $11.99 (based on 2003 catalog).
Aaron
The plywood you are referring to is radiaa pine ( probably spelled wrong.) The lumber comes from Austraila. If you cannot find a source, call a cabinet shop. They should be able to supply you a small amount, or give you a source to get it.
mike
Dr. Becks,
What I have seen used over the years for radiused casework is from a company called Interior Products Inc
Called Kerf-Core and Timber Flex are the two products I am familiar with.
Bends down to a 5" radius I believe.
Wiggle wood availible @ REEL Lumber in Anaheim and Riverside, Ca.
Louis and Co. ,also sells a pre kerfed material that bends.
Stand by for web address.
TRIGGER
http://www.louisandcompany.com
and specificaly, http://www.louisandcompany.com/product_thumbs.aspx?page=4&SectionID=21&SubCategory=3924
TRIGGER
If you brouse the louis and co site you will also find pre bent panels at different radiuses.
TRIGGER
Here's a source in my area, here they call it wacky wood.
http://www.boulterplywood.com/
Click on products and at the bottom of the list is flexible plywood. Most exotic lumber yards will stock it. Try this link for one in your area. http://www.woodfinder.com/
Also, the people over in the knots forum are all the woodworkers, posting over there might get you local sources in florida they use. Knots is up above, right next to the breaktime link.