In FHB 166 “Master Carpenter” pg 138, Rex Alexander uses bending plywood to make a curved door for a cabinet. I’ve gotten some 3/8 bending plywood to do a similar project, but I’m worried about how it will hold the curve. According to the photo on pg. 142, the bending plywood he uses holds a curve without bracing. Is this because of its being glued to the veneer? I had always assumed that bending plywood would need bracing if used as a cabinet door.
Anyone had experience here?
Thanks,
Brian
Replies
I was surprised to see that door, too. In my experience, using only two laminates gives some springback. That is, the curved door will have a larger radius than the bending form.
I have worked with bending plywood. We call it "wacky wood."
It may come in other thicknesses, but I've used it at 3/8". It is two layers of a luan-type wood, eack layer has like grain orientation (i.e., both the same), and a thin paper layer in between.
Depending on your needs, you can get the 4x8 sheets grain longways or grain shortways.
It will bend to a real tight radius, no problems with that.
The guy that made the curved doors used the bending ply as the core for the doors, and a layer of epoxy adhesive went between the two wacky wood layers, plus another layer of epoxy inside and out, for the bonding on of the veneer faces.
No springback to worry about in a sandwich like that.