Dukester wrote:
After putting down hardwood floors recently, I'm covering the edges with a
red oak quarter round. One area has a 14' half circle - it's a bow window
area. What is the best way to install the quarter round in this area? The
pieces are 8' long and 5/8" thick. I doubt the pieces would make the bend
in 8' and 6' pieces without cracking. Should I use smaller pieces, kerf
the back, soak the pieces in water around a mold? Not sure how to do
this...

Thank for tips. Cheers!
Dukester
Dennisketch suggests:
The best solution that I have found for bending mouldings to a radius
is to make yourself a simple steamer. In your case an 8' length of
galvanized downspout pipe,(this is the pipe used to drain water off
your roof),it can be the square type or the round. Cap off one end.
Drill 2-3 small holes in this cap1/16" or so.Put your mouldings in the
pipe. Slip a 90 degee bend onthe open end,this will keep the molding
from sliding out, this should fit over the spout of a tea kettle that
will produce all the steam you need to make your moldings pliable, in
about 30 minutes of boiling water to create the steam. I use a small
hotplate as a heat source. I do this on the floor of my shop of my shop
with the pipe supported by wood blocks.Be careful...once the steam
starts the pipe will get very hot. when it has steamed for about 30min.
Let it cool to where you can handle it with gloves.Overbend the molding
while it is warm. Allow it to cool in this shape, and it will stay in
this shape. I use this process for building wood boats. Have fun, be
safe!