On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:07:19 -0400, Bewet Miller
wrote:

I don't think I phrased the SUBJECT very well so pardon me on that.

I'm trying to fabricate a broken piece on a chair. It appears to be
made from 5 or 6 layers of thin oak that are laminated together and
bent at a near 90 degree angle.

I've been pretty successful in the small amount of work I've done
(very small) with laminating thin strips of wood so this must not be a
difficult thing to do.
My problem is how to make the wood more flexible
Do you soak it in water? Boil it? Pray over it?
And while I've made a form to help it hold its shape I'm not sure of
the steps involved.

It would seem that I'd make the wood bendable, place my glue, layer
the pieces, then apply my clamps. Is this right?

It would make more sense then making the piece of laminate and then
trying to bend it and that is why I'm asking.
When things seem perfectly reasonable, and I never had a doubt, I
usually bunk it up.

Any help on this subject, thoughts, opinions or the like are welcomed.
Off topic replies (Laminate sucks! or Dude! Your killing trees when
you cut wood) or flames will be fwd'ed to my M-I-L (note that is M-I-L
not MILF ).

Thanks
Bmiller


Some kinds of wood bend easier than others and green wood bends the
easiest. You will need to make a form. I use MDF with holes that I
can use for clamping the steamed wood. Steam strips inside a PVC pipe
standing in boiling water. Loosely plug the top with a rag. Steam
for about an hour, maybe less for 1/8" thick strips. Within 20
seconds move the steamed strips to the form and clamp. When strips
dry, remove them then glue them up and clamp in the form. Figure
about 6% springback so make a 84.5-degree form. Laminates made this
way are very strong which is why quality stairway banisters are made
this way. BBQ tongs and leather gloves are recommended. Steamed
wood is somewhat rubbery, but for just a few seconds.