Making Bending Molds From Router-Cut Plywood
When I made some plywood forms to laminate a curved headboard, I discovered this trick. If you cut the forms with a router bit the same diameter as the thickness of the laminated workpiece, you will automatically have the slightly different curves needed for the inside and the outside molds. They will fit perfectly when clamped up.
To make a matched pair of bending forms, screw a wooden bar to your router base to act as a trammel. Mark a centerline on a sheet of plywood, and lay out the locations of the slots. Rout the arcs, leaving a small piece uncut at the end of each radius to hold the sheet together. When done, cut the pieces to size. Stack the cut parts for inside and outside molds, and screw them together.
Ken Shaw, San Diego, Calif.
Fine Woodworking Magazine, April 1998 No. 129
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Incra Miter 1000HD
Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander
Hedgehog featherboards
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