Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Sep 02, 2005 04:32pm | #1

   Call your local sheet goods supplier first. If they don't have it and it can't be shipped, you could make your own from cherry ply with a series of kerf cuts, distance between each kerf depending on radius of bend, cutting 7/8ths thru the ply.

    

2. 
   notDusty | Sep 02, 2005 05:18pm | #2

                Yo dude ,

                               Depending on the dimensions of the pieces there are several ways Jackplane gave you a great way to go and one possible other that I have used may depend on the exact curve you need but here goes. If you sand off the back side of a piece of plywood down to a cross band of alternating grain you can usually bend the material. You may have to sand down several plys and experiment with the same type of material you want to use , or veneer it and cover the substrate .

                    good    luck         dusty

3. 
   Steinmetz | Sep 02, 2005 09:23pm | #3

   Dude, Google up 'Bendable Ply' or open my attachment Steinmetz.
   (Or, both?)

   
4. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 03, 2005 06:57pm | #4

   Hey Dude, Good timing with the question.  I've got two sleigh beds being assembled in my shop right now.  Depending on how much curve you plan to use, you are going to mess up the surface a little on a bending ply.  You will get little cracks because the grain of the plys all runs the same way, except for one in the middle.  The stuff I use has a rough luan (I think) surface that I scrape smooth after I've got the bend I need.  I don't think you'll want to bend the show stuff too much.  This might work with several thin layers (1/4" or less) of bending ply, without much bend.  I tried to use standard 1/4" ply first rather then bending ply, but it won't work very well.  It takes about twice the force to bend it as it does the 5/16" bending ply. 

   I then veneer over the ply with a backer veneer, both sides.  You wouldn't believe how much strength a little sheet of veneer will add.  After you have the backer on and dried, you can add the show veneer.  I use 5/16" ply (the only thing I can easily find) and vacuum press it to my forms, with the backside backer.  Of course you need a form.  I use polystyrene insulation sheets. 

   BTW, I highly recommend you get a vacuum press if you do it the way I just described. 

    

   Steve
1. 
   Lilshaver | Sep 03, 2005 08:51pm | #5

   The dirtstirrer is right-on. Use this as an opportunity to get into vacuum veneering. Coincidentally, it was a sleigh bed that got me started. You'll never look back. For a lay-up, I use 1/8" luann ply top and bottom over 3/8" bending ply as a core. This sandwich is glued up first. Then I veneer top and bottom using the same mold. There have been many discussions regarding veneering, do some research.