I have a need for bending 3/4″ and thicker Teak for chair arms and other parts alike. Has anyone done or heard of someone doing this successfully?
I am able to laminate/cold bend, but a solid bend sure would look better.
From what I understand, the oil that helps teak resist rot and bugs at a cellular level also keeps the steam from penetrating the cell walls of the wood. This being what enables the steam to plasticize the wood.
High pressure compression is not an option for me. The secret must be in penetrating the wood. Maybe soaking and steaming it in alcohol? Sounds strange, but the oil is not water soluble. I think I need to steam it in something that will flush the oils out allowing me to steam it with water the second go around. Any thoughts are welcome.
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bending teak
I would suggest that you order and read the little book that I have provided a link to below, and don't trust your intuition just yet.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=31161&cat=1,45866,45867&ap=1
Some woods bend much better than others. Generally, hardwoods bend better than soft. Teak is not a good bender, not because of oil, but mostly tending to be lighter and brash.
If you want something with similar looks and good decay resistance, I would consider walnut, W Oak, Black Locust.
Try this with a piece of scrap.
An article right here talks about bending by soaking the wood in hot water, not boiling but hot and adding Suavitel, or fabric softener. Apparently it works just as good as steaming and might be the solution for oily woods. Heck I am even thinking of trying it with kiln dried wood, since it is all I can get in Mexico.
I have not read the Lee Valley booklet, but do have Fine Woodworking on Bending Wood and Wood Bending Handbook by N. Turner, W.C. Stevens. Neither, from what I remember, talks of Teak much. I am currently reading Understanding Wood by R. Bruce Hoadley to see if I can find some more insight. Ill order the Lee valley book nest time I order from there. Do you have a digital copy you can send me?
It’s a free book, so I am sure Lee Valley would not mind. Walnut is a great wood to bend. Unfortunately, I have to use kiln dried Teak.
I have not seen the article on soaking wood in fabric softener. Sounds interesting; I’ll look for it and give it a try. How long does it take to get to the center off a 4/4 board? 1…2…3……..
I don't know about the bending. But, if you can't find a good solution for bending lumber that thick, you might consider laminating thinner pieces to get the thickness and shape you need. A lot more work--especially the initial set up of forms and cauls, but it would work.
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