Replies

1. 
   sapwood | May 01, 2006 10:11pm | #1

   I've had success by simply "kerfing" the ply. You don't need to do "v" cuts, simple straight cuts from the regular blade will allow the remaining plys to bend. The depth of the cut is what detemines the ease of bending, not the shape of the kerf.

   Doing simple cuts should half your time.

2. 
   JohnWW | May 01, 2006 10:19pm | #2

   There is no need to set the blade to 45 degrees, leave it vertical.  This is a common approach to the problem so you can probably achieve what you need.

   The easiest way to find the right set up is to make some sample strips, maybe 6" wide, out of the plywood you plan to use.  By varying the spacing, depth, and grain orientation of the visible face of the plywood you should be able to get a smooth bend of the needed radius.  You will learn everything you need to know, and the limitations of the technique, in a half hour of experimenting.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

3. 
   mike4244 | May 02, 2006 04:05pm | #3

   If the radius is very tight,hard to bend,the kerfs have to be deep. Kerfs must be same distance apart or you will get flat spots.Set up a jig to evenly space kerfs. Make them within a 1/16" of the face. Bend around a form if need be. If needed,glue a 1/16" backing veneer to the back of the radius.

   If the radius won't close up easily, put downy water softner in a vessel of very hot water.Soak the piece in it for 10 minutes.The radius should close up easily. When completely dry ,you can apply a backing veneer to strengthen it.

   Important to remember,kerfs must be evenly spaced and same depth.The cuts can be made with a tablesaw,blade at 90°.If the piece is long and unwieldy use a router with a narrow straight shank.

   mike

4. 
   notDusty | May 02, 2006 05:50pm | #4

   Hi gedaliahblum ,

                    You did not say what thickness the plywood needs to be , or if it will be a face grade appearance or covered with more material .

   The kerfing method may work out , but often times does not produce a smooth surface , the kerfs can telegraph thru the face and have an undesirable effect .

   If you make the kerf bent piece then cover it with say a piece of 1/4" the kerfs may go away .

   So , depending on the requirements of the finished thickness of your pieces another method I have used is to sand off a layer of the plywood to reach a crossband . This will greatly increase the bending ability of the plywood . On one job I started with 1/2" and sanded it down from one side close to 3/8" and glued 2 pieces together to make the 3/4" finished part .

    Experiment with the material that is available to to you and see for your self what works best for this particular application .

                   good luck hope this helps                 dusty

5. 
   mudman | May 02, 2006 08:23pm | #5

   I use a lot of "flex kerf" products. These are pre-kerfed ready to use panels that have radiuses from 2 feet to 4 inches. They offer many products for every application imaginable. The only catch is that is it is stain grade you will have to laminate a veneer to the outside. However in the time you have spent making your own bendy-ply you could have driven to a supplier, bought the materials and laminated the finished assembly. That is if it is taking as long as I imagine.

   I have made my own in the past but could never get a good bend. The most troublesome thing is that the face veneer would split on tighter radiuses. It cost a little less to use normal plywood and kerf it your self, but the results are not as good.

   Mike

6. 
   ring | May 03, 2006 08:46pm | #6

   gedalia,

   I hate to break this to you but you can get bendable ply in Israel.  Any big supplier will carry it, usually 8 mm thick but other thicknesses available.

   BTW, your kerfing system is fine but no need for the 45 deg cuts.

   DR (in the Galil)

1. 
   gedaliahblum | May 03, 2006 10:27pm | #8

   Dr,

   Thanks...do you have any numbers or places I can look. I am in Gush Etzion, though I buy my wood in Jaffo.

   What do you do up in the Galil?

   Gedaliah Blum

1. 
   ring | May 04, 2006 08:01am | #12

   Gedalia,

   I've had one workshop or another in Israel for over 30 years.  Nowadays we do mostly custom kitchens.  You can have a look at http://www.touchwood.co.il

   Regarding suppliers:  If you already travel to Yaffo, you should definitely be familiar with these guys for hardwoods -  May Hasharon, Segula Industrial Area (outside Petach Tikva)  phone 03-9343001.  Tell Elad I sent you.  My supplier of sheet goods is in Acco, a bit far from you.  But I'm sure that if he's gotten me bendable ply then any big supplier should also.  Have a look at Weizman in Netanya.  They carry Baltic birch ply in all thicknesses as well as other specialty stuff.  Should have the bendable as well. 

   DR

1. 
   gedaliahblum | Sep 26, 2006 10:34am | #18

   Shalom,<!----><!----><!---->

   I wanted to ask you a couple questions. I hope you can answer them. First, do you know where I can purchase a good mortiser? I haven't the slightest idea of which company’s make professional quality. <!----><!---->

   Also, I understand that your shop is located in the Galil. My wife would like to move up there and I am trying to get an idea as to whether it is realistic. The main factor would be whether I could find work or not. Are you looking for anyone in the next year? I would like to visit your shop sometime anyway. Also, what is the market here for salary for a furniture maker? <!----><!---->

   Again, I am on my own and doing fairly well. Being from <!----><!----><!---->America<!----><!----> more Americans are finding there way towards me. I do have a good chance in being successful here. I just wanted to see if I had any other possible option. <!----><!---->

   Thanks again for your recommendations regarding the finish for maple. I really appreciate all your help. It is nice to know that I don’t have to start off completely on my own.<!----><!---->

   Sincerely,<!----><!---->

   Gedaliah Blum<!----><!---->

   http://www.gedaliahblumfurniture.com<!----><!---->

    

1. 
   ring | Sep 26, 2006 11:12am | #19

   Gedaliah shalom,

   1)  I don't know which mortiser to recommend, I don't have one.  But there are several companies bringing in lots of European machines.  Start with:

   Micha Stern  08-9437458

   Ilan Gorali  04-6562207

   Expordia  04-8764717

   2)  The question of business location is too long for me to get into here.  But you're welcome to come visit any weekday and we can discuss it.  I am about 10 km. south of Carmiel.  Drop me an e-mail a day or 2 before just to be sure I'm around.

   DR

2. 
   gedaliahblum | May 08, 2006 12:13pm | #15

   dR,

   I wanted to know if you were aware of any place that sells vacuum presses for vaneer?

   Gedaliah

   gush etzion

1. 
   ring | May 08, 2006 03:36pm | #16

   Sorry, can't help with that one.

   DR

2. 
   RickL | May 17, 2006 10:42pm | #17

   There should be vacuum pumps available in your location as it's used in other industries and you can buy vinyl to make the bag. Go to http://www.vacupress.com to read up on ideas in the forum. I realize it's hard to find certain things in Israel compared to the states or Europe. There's also venturi type pumps that operate off an air compressor and are about $100 US or even cheaper at http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92475

7. 
   a_Furnitologist | May 03, 2006 10:01pm | #7

   hey gedaliahblum:

       What are you making???  What is the application for??? and what the heck is a gedaliablum???? 

1. 
   gedaliahblum | May 03, 2006 10:28pm | #9

   A Gedaliah Blum is a person...specifically...me.

1. 
   a_Furnitologist | May 03, 2006 11:06pm | #10

   OH............glad to meet you!!!

   But you didn't sat what your application is???  I'm in the "straight kerf" camp but how bends are you putting in? Is it a serpentine shape??

    

1. 
   gedaliahblum | May 03, 2006 11:33pm | #11

   So I am making an Aron kodesh (holy ark) for torah scrolls. The ply is for the back which is curved to a half circle. I am using thin ply, about 4mm, and finished with Mahagony on the outside. The piece of ply is about a meter tall and is on a curve of a diameter of about 50cm. Its pretty tight.

   I finished the back. Its not perfect. Unfortunatly I have a slight crack in the back from the bend. It can be felt with the hand but difficult to see with the eye.

    

8. 
   wchips | May 04, 2006 08:55pm | #13

   HI.

      Once iI needed a small amount ofdendable ply, I wsed 1/4''ply and run it through the wide belt sander and sanded off the back ply.  Do not thinh that will work for thicker ply though.  I do not rember if the grain on the good face has to be orinated a certen way, or if it would bend eather way. That was 3 ply plywood I used

                             Have a nice day Lee

9. 
   gb93433 | May 04, 2006 09:23pm | #14

   You should be able to buy bending Lauan at any good supplier which supplies cabinetmakers. It has three plies one of which is about 1/16" thick in the center and the others are thicker running 90 degrees to the center core.