Replies

1. 
   fourquarter | Jan 30, 2006 05:08am | #1

   I think you could do it, however, I worked at a shop that produced a lot of radius front-counter work and the go to solution was wiggle board and veneer.

   They would lay up the wiggle board, usually 2 layers, then fill it with bondo, then sand it flush for a smooth substrate.  then they sprayed both the wiggle board and veneer with contact cement and went about putting them together.  Worked very well.

   I think your more involved steps will be laying up and shaping all your radius moulding.

    

   Good luck,

   kh

2. 
   creekwood | Jan 30, 2006 02:51pm | #2

   I've used bending plywood, with the grain of the ply running together, to make curves like you want. I don't think contact cement should be used with raw veneer, as solvents can damage the bond when finishing.  Contact glue never dries to a rigid glue line, but many use it with paper-backed veneer sheets.

3. 
   Dave45 | Jan 30, 2006 05:21pm | #3

   I saw a Woodworks show the other day made curved stretchers for a sofa table.  He resawed solid stock to thin (3/16"?) strips then glued them up using a home made MDF clamping jig.

   What was really interesting was that he made the jig and stretchers first based on the design of the table.  When the stretchers were done, he adjusted the rest of the dimensions to accomodate the springback in the curved stretchers.  The adjustments were small (maybe 1/4") but it eliminated the need to force the curved pieces into place and introducing stresses into the legs.  I'll definitely try this technique when I do any curved pieces.

   For your situation, I think that 1/4" plywood will handle the bending just fine.  You aren't dealing with a tight radius and most of the 1/4" I've used bends tighter than that when I pick it up.

   You could also try kerf cuts on the back of thicker material to get the curve.  This is a common technique and, with enough kerf cuts, even 3/4" plywood can be curved pretty tightly.

4. 
   RickL | Jan 30, 2006 10:29pm | #4

   Ditto on what fourquarter said. We call it wacky board here and there is also an MDF with saw kerfs available commercially. It's never been easier to do curves. Check your local plywood dealer and I don't mean the regular lumber yard. Look under plywood in the largest urban phone book near you.

1. 
   DonStephan | Jan 31, 2006 01:50am | #5

   Experiment with kerfed sheet goods before committing in a big way. I've heard of some who had the slots telegraph through the face veneer. On the veneering forum http://www.vacupress.com 1/8" Italian bending plywood is regularly recommended, but I haven't been able to find it in Cincinnati. Regular bending plywood also reportedly can develop facets that telegraph through the face veneer. If using either kerfed sheet goods or regular bending plywood, you might experiment with a final surface of 1/8" plywood of some kind or the thinnest MDF your suppliers carry if it will bend to the needed radius. If the necessary solution produces facets and you have a vacuum press, when the curved substrate is ready you can make a veneer two ply and before the glue fully cures apply that to the curved substrate. A number of discussions about this on the veneering forum.Good luck.

1. 
   hammersparks | Jan 31, 2006 04:25am | #6

   I appreciate all the input.  I am checking suppliers in the WI - MN area.  Thank-you!  Hammersparks

5. 
   derekb | Jan 31, 2006 11:01pm | #7

   i have built a desk that is very similar to what you are describing.  I used 1/4" birch ply (not multiply)  and it bent very well.  If you need to entice it a little, place it on two saw horses, so that the middle of the sheet is un suppoted and soak it with water.  Then place something heavy on it so it sags.  in a couple of days it will bend just fine.  Over time the glued up ply will take the form that it has been bent to and won't run the risk of failing.

    

   Derek