Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 10, 2006 07:30am | #1

   Someone else may have the answer to this but it isn't clear what you are trying to do. Is this a single large curved panel you are trying to create or several elements like drawer fronts and framing members?

   John White

1. 
   Christian25 | Jul 12, 2006 03:00am | #2

   Hi JohnWW, thanks for the reply. I am trying to make a large panel. Specifically, the project is a corner bathroom vanity which will end up looking like roughly a quarter circle when viewed from the top. I am curious as to how to go about curving that large front panel. The radius of the front panel is roughly 30". There is a door that will be in the center of the cabinet, but how would you go about curving such a large piece. How do you cut such a large panel that does not fit into a bandsaw or a planer. Thanks again and look forward to hearing your answer. Sorry if this is pretty elementary.Christian

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 12, 2006 05:38pm | #3

   Christian,

   There is nothing elementary about what you are trying to accomplish, curved work even at its simplest is challenging.

   A few more questions, since the approach to take will be very much dictated by the style of the piece: what type of cabinet are you trying to build, a traditional style with a face frame and probably a framed raised panel door, or are you looking to create a simple smooth cylindrical surface, or something else?  Also, what type of finish will the piece have, painted or a clear finish?  If the wood will be visible through the finish, what species are you planning to use?

   If you could send a sketch or a photo of a similar piece, even if it wasn't curved, I could give you a better answer, but we can work without it.

   John

2. 
   MBerger | Jul 13, 2006 03:04am | #4

   John appears to be getting to the bottom of this question but I just wanted to jump in with one quick idea. You could make a large veneered panel out of flexible plywood (one brand of this product is called StagFlex Bending Plywood). This would require making a form in the shape of your radius and then laminating the flexible plywood with veneer on both sides. When dry, the laminated panel will hold its shape.

1. 
   GaryW | Jul 13, 2006 07:50pm | #5

   MBerger,

   That'd be my suggestion too, having focused on curved work over the years. I'd add that Christian25 must also come up with a way to mold and clamp the lamination until the glue sets. One method would be to clamp the lamina between positive and negative molds with screw clamps - a REAL chore; but I think it's simpler to make one mold, like those in the attached photos, and use a vacuum press. Christian can get info on using a compressor driven venturi devise to create a vacuum at http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/welcome.htm, or he can Google "vacuum pumps" and he'll come up with a bunch of new and remanufactured ones. I used to get away with using a powerful, industrial vacuum. The vacuum bag can be as simple as a sheet of heavy plastic, stuck to a table, or what my son called a "giant zip-lock bag," available from http://www.vac-u-clamp.com/, who also sell rotary vane and venturi pumps.

   Christian, if you need more help, just continue on here or email.

   Gary W

   gwwoodworking.com

   Edited 7/13/2006 12:57 pm by GaryW

   
1. 
   HoustonHeights | Jul 22, 2006 12:42am | #6

   What glue do you prefer to use in curved laminations?

2. 
   GaryW | Jul 22, 2006 01:18am | #7

   That depends on the application and the glue-up, but for most work I use Titebond II. For exterior work I use the Gougeon Bros. W.E.S.T. epoxy. And for glue-ups that might require more open time and slower set times, I've used Titebond Cold Press Veneer glue. I haven't tried it yet, but those requirements might be wrapped up in their new Titebond III.Gary W

   gwwoodworking.com