Arched Bed #5: Learning Curve

The arch came out great. It really isn’t easy to work with such big pieces, but you have organized it really well. I would also like to compliment you on a very orderly and well-equipped shop.

-- Mike, American in Norway

Looking great! I will stay tuned to your blogs…

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

This sure is coming along nicely !I’m glad your posting it step by step I can’t wait to see it when your done.

I like your roller stand were did you get it?

Thanks for posting this!

-- Rj's Woodworks,San Jose & Weed Ca,

Looks great! Quick technique question: Did you have much in the way of saw marks on the strips after cutting them down on the table saw? If so, did they create an issue when gluing up the lamination? Or did you sand or joint out the saw marks?

I just tried my hand at bent laminations and since I wasn’t sure if the saw marks would be an issue, I made sure to joint and plane each piece. I have another one to do, this time with thinner pieces, so planing won’t be an option, but I’m wondering if I will need to sand them down or not.

Thanks fellas. I’ll post pictures of the other two arches tonight.

captkerk… now that I think about it, no, there were not that many saw marks. I was using a newly sharpened blade but ran them lightly across the jointer anyway. They were cut a little thicker than 1/4” any thinner and I would have used the drum sander. I have the 10” Jet which works well. The tradeoff seems to be the thinnner the more flexible but the greater number of glue lines. I think the idea is to try to get flat faces with as sharp edges as you can. I tried to match the grain to help the lamination lines dissappear. You can still see some of them and I’m debating whether to cover the face up with veneer. I’m thinking I could do one side and see how it looks. I don’t know. We’ll see.

-- tim hill www.newcalshop.com

I don’t have a drum sander otherwise I wouldn’t worry if I should sand them, I’d just do it. But since I don’t, I was thinking about jointing the board, cutting a strip off, then jointing the board again before cutting off each subsequent strip. I think I will just try carefully and lightly sanding the saw marks off the unjointed face. Thanks for the tips and good luck with your decision to veneer or not.

Rj… I picked up the roller stand a few years ago at Woodcraft. I’ve seen them around many places. I think Rockler sells them and possibly Harbor Freight.

-- tim hill www.newcalshop.com