Help! How do I bend this?

IS that softwood? “cause if it is…check my blog….you wont want to bend it anymore ;)

2 ” is asking alot of the trim…..I would rip off the beading on either side, cut a wole bunch of kerfs in the the backside of the center piece, then try bending it around the leg. If it stays, soak the beading in a mixture of 1 part glycerine to 10 parts water overnight, then try and pre bend it around a 2” form. If it still doesn’t work, soak it then steam it. If you get the 2” bend on the beading glue it back to the sides of the trim to cover the kerf cuts.

or rip off the beading, cut out the individual squares and face join them directly to the leg, then re-apply the beading.
Either way…GOOD LUCK!

-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com

IS that softwood? “cause if it is…check my blog….you wont want to bend it anymore ;)

Mine, too. I sanded very thin (.08”) and tried bending using the same methods I have used building several guitars and a uke. It split along the grain, cracked across the grain, and scorched in spite of constant misting.

rikkor and ryan . . . you have guys have more patience than me.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

If you steam bend you can make a bending jig up with either mdf or a pvc pipe. Lots of clamps and keeping the fingers crossed.

-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

sometimes students are exactly that

students , and not to be confused with children

rarely right <vbg>

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

Make the feet out of cherry or walnut and give the trim to someone else. I really think that’s a beautiful table and really would like to see it when the tile inserts are in place, and it’s finished. Would be a shame to add that plain white trim then try and color match it to fit. I’m thinking “overkill” here.

By the way…This piece directly reflects the instructions he’s received. You’ve done a great job with this student.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

A 2” radius thats a tough one
If you go to Fine Wood Working .com search for bending wood. There is an article there that shows how to make wood as plyable as a rubberband. I read it and it left me amazed if Im not mistaken the same guy has a video on the same web site showing how to do it.

-- Ed - Milan, IN

If the legs are the octagon shaped columns he is scraping, it aint gonna happen given the apparent thickness of the board to be “bent.” I would miter cut them to fit with my Osborne EB3 ;-) If you MUST bend them, try cutting a V-notch just opposite where the trim meets the joints in the octagon leaving maybe a 32nd of an inch of material. Make a clamping block with an inside angle to match the angle of the octagon. Soak each thin area with hot water and spport it with the clamping blocks while appling pressure. Go really slow, so you’ll need to use a slow-setting glue. Breathe. And, as the other guys said, pray, with fingers crossed. Good luck.

We are taking Ryan’s approach from above. We just got a Freud Fusion blade and it is amazing. I set it up and sliced off the little pyramids and then we cut some 1/32” thick strips of pine, soaked it, and bent it around a template. He then individually applied each little pyramid on the table feet. It is lots of work, but he is really working hard on that table! It should be a really neat project when he is done. More pictures to come on mccrafter’s page!

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/McCrafter/projects