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Curved desk front---HELP!!

3K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  albachippie 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi guys, I haven't been here for a while. New baby and a sudden upsurge in customers has taken precedence unfortunately.

Anyways, I have won a contract to fit out a small office with three bookcases and a desk. This is great for me because it is exactly the type of work I want to be involved with. Unfortunately the client only has a budget for cabinets made from Conti (a decorative faced chipboard). To enhance the look and feel I suggested using an oak finish with solid oak nosings to all fore edges.

All good so far.

The problem for me comes with the desk front, and the two shelves above, having a curve.

The help required from you experts comes from the question,

"How to I curve 3/4" oak planks to a radius of approx 1m?"

My thoughts would be to cut the oak down to maybe 1/4" strips, make a former and glue the strips together in a laminate formation to the required radius. When the glue dries this should hold the required curve.

What are your thoughts?

Any input would be hugely appreciated,

Thanks,

Garry
 
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#4 ·
Hi guys, thanks for the input.

I have tried to up load some CAD pictures but no success as yet. I have never tried steam or water bending, but may give that a go Kent. shopguryl, that link to Dennis' project is helpful. Was along the lines of what I was thinking.

I'll post pics of the progress and outcome in due course,

Thanks again,

Garry
 
#5 ·
For me, the ripping and gluing is far easier to accomplish than steam bending for a 1 time project. Like the others say, the thickness of your pieces will depend on the length and radius as well as the height of the bending piece.
 
#6 ·
Well, I decided to have a go at laminating, but couldn't get the finish I wanted. So I thought I'd try steam bending. Always thought this type of work would be far beyond my capabilities, but, as it turns out, it seems to have worked! I got loads of info from this forum on building a steam box and how to use it. So far I've steamed the oak and clamped it using ratchet ties. Going to leave it overnight and have a look in the morning at the result. Thanks again for the input all,

Garry
 
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