Bending Wood (without steamer)

[User]

 

[HertzvanRental]

[QUOTE 4773692, member: 9609"]I am wanting to use some 12' x 6" x 18mm boards to form an edging in the gardn, I am wanting to bend them to form a nice arc. In the past I have just bend and forced them as best I can, some break some splinter. What would be the best way of reducing the chance of them breaking without the use of a steamer - would soaking them until water logged first be any help ?[/QUOTE]
Kerf cuts on the back to facilitate the curve?

 

[cosmicbike]

Kerf cuts on the back to facilitate the curve?

This, plus a good soaking.

 

[Beebo]

This sounds like a job for Uri Geller?

 

[fossyant]

Buy the timber from Wickes, its usually 'pre curved' whether you want it or not.

 

[midlife]

How big is the arc?

300 cubits long

Shaun

 

[midlife]

Just drinking tea watching the birds on the feeder..... The devil finds work as they say

Shaun

 

[slowmotion]

Rags soaked in boiling water, and cramps.....
http://www.classicboat.co.uk/practical-advice/bending-wood-without-steam/

 

[slowmotion]

You could try soaking the wood and playing a hot air gun along it, a section at a time. Ammonia is supposed to be excellent too but a bit hazardous.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Tanalising will be fine..cut 10mm cuts about 50mm apart..

 

[MontyVeda]

[QUOTE 4773692, member: 9609"]I am wanting to use some 12' x 6" x 18mm boards to form an edging in the gardn, I am wanting to bend them to form a nice arc. In the past I have just bend and forced them as best I can, some break some splinter. What would be the best way of reducing the chance of them breaking without the use of a steamer - would soaking them until water logged first be any help ?[/QUOTE]
I'm presuming it's ply?

Unless it's marine ply, i'd expect it to de-laminate after being out in the elements for any length of time. I'd also expect it to de-laminate after being soaked until waterlogged.

Of course it might not be ply

 

[Cuchilo]

I guess it depends on the radius of the curve you want . You could try bending it as it is but take your time and put a bit more pressure on it every day . If you have a river near by then thats the best way to soak longer timbers . Bang a peg in the river bank , tie your timber to it and chuck it in the river .

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Swap to Everedge. It's what I use for any curved application in gardens I build. Sorry CREATE!

Because steel is the new non-rot-timber. It curves without steam and squirrels don't eat it.

Or as mentioned upthread, cut kerfs into it. It'll rot anyway. They do not pressure treat timber like they used to. Or brush 'End Cut' into the kerfs.

 

[Levo-Lon]

The timber...soft wood will last 10 years plus if it's tanalised..just cut the wood as is and get it done.stop whittling ...did you see what I did there!! Be fine mate..honest..just do it..

 

[Cuchilo]

Why is a man of your skills not just making a steamer?

Last one i made was out of soil pipe . A rag at both ends with a wallpaper stripper / steam maker at the other . worked a treat !