Bending plywood

[Joe V]

I'm in the process of building a bathroom vanity that has a curved front. The caracass is complete and the upper and lower approns I kerfed the back of the plywood (maple) and it bent beautifully. Now I have to give the same curve to the two front doors, approx 15"x23". What I have done on a test piece is to kerf the back of what would be the door and then glued a piece of 1/8 bendable plywood to the back to cover the kerfs, clamped to a template while the glue dried.

Is this an acceptable way to achieve what I need? Will the doors maintain there shape? Are there any other suggestions for bending plywood or for doing these doors?
Thanks for any advise or insights

Joe

[Joe V]

Jerry:

Thanks for the quick response and suggestions -- sounds like a good idea to me. Will try it this comming weekend and let you know.
Regards
Joe

[Joe V]

Jerry:

Here is the execution of your idea -- looks like its going to work great. I just have to glue the skin to the back and it should be ready to go. Thanks for you help
Joe

P.S. Having trouble uploading the JPEG file -- I think its too big. More that happy to e-mail it you if interested.

[Sawduster]

Hey Joe,
There's a size limit on files uploaded to the site. Anything over about 75 DPI is wasted on a normal PC screen, so that's okay. I normally go into my photo software and reduce them to 72-75 DPI, then save with a new name so I have the original high res and a lower one for posting.

I've got a size limit on my e-mail folder (one of those free hotmail accounts) but it it isn't too large, you can e-mail it to me.

jerrypalmer82@hotmail.com

Put something about woodworking in the subject line cause my junkmail filter filters everything from anyone not in my address book into a junkmail file and I just scan it and delete everything from anyone I don't know that doesn't have specific buzz words in the subject line. Once I receive an e-mail from you, I will add you to my address book so the mail won't be filtered.

[rburkett1]

Hey Joe,

Your doors look really cool. May I ask what thickness of plywood you used and how deep you cut the kerfs? I have a similar project in the thinking stage and could use the info...

Thanks,
Ron

http://basecamp-1.com/ronsworld/woodwork/projects.htm

The more I learn, the more I learn that there's more to learn!

[Sawduster]

Joe, that does look pretty darn good. Be proud, fella.

[Joe V]

Ron:

I used 3/4" plywood with a maple veneer. I didn't measure the depth but I set the depth so that the veneer and one layer of plywood were uncut. I left 3/4" on each of the vertical sides and the spacing was set using a piece of 1/4" hardboard -- i.e. I would cut the first kerf, then insert the 1/4" hardboard between the fence the and the door and cut the next one -- when that was cut I would wait till the blade stopped, slide the door onto the blade, remove the 1/4" hardboard,move the fence against the door, remove the door, and insert the 1/4" board back and cut the next one -- a bit tedious by it worked. Its a little easier if working with something not as big were you can use the mitre gauge with a nail set in for spacing. I used 1/8" bendable plywood on the inside to cover the kerfs.

Hope this helps.

[rburkett1]

Thanks Joe, I appreciate your taking the time to respond and explain your technique. That information will be helpful.

Ron

http://basecamp-1.com/ronsworld/woodwork/projects.htm

The more I learn, the more I learn that there's more to learn!

[Limey]

Waay tooooo GO Joe,

That's too damn nice for a barfroom..

Sooper job

Limey

[rburkett1]

Very nice!
I really like the flow of that curved front. Excellent work, I'm sure your "boss" will be please with that.

Ron

http://basecamp-1.com/ronsworld/woodwork/projects.htm

The more I learn, the more I learn that there's more to learn!