Need to make some window screens with a 36 in (diameter) arc

[Cletus]

..............Anyone know how to bend wood or some OTHER way that I can make an arch? my neighbor wants me to make her front porch screened in. She has arches across the top that are approximately 36 inches in diameter. I know I could go really cheap and just cut some plywood and throw it together, but I want something a little classier..........

Is making a steamer and bending wood that difficult? I saw an article in a WW magazine several years ago, but can't find it now.

Any suggestions?

I'm posting this on the home improvement section also, since it kinda falls under that too.........

[Danford C Jennings]

I'm a tad confused; since arches already exist on the porch, are you wanting to make screens with arched frames?

Dano

[TDHofstetter]

Series of bandsawn arcs joined together with half-lap joints? Interlocking half-laps? That'd give you flat frames only as thick as the stock you're using...

Pretty tough to bend wood in the "wrong" dimension.

-- Tim --

If you're tired of being a little horse...
Do you need a broncodilator?
:)

[Cletus]

yes.

tdhofstetter: Could you expand on that a bit please? She decided the arched screens were too expensive so I went a different route on that BUT....... I still have to make the screen door. I want the top to be arched and the same thickness as the stiles. I'm sitting here now trying to noodle it out. So far I've thought of getting a wider piece of Cedar than I need and drawing (cutting) the arch out in pieces. I was THINKING (bad mistake lol) I could but join the ends with glue and biscuits, but don't know how well that would hold up on cedar and outside. I've done it many a time, sans biscuit, on interior trim (paint grade so I could glue and sand the joint smooth) and have NEVER had one come apart. But there is a HUGE difference between a piece of trim nailed permanently to a wall and a free swinging door lol.

[Cletus]

Darn I haven't gotten used to the way this site threads...... look above, I have a question for you lol.

[TDHofstetter]

I DO so like pictures... :)

Here's the concept I had in mind:

http://www.woodworking.com/dcforum/U...ca0e505fe1.gif

That shows the overall thought and a sample joint.

I'd advise NOT cutting out the arcs until the glueup is done. Lay out the segments and miter the corners, cut the joints, glue them up into a very coarse arch, THEN cut the arch out. That way you'll avoid any goofy transitions if your arcs aren't perfect when you precut 'em. It also compensates a little for "fudged" joints.

Use a piece of cardboard to make a template of the door frame... tape it in place on one side of the opening, then back it up with your hand as you slide a pencil, flat, around the opening to scribe the exact shape of the opening. The scribed arch will be one-half a pencil width smaller than the opening, just about right for fit.

That gets the outside of the arch. Need thoughts as to how to follow that arch on the inside?

-- Tim --

If you're tired of being a little horse...
Do you need a broncodilator?
:)

[Danford C Jennings]

No longer confused; see the title was changed...

Any who, a bridle joint would be stronger. Either TeeDee can post a drawing or I can post a jpg of an arched door I did. FWIW.

Dano

[TDHofstetter]

I'm not GOING to draw a picture of a bridal joint... :) :) :D

Oh.

Like this?

http://www.woodworking.com/dcforum/U...3f0e7c532b.gif

EDIT: Dang - which one did I do? :D :D :D

-- Tim --

If you're tired of being a little horse...
Do you need a broncodilator?
:)

[Cletus]

Now I'M confused lol. I haven't changed the title. But I DID post it a little differently on the newbie thread. Same content, different title.

I'm digesting the info so give me a post or two.

BTW I WOULD like you to post a JPG of the door you did if it isn't too much effort. I'm relatively new here and haven't learned how to do all the bells and whistles so it WOULD be a major hassle for ME to do a JPG lol. Heck, I haven't even managed an avatar..........

[Cletus]

What's the difference between that and a tongue and groove? Semantics? Not being a smart rear, but it looks the same to me. I also have questions about the other joint you were kind enough to post, but I'll put them under THAT post.

BTW, Just what IS the etiquette here? This board has weird threading (weird to me anyways lol) I HATE to clutter the place up and waste bandwidth, but each post I reply to goes under THAT specific post..........