[zero the hero]

Is 1/4 plywood bendy enough to make curved cabinet sides from without going through the hassle of steaming or making cuts?

 

[LTD02]

you could soak it in water for a while then it does become flexible. depends on how small your radius is. a friend did this for a skateboard half-pipe twenty years ago, but that has a pretty large radius.

 

[zero the hero]

could i glue it while wet? or would i have to shape it, let it dry and then glue?

 

[Kanaris]

You can avoid all the hassle by buying a sheet of bendable plywood. It's about $40.00 for a 4x8 sheet.

 

[zero the hero]

didn't even know it existed! I know about bendable MDF, but didn't know about plywood. Thanks for the tip; now to find it.

 

[Kevin Haskins]

You can rip cuts in the surface, which may help it bend. I've never tried it though.


If I where going to DIY a curved wall, I'd pay someone some CNC time though. Build up a really thick wall and just let the CNC chew it down into shape.

 

[Kanaris]

Try Home Depot

 

[tales]

1/4" & 1/2" ply will bend, depending on the radius of curvature. Even though its plywood it does bend better with the grain.


If you want it to keep the radius of curvature on its own, you have to glue another pice of ply behind it. the more layers the better. Glue with a roller, shoot pins through then remove pins after it dries. Route the ends.


A lot depends on the finish, Paint, stain, laminate (formica)


The "bendable plywood" wiggle board/snake ply will bend more. Keep in mind the grain is made to bend one way, you can buy it with the grain to bend 4' or 8'.


I build scenery for television. Here are pics of a FOX news set.


The silver column on the left is a sharp curve, i used wiggle board.

The blue headers on the floor was made with 1/4" plywood.

 

[zero the hero]

very cool, thanks for the info Tales!

 

[nik1818]

or you could do like this guy-

thats a whole lot of jigsawing. i'm glad he used a CNC machine, though. the whole project seems a little outrageous to be doing it that way with such small thicknesses. i could see if it was to be something odd like 1.25" all around.

 

[Kanaris]

I made a few years ago some subs... instead of sonotubes I used bendable 3/8 ply..

 

[zero the hero]

thats cool. Gonna check Home depot today, but I don't remember ever seeing bendable plywood there; and I've been in the wood dept numerous times.

 

[Kanaris]

It's tricky spotting it...cause it looks like any other 3/8 sheet lying flat..you have to get close and observe it... and read the tag.

 

[Hot Grits]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zero the hero /forum/post/14171034


thats cool. Gonna check Home depot today, but I don't remember ever seeing bendable plywood there; and I've been in the wood dept numerous times.

Thats a lumberyard item around here. doubt very highly depot is going to have it. We used to use it for arched openings. It had to be skimcoated before painting, just to let you know.

 

[Krawdad]

This was way more work then it needed to be. Could have made a laminate from bendable ply.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nik1818 /forum/post/14169843


or you could do like this guy-

thats a whole lot of jigsawing. i'm glad he used a CNC machine, though. the whole project seems a little outrageous to be doing it that way with such small thicknesses. i could see if it was to be something odd like 1.25" all around.

 

[tales]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Krawdad /forum/post/14175265


This was way more work then it needed to be. Could have made a laminate from bendable ply.

Agreed! That has more piece's then a Butcher Block

FWIW, Home Depot doesn't sell wiggle board in NYC, Like stated above its a lumber yard product. Maybe your local HD has it.

 

[Kanaris]

I bought mine at HD..in Montreal... I didn't know they don't carry it in N.Y.

 

[tales]

I think its up to the store. I find more to choose from in the Long Island or New Jersey Home Depots.


SOUTHDOWN/OLD CASTLE play-sand is Safe for reef tanks. Its $4.19 for a 5lb bag in HD

I have to buy it in NJ no NY HD near me carry's it.


A pet store charges around $40 for the same sand.