easiest wood to steam bend for horn?

Ang · 26th February 2007, 01:01 AM

I'm trying to make a smooth spiral that @ some point may be fairly tight (min 8" diameter). I haven't been able to find flexible plywood locally in Pittsburgh, so I'm thinking about using some 1/8 hardboard and laminating it.

Has anyone tried steaming and bending the stuff?

Is there a better similarly price alternative? Thanks.

mightydub · 26th February 2007, 01:50 AM

hardboard will fall apart if you try to steam bend it.

See if you can find some 1/8 solid birch, or maybe 1/8 marine grade baltic birch ply. "Marine grade" means that the glues used are waterproof and there are no voids.

owdi · 26th February 2007, 02:40 AM

I believe Ash is pretty easy to steam bend, although I don't know if there are better choices.

Dan

Aengus · 26th February 2007, 03:02 AM

Steam bending can be done to a number of species, including ash and white oak. However, it doesn't work very well on kiln-dried wood - you want "green" (unseasoned) wood with a reasonably high moisture content. Here's a link to some steam-bending information.

Alternatively, if you have the tools or can find someone to rip it into thin strips for you, you can stack-laminate many species - ash works well for this too. Basically you epoxy together a lot of thin (1/16"-1/8", depending on radius) strips and clamp them to a form while the glue sets. If you do this, you can make forms out of MDF; wax them so the epoxy doesn't stick to them.

Regards.

Aengus

Ang · 26th February 2007, 03:24 AM

Thanks for your suggestions guys - this is very helpful.

Seems like I'll need to find a place locally to get some thin green cuts as well as the void-free baltic I'll need for the rest of the project. When I checked a few days ago Lowes wasn't exactly loaded with solid woods at the thickness I need.

roger_lew · 26th February 2007, 03:59 AM

1/8" bending poplar. You might have to special order it. It is comprised of layers like plywood but the grain runs the same direction.

Ang · 26th February 2007, 04:22 AM

the poplar sounds interesting will check into it. Had read that bendable plywood works on a similar design. Asking for around here though I just get crazy looks like bendable and plywood don't belong in the same sentence.

mandoman · 26th February 2007, 05:23 AM

I have bent all sorts of woods as a musical instrument maker over the years. By far the easiest wood to bend I have found is walnut.

Tuukka · 27th February 2007, 02:47 AM

Check hobby shops, airplane section.

26th February 2007, 01:01 AM	#1
Ang diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pittsburgh	easiest wood to steam bend for horn? I'm trying to make a smooth spiral that @ some point may be fairly tight (min 8" diameter). I haven't been able to find flexible plywood locally in Pittsburgh, so I'm thinking about using some 1/8 hardboard and laminating it. Has anyone tried steaming and bending the stuff? Is there a better similarly price alternative? Thanks.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wood cone speakers for Frugal-horn or other DIY	EmergencyDpt	Full Range	24	3rd April 2009 10:03 AM
Tad Wood Horn Diy	thanhVNS	Multi-Way	2	14th October 2008 04:43 AM
Fostex BK-20 as bass for H420 wood horn?	Doug Kim	Multi-Way	0	19th June 2008 01:18 PM
Help with Induction heating for steam	jacob.jacob0	Power Supplies	16	7th February 2008 06:35 PM
how to build a bass bend/scoop cab	Javalon22	Subwoofers	1	5th January 2004 04:28 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

26th February 2007, 01:50 AM	#2
mightydub diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Where the sky loves the sea	hardboard will fall apart if you try to steam bend it. See if you can find some 1/8 solid birch, or maybe 1/8 marine grade baltic birch ply. "Marine grade" means that the glues used are waterproof and there are no voids.

26th February 2007, 02:40 AM	#3
owdi diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bellevue, WA	I believe Ash is pretty easy to steam bend, although I don't know if there are better choices. Dan

26th February 2007, 03:02 AM	#4
Aengus diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Victoria, BC	Steam bending can be done to a number of species, including ash and white oak. However, it doesn't work very well on kiln-dried wood - you want "green" (unseasoned) wood with a reasonably high moisture content. Here's a link to some steam-bending information. Alternatively, if you have the tools or can find someone to rip it into thin strips for you, you can stack-laminate many species - ash works well for this too. Basically you epoxy together a lot of thin (1/16"-1/8", depending on radius) strips and clamp them to a form while the glue sets. If you do this, you can make forms out of MDF; wax them so the epoxy doesn't stick to them. Regards. Aengus

26th February 2007, 03:24 AM	#5
Ang diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pittsburgh	Thanks for your suggestions guys - this is very helpful. Seems like I'll need to find a place locally to get some thin green cuts as well as the void-free baltic I'll need for the rest of the project. When I checked a few days ago Lowes wasn't exactly loaded with solid woods at the thickness I need.

26th February 2007, 03:59 AM	#6
roger_lew diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Moscow, ID	1/8" bending poplar. You might have to special order it. It is comprised of layers like plywood but the grain runs the same direction.

26th February 2007, 04:22 AM	#7
Ang diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pittsburgh	the poplar sounds interesting will check into it. Had read that bendable plywood works on a similar design. Asking for around here though I just get crazy looks like bendable and plywood don't belong in the same sentence.

26th February 2007, 05:23 AM	#8
mandoman diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	I have bent all sorts of woods as a musical instrument maker over the years. By far the easiest wood to bend I have found is walnut.

27th February 2007, 02:47 AM	#9
Tuukka diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Suomi	Check hobby shops, airplane section.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)