How to bend wood like this - Outdoor furniture project

[Alan Lightstone]

Here are some forms with access to both sides. I will try to dig the round window form out of the shed. It is set up like a BBQ rotisserie.

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Interesting, Maurice. I could have done it that way, but I was building to mimic the setup that Australian guy had on YouTube that he removed right as I needed to see it.

I thought that the winch approach would work, and it still might, but straps I think will work better for my particular bend. And I agree, a caul is a must. Plus clamps (probably going to use a couple of parallel clamps with wood boards) to help hold the straight parts.

Would have been tremendously easier just making the making the curved part on the jig, and attaching it to straight sides. Might have to go with that.

[Jim Becker]

You might be able to use shorter "lifting straps" with your existing winch to do the deed in the same way as with just heavy ratchet straps.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

I learned some about the forces required to make bent laminations from the video about the making of Stienway pianos. "Work around from the center outwards" . The bending and clamping is shown right at the begining.

[Mike King]

The Steinway factory tour was one of the best things I ever did in NYC. It's too bad that they have now eliminated it. My wife and I tried for years to get tickets to the tour on one of our trips to the city, and when we finally were successful, it was a big day! I'd love to go back...