Bending wood or styrene

[BigTallDad]

PART ONE. I'm working on a 48 Ford woodie convertible thought I'd share some tips for bending the wood. Although I've never tried it, I firmly believe that strip styrene can be bent in the same manner using a food dehydrator.

The first thing you need is a template. There are several ways to do this: (1) cut along the seam, trace the outline on a business card, then repair the cut seam with styrene (this is how I did it); (2) use an old cabinet makers trick with a compass.

Place some paper on a heavy object and align the model.

Scribe the outline from the model onto the paper

PART TWO. Take the paper and glue it to some wood, the cut along the line with a scroll saw. Add some auxiliary strips, then drill out for nuts/bolts. In the end, you'll end up with something like this.

I made mine thick enough to do several strips at a time. Soak some wood (coffee stirrers work well) in tap water for a day or so (or boiling water for about 10 minutes), then clamp them up.

Note that the top part is notched out to allow the portion that goes over the top of the door; if you don't do this, the thickness of the material being bent will cause mis-alignment. The toothpick/rubber band makes this bend quite nicely.

PART THREE. After several days' drying time, the wood is ready for removal.

While not machine-shop precision, the wood conforms to the body well. Glue the piece in place (you might want to put some finish on it first)

[southpier]

pretty snazzy trick

[Foxer]

Very interesting.

[426-Hemi]

-I'll have to remember this one.. for when the time comes to make a "real" wood, woodie! YOU BET I'll be tryin' this one!

[jwrass]

Ray,

Great tutorial!!! Thanks for sharing.

Jimmy "RASS"

[bobthehobbyguy]

Another great tip.

[Harry P.]

Ray, your tutorials are great! Keep 'em coming!

[vintagercr]

Ray, your tutorials are great! Keep 'em coming!

Ditto!