How to Bend - cutting kerf bending Plywood

Plywood , normally with a balanced construction, bending is easier for thin plywood concerned. When it comes for thicker plywood , we must adopt some methods to bend the same for a particular purpose. Besides flexible plywood , some times called magic plywood is used for easier bending. Here the construction of the plywood is the only thing , which decides for bending. So, knowing the purpose for bending the plywood and adopting certain method is important .

Apart from this interior grade plywood can't be bend using steaming method , due to the inferior quality of the glue used for bonding. In that case, we shall use , other methods for bending the same.Given a plywood , knowing the grade and usage of the same , and applying the right bend method will be helpful for long term benefits.

This method can be useful for exterior grade plywood , which will not get affected by steaming. Steaming to be done for a period and it depends on how much we are going to bend the plywood and the thickness of plywood.Moderate steaming is not enough to bend the plywood of higher thickness. However combination of steam and pressing in a molded hot pressing will assist to do better for bending.

This is one of the easiest method for both interior or exterior grade plywood. Only draw back with this type of bending is the thickness of the plywood needed for bending. The kerf cutting should not exceed two third of thickness of plywood panel.

The kerf cut gapes can be glued to avoid gapes. And needs calculation of between kerf cut , to avoid any deformation. This should be done carefully to achieve the required curve.

And some instruments like measuring tape, pencil, circular saw, glue is a must required.

This is also one of the easiest method to bend plywood. This type of laminating is used for furniture making. Here we need to create the template first. Then cut the plywood in length wise , required. Based on template bend the small pieces of plywood one by one by gluing the one to the other. Avoid applying glue to front back pieces. Some tips for bending the plywood using lamination method.

1. Use the glue which doesn't have any lumps in it.

2. Make sure the flow of the glue is good enough for spreading.

3. Minimize the hardener usage to avoid pre-curing.

4. Advisable to apply glue one piece or either pieces to improve the bonding between glue to glue.

5. Avoid excess application of glue to prevent from glue squeezing out from sides which may interfere with size intended to make.

Besides we shall use clamps for grip and bringing the glued plywood together .

All the above method can be applied once the plywood is made and it is applicable for various types of curves and design. If the bend plywood for a particular purpose and customized one , better go for hot press. This type of hot press comes with the bend profile, which uses high pressures makes the perfect bend . The Bonding of layers is perfect and strong , which can be exploited with confidence and for various purposes mass production of unique products.

This type of plywood are factory made. Hot pressed plywoods can be of chair seat and back with certain model curve or even for industrial purposes .