How to make the form of this tb unit

markblue777 · 22 Aug 2014

Hi all,
I have been wanting to make a new tv unit for some time now and had a few ideas but the misses just saw this one

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/528821181216737471/

I was wondering what is the best way to make the curve?

My first thought is to make a frame and then bend and fix thin ply or mdf to it and then just laminate a number of layers to build it up that way. I think this would be the easiest option for me as i dont have a dedicated shop that could keep anything else in whilst it is bending.

Anyone else got any ideas on how i could do it?

Cheers
Mark

RossJarvis · 22 Aug 2014

Sounds like you've got the right idea for this. You just want to make sure the material is flexible enough for the radius of the bend. You may need to think about how to clamp the laminations together whilst the glue goes off. This is where having half a gazillion clamps comes in handy. You'll need to clamp close together to prevent voids etc. It may be an idea to make an inside and outside former (frame).

markblue777 · 22 Aug 2014

ah yes the outside former idea sounds like a good idea. I have a few band clamps and some ratchet clamps i use for the car that would come in handy.

I think I would make both rounded parts and then join them to flats for the top and bottom instead of trying to make the whole form in one and then just use some filler to conceal any joints.

wrightwoodwork · 22 Aug 2014

Also you don't want to use pva glue as it will creep and when uku release the clamps it will spring back. Use something like a 2 part glue or cascimite. Also can't remember the formula is for bending wood. I think it's something like divide the radius by 100 for softwoods and 150 for hardwoods. But would need to check