Bending wood Gunwale capping

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tangomoon

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We are putting gunwale capping over the inner and outer - will steam wood but will it really bend sideways that far or will we have to use wider pieces.

Thoughts please. Much appreciated
 
If I understand correctly you are talking about bending a relatively wide thin piece of wood about its thinner dimension. I've never tried that but I suspect you are right that it might be difficult. No harm in trying but it might be a lot easier to scarf several shorter pieces. If the wood doesn't have too strong a grain pattern and the scarfs are nice and tight it would probably look fine.
 
Oak as per gunwales and inwales - would have left a gap and filled with 405 1/4" deep to protect end grain of ply if realised the hassle first!

Thanks Moody will PM Lake
 
Oak will steam bend easily. As the capping will be thinner than its width that may cause difficulty. I suggest making both caps out of one piece, over double thickness. Steam it, clamp it around your gunwale till it sets, then rip it down to produce the two caps.
 
Steam in a bag. Clamp the wood at one end, slide on a piece of polythene tube, or sections cut from old fertiser sacks folded and stapled, stuff rags in the end, connect up to DIY wallpaper steamer.
Bend the wood gradually, waiting just long enough for it to be soft enough, clamping and sliding the polythene along as you go.
 
Thanks both for that but it has to bend sixish inches in the middle, sideways, over a five foot length - Is that asking too much for 45mm wide, 10mm thick?
 
I will be amazed if you can bend 45mm x 10mm across the 45mm . I wouldnt even bother trying it and opt for larger timber with a bearing guided router cutter . I've seen some amazing things done with timber so maybe it can be done .
 
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Thanks both for that but it has to bend sixish inches in the middle, sideways, over a five foot length - Is that asking too much for 45mm wide, 10mm thick?

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Sounds like a lot to me.

Bit of green oak maybe? Or laminating?
 
Steaming that size, doesn´t sound far out for the bend? Quick plastic tube and kettle steam rig should get it done. Clamp it til cool, dry and fit.
A
 
Worth a try though. Just need a bit more clamping to avoid a spiral twist setting in.
I used Iroko to match the original, but a longer grained wood would have been easier.
 
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