Birch Plywood bending radius

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Bill - 18 Jul 2004 15:10 GMT

Hello folks,

I'm not an RC modeller but need to use some of the thin birch plywood on
a woodworking project. I have never had my hands on this stuff and
will have to mail-order since it isn't available locally.
What I am trying to do is get a feel for the typical allowable bending
radius for the thinner sizes like 1/64, 1/32, 1/16 and are there any
special techniques for bending that might be unique to this product.

Thanks in advance,
Bill M

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Icrashrc - 19 Jul 2004 05:38 GMT

1/64th can be bent to a 2" radius with the grain with little to no prep on the
wood. The usual woodworking tricks of steaming or ammonia will make things
conform better. As with all wood there is always an advantage to beign able to
hold the piece in your hand to make a better evaluation of your options. I
highly recommend finding a hobby shop if at all posible.

>Hello folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>Thanks in advance,
>Bill M

remove my-wife to reply :-)

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Bill - 19 Jul 2004 13:08 GMT

> 1/64th can be bent to a 2" radius with the grain with little to no prep on the
> wood. The usual woodworking tricks of steaming or ammonia will make things
> conform better. As with all wood there is always an advantage to beign able to
> hold the piece in your hand to make a better evaluation of your options. I
> highly recommend finding a hobby shop if at all posible.

Thanks. Thats close enough for me.

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The Natural Philosopher - 19 Jul 2004 21:10 GMT

> Hello folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> radius for the thinner sizes like 1/64, 1/32, 1/16 and are there any
> special techniques for bending that might be unique to this product.

You can try soaking. I have made cowls about 2.5" diameter from 1/32"
ply, and gone a little smaller on 1/64"

Biggest problems came bending very thing (about 1/6" wide) strips of
1/64" ply to form wing outlines. I did get down to 3/4" diameter curves.
but most split.

> Thanks in advance,
> Bill M

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Dan Thomas - 20 Jul 2004 23:08 GMT

> > Hello folks,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Bill M

Spray water on the ply and run a 300 degree clothes iron over it.
The heat will drive the steam into the wood, and the ply will bend
ACROSS the grain more easily than with it, since the moisture doesn't
penetrate the centre plies well. I have wrapped a strip of 1/16 birch
ply around a pencil using this method, although the inside veneer will
wrinkle a bit at that tiny radius.
Get an old iron. If you use your wife's, you'll be buying her
another. The resins from the wood will stain it.
Dan

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jim breeyear - 21 Jul 2004 19:38 GMT

Would scribing lines with a knife on the inside radius (Kerf??) help?
I know zip about woodworking. Ask my wife.

>>>Hello folks,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> another. The resins from the wood will stain it.
> Dan

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / July 2004

Birch Plywood bending radius