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creating a curved surface?
johnnysmitch:
I think you were on the right track about using several thin layers - I would suggest making a quick mold out of scrap wood, then getting several thin pieces of wood, glueing them all together, then clamping them to the mold while the glue is still wet. We used this method to make chairs for a lounge when I was in school - we used some stuff called 'bendy plywood' that is wonderful for this, but it's pretty expensive, and can be hard to find (gotta check the nicer lumber stores; those that usually have furniture grade hardwood and such, and expect it to run you about $35 for a 4'x8' 1/8" sheet...). Good luck!
Wade:
Some people on this forum have made bends in the front of their control panels by using a layer or two of 1/4" hardboard glued together and braced on the back.
Wade
MiKman:
--- Quote from: Minwah on August 19, 2004, 04:32:40 am ---I don't understand exactly what you're trying to do, but I'm interested...could anyone post a quick (non-cad) drawing?
--- End quote ---
Here is a picture of the autocad drawing for you guys. nice and curvy :-) I like it, it will be cool when you figure out the curved surfaces!
DvMxDv:
That's a sweet looking cab design.
You may consider using 3/4" MDF for the sides and use 2x4's to connect and brace the sides. If you did it right, the top, back and front panels wouldn't be load bearing, so in theory, you could use something like 1/8" ply for those curved panels. That way you could avoid things like slot cutting or soaking the wood. Just a thought...
Mameotron:
Awesome design. Can't wait to see it completed!
Here's yet another approach:
It is actually not too hard to bend 1/2" plywood. If you made the sides from 3/4 MDF like DvMxDv suggests, and make a frame from 2x4s that the plywood can conform to, you will be able to bend the plywood and nail it in place, without making any kerf cuts or soaking the wood. I don't think any of the curves in your design are too tight to do this.
I'll try to make a quick & crappy picture to explain this better.