Forming the curved panels, step 3

Now that the 2-ply veneers are ready its time to apply them to the curved panels. This is a simple matter of rolling glue on the panel faces, applying the veneers and putting the whole thing back on the form in the vacuum bag.

When it comes out of the bag I have a curved panel is no spring back. You can see in this photo, the tell-tale dark shadow line between the panel and the form is absent, indicating that the two mate perfectly: No spring-back!



The panel now consists of 7 layers of veneer each held in place with a very rigid glue. Very strong, but also light weight. To this point, each panel has spent 12 hours in the vacuum press, plus several hours has been spent making the form and prepping each step for the press, totaling more than 24 hours of shop time (3 working days) for just two panel.

With all this in mind, take a few minutes to search the internet for curved wood range hoods, you won't find many. This is one of the services that sets my shop apart from others, and it's all possible because of the vacuum press.

Next comes the fun task of cutting the panels to fit together. Think about how to do that while waiting for my next post.