Bent Lamination for Table Skirts. Part 1

Over the weekend, I prepped for the bent lamination for the end tables by making the two-layer thick veneers which will be combined with bending plywood to make the all the layers.

On this project, I elected to use a manufactured wood-on-wood (WOW) veneer for the core layer of the lamination. This will be layered between two pieces of 3/8" bending ply for the first round in the vacuum press. Then the outer faces of the lamination will be covered with two layers of cherry veneer which I prepared in advance. The faces are applied in a second, separate pressing operation.

Using multiple layers and multiple pressings allows for a much more consistent shape with virtually no spring back from the form. Eliminating spring back means there's no need for guess work in adjusting the form to get the desired final shape. In this case it also means each piece should fit exactly where it's intended, and not be subject to the extra stresses of forcing it to bend just a little more to fit properly.

This project requires eight quarter circle skirts. Speed up the process I made the bending form semi-circular, and I will then cut the half-circle in half.

1) liberally glue the inside faces of the bending ply
2) arrange the layers on the form, bending ply, WOW, bending ply, and 1/8" bending ply as a platten (to even out pressure, the platten is not part of the finished piece.)


3) put it all in the vacuum bag while the glue sets up.

4) Let it finish curing while I make three more. Tomorrow I'll do the second pressing.

Notice the spring back on this lamination? Where it doesn't fit snugly to the form? That should be eliminated by the next pressing.