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Bending wood

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:32 pm
by Quintillius
I am making rail track curves for my model locomotive.The sleepers are 9x9mm and the rails are 4x9mm. All pinewood.

The diameter of the curve is 2m. I am able to make the curve, however there is some tension present.

Is it possible to spray the wood with water and then dry it using a hair dryer in order to preserve the curve? Or do I need other techniques. Can you guys give me advice please.

Re: Bending wood

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 10:10 pm
by digger303
Not sure what your asking. The sleepers don't bend they are always straight.
Are you making the rails out of wood ? Sounds tricky. You caan wet pine and then bend it to the required shape, but it must be held in place while it dries. Whether a hair dryer can be used I'm not sure of , but if you heat one section more than another you might have issues.
Another way timber can be bent is a series of cuts equal distant apart so that the bit removed by the cut allows the timber to move. Thinking that might not be good at this small size.
Alternatively there are track sections in plastic that can be purchased. Miniart, t model and trumpeter do kits.
:cheers2:

Re: Bending wood

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2021 12:55 am
by RangerNeil
Usually to bend wood the method is to steam it in a closed container for a few hours (you'd need to look up the times as wood type and size need considering). Then as soon as you take the wood out of the steam clamp it tightly, using packing pieces, around a former and leave a few more hours/overnight.