Bending wood - steam?

[24hacker]

I want to build a unique wood gate out of poplar, and need to bend the wood. Pieces will be about .75 X 1". Any suggestions on how to bend the wood.

thanks

[JEM]

Well you'll have the traditional steam box method, and then you could also try soaking and bending gradually.

But here's one more: Guy I know took a 2" diameter pipe, put it in a vice, wrapped a wet rag around it, heated the pipe (being careful not to ingnite the rag) with a torch. When the pipe and wet rag got hot, he pressed the strips of wood he was working with against the wet rag and bent the wood to shape.

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

24,
Boy, have you opened a bag of worms.
Bending could mean the simple 5°-10° bend you see in ladder-back chairs or the loop-inside-a-loop you see in the classic Thonet Brother's chairs.
If you have something very artistic in mind you may want to get a copy of "Bending Wood". It's published by Fine Woodworking Magazine (about $US 20 and available from tool houses)and is a compilation of all their articles on the various techniques of bending.
As to the bending properties of poplar; your probably looking at the eastern hardwood called tulip/yellow poplar. It's not a common boatbuiding lumber because it is not very rot resistant but it should take fairly modest bends.
In general, bending stock needs to be very straight grained. If you are trying to bend thick stock (say 3/4" or more)you may need to back up the wood with a steel strap to keep the outside of the bend from splintering. Also, some wood types will accept tighter bends than others so you may have to rethink using tulip poplar.
Charlie

[Venchka]

An exterior gate? Out of poplar? Hmmmmmmmm......

[Bob Smalser]

The first thing I'd do is pick another wood.

In Indiana you are rich with choices...W. Oak, B. Walnut, Sasafrass, Bodark, Amer Chestnut...just to name a few...all durable for exterior use and all bend.

[Hal Forsen]

If it's an exterior gate, pick another wood. Poplar turns to mush quickly.
HF

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Bob Smalser:
...Bodark...

Bob, spoken like a true Texican. It took me a minute the first time I heard "Bo Dark" to realize what the locals were talking about.

I'm learning.

Wayne

[Ken Hutchins]

Now just a minute, this forumite is from Indiana, isn't that where Studebaker wagons were made? With bodies of Poplar? Lots of them still around!! Properly dried, painted and kept off the soil will last a looooong time. Yes it will steam bend nicely.

[Bob Smalser]

Studebaker? Y'all mean 1860-1910, of course. Water troughs, too....but from 100% oldgrowth, brown-green heartwood.

Most of what's available today is white sapwood...and there's no way I'd use it in a gate....or any other species of sapwood for that matter.

If you can get all Tulip heartwood cut from a local sawyer, then you are good to go. If not, I'd sure pick another wood.

[24hacker]

Thanks for the input - In Indiana we use Poplar outside - paint it and it is good to go - not good for boat building - but you guys are the experts on wood - This gate will be small - more decorative than anything else. I was planing to get a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood - drill holes through it and use bolts and washers through it and clamp the wood to the bolts to form the bends. I think it would work. I am not building a boat so it does not have to be dead nuts.