Practical and fully illustrated, this updated reference is indispensable for woodworkers who want to master bending techniques, learn to increase the elasticity of wood, and recognize the woods best-suited for bending. Topics covered include hand bending, machine bending, moisture content, selecting and preparing wood, steaming and other softening treatments, and working with laminates and adhesives. A new color gallery provides craftspeople easy reference to finished projects, and the tips offer advice on how to avoid costly errors, such as weakening or cracking the wood. An essential resource for any wood bender, this how-to guide helps with any rounded construction.

CONTENTS: Introduction. The Principles of Wood Bending SOLID BENDING The Selection and Preparation of Bending Material Quality - Species - Trees - Moisture content - Machining Softening Treatments Steaming - Other heating methods - Chemical treatments - Compressed wood Hand Bending Cold bending - Hot bending (unsupported) - Hot bending (supported) - Simple "U" bend - Two-plane bends - Re-entrant and "S" type bends - Chair leg bends - Transverse bending Machine Bending Rope and windlass machine - Lever arm machines - Revolving table machine - Presses - Spade handle bending machines - Cooperage The Setting of Bends The movement or change in shape of bends LAMINATED BENDING The Process of Laminated Bending Selection and preparation of laminae - Glues - Pre-bending Pressing Laminae to Shape Male and female forms - Fluid pressure - The continuous strip method - Laminated inserts - Two-plane bends - Laminated tubes and cylinders - Moulding Glue Setting The setting of laminated bends - Strip heating - Determination of setting times - Miscellaneous setting methods The Movement and Distortion of Laminated Bends The movement of laminated bends - Distortion of bends Theoretical Considerations Assessment of bending qualities from compressive and tensile stress-strain relationships - End pressures - Tension and compression tests - Minimum radius - Bending moments - Comparison between theoretical and actual bending values - Comments - Movement of bends Index