Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Re: Plywood bend radius
By:John B.
Date: 6/13/2000, 3:07 pm
In Response To: Plywood bend radius (Don Bowen)

: What is the bend radius of the various 1/4 and 3/8 plywoods? I am looking for
: something that will bend to a 1 ft radius and want to be able to build an
: eventual thickness of 1/2 in.

I can't answer that question directly, but I made a form and clamped 5 layers of 4mm okoume ply to make 16" radius deckbeams for a S&G yak. If you want 12" for the final radius, make the form smaller, say 10.5 to 11" in radius to allow for springback. Lee Valley/Veritas website has a wonderful discussion on steam bending woods ... radii of 4" are apparently possible with woods like ash..maybe plywood isn't the best choice for tight radii (radiuses(?)).

Messages In This Thread

Laun Plywood
Glen -- 6/12/2000, 11:23 pm
Re: Laun Plywood
Paul C -- 6/13/2000, 2:28 pm
Re: Laun Plywood
Hank -- 6/14/2000, 8:31 am
Re: Laun Plywood
Paul C -- 6/14/2000, 2:17 pm
Re: Laun Plywood
Hank -- 6/13/2000, 8:40 am
Re: Laun Plywood
John B. -- 6/13/2000, 8:04 am
Plywood bend radius
Don Bowen -- 6/13/2000, 10:30 am
Re: Plywood bend radius
John B. -- 6/13/2000, 3:07 pm