How do you go about curving wood?

Answer 1

I don't think balsa wood is the best to be bending, but try one of two things:

You could either keeping putting water on it, and slowly every so slowly and gently bend it to the shape, letting it dry in that shape. Or you could buy a steamer. I think you can get a hand held steamer fairly cheap. You then cover the wood with the super hot steam and bend it very slowly and gently.

With both ways it is best to make a jig up so the wood can sit in it for a couple of hours while it dries.

Now be patient, you will probably not get what you want the first few tries. Try experimenting with different thickens es of the wood also.

GOOD LUCK

Another way is to have a 2 inch metal pipe, have a torch blowing in the pipe, this heats the pipe, you slowly an gently move your wood back and forth over the pipe applying a small amount of down pressure, this relaxes the fibers in the wood and allows them to bend. many Guitar makers use this method. Good-Luck

Answer 2

normally you would steam the wood until it is flexible, then bend it, curve it, do whatever you want with it.