The Technicalities of Bending Wood

Wood is a complex material consisting of naturally produced compounds that include water, carbohydrates (cellulose and non-cellulosic) and aromatic compounds (lignin). These are organised as mostly long, slender, and hollow cells with tightly wound fibrils and fillers. For the most part, lignins cement the cells walls together but are also found within cell walls.

Wood bending is an age old art used for making furniture, boats and ships, agricultural implements, tool handles, cooperage, coachwork, wheel rims, sporting goods and musical instruments. Knowledge of species properties and processes guide the techniques used.

For strength

Straight, solid wood cut in curves will eventually produce weak cross grain areas. Bending carefully selected straight grain sections of wood can virtually eliminate this weakness. In other words, material thickness can