Significance

• Wood bending allows you to create round or curved objects out of wood. It allows this light and strong material to be used for more things like skateboards and curved dowels. It's an advanced craft used by wood workers for several types of objects.
  
  

Function

• Wood bending is performed in several ways. The most common is by heating the wood, using steam or heated iron, and then applying pressure to the wood to curve it. Usually, a press is used to shape the wood. The press is made of a form that is shaped like the final curve and weight that pushes the wood around the form.
  
  

Types

• Aside from the heat and press method of bending wood, you can also bend wood by soaking it in water and stretching and bending it. This requires more time, however, and is not always permanent. Both ends of the wood are bent into the shape desired and tied with a leather strap. This holds the wood in the curved shape until it is permanently in this form.
  
  

About Bending Laminates

• Bending wood laminates is another more complicated process that isn't as dangerous. In this process, thin strips of wood are laminated together after being bent on a press. If the pieces are thin enough, they will bend without heat being applied. This is how most skateboards are built. The laminated wood pieces provide extra strength and flexibility as well.
  
  

Considerations

• To bend wood, you need to know what you are doing. You have to perform a few calculations and set up your form. First, judge the thickness of the wood to determine how much heat and steam will need to be applied. Heating steam can also be dangerous, so take precautions and prepare your workspace so you have plenty of room. Also take some safety precautions. Have a fire extinguisher in the room and wear flameproof clothing. You may also want to vent the area and contact the fire department ahead of time so it can be prepared.