Bending Wood with Heat

⚙️ SHOW NOTES - EPISODE #182: There are several methods for bending wood, but the most fun involve fire! Tonight we won’t be laminating or steaming, but instead we’ll be lighting the torch and heating up a bending pipe to freehand shape wooden parts right before your very eyes! At least I hope it all goes that smoothly. I’ll be sharing a technique borrowed from Michael Fortune and featured in Fine Woodworking #205. I don’t have much direct experience using this method, so who knows what might happen…I’ll keep the extinguisher close.

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LIVE EVENTS are filmed in the shop of Tom McLaughlin, host of TV's Classic Woodworking and Shop Night Live. Tom loves to pass on the craft of woodworking by creating projects to present in live video form backed by his over 30-years of experience making fine custom furniture.
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[joyshaner]

Excited when I realized the content. You noted then complied to my and others question about bending wood. Loved and enjoyed this video. And, I know I could make that jig with the black pipe and insulating material. A new technique for me to incorporate in my projects! Thank you for bringing clarity to wood bending. I've gained understanding.
Joy. Pgh, PA

[mikelongo]

Thanks for putting out so much information in a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.

[pierrebouvier]

Thanks Tom and Kris for another informative and fun night.

[tonymatucci]

Thank you. I have used this method before, but only with one bend. You showing us multiple bends and thicknesses gives me some ideas for making very special trivets and plant coasters.

[MrWS]

Another great hour at the Shop; still working on interior trim, but got my dining table plans after that I’ll bend some wood with heat. Mahalo

[joshwalker]

Interesting! Never seen this before! Thanks for bringing this to a wider audience!

[rharv]

You can use a thin piece of flashing as a strap for bending around the pipe. I have done this with Maple inlay which tends to be more brittle.

[donesry]

Thanks Tom! At the beginning I was very skeptical but now after seeing you do it, I am inspired. Also, I'm glad my wife didn't see this as I'm sure my list of projects would get a lot longer...

[terryrogers]

Thank you, I am into building whimsical bird feeders and houses, and this technique might work real well for shaping spiral shape towers, also make interesting lamp stands for night stands or end tables

[danielhanawalt]

Now that's really cool. Never seen this before.

[Vazmenko]

Very informative video, Sir! Thanks for the upload

[victoryak]

Tom, sorry I missed this last night. This was one of the coolest SNLs so far! Opens all kinds of possibilities. The Wenge was a real surprise as well. Predict this will get a lot of views over time.

[rossanctuary]

Is it true that all hardwood trees, that loose their leaves can be used for bending wood?

[sethwarner]

The glue that holds the fibers in wood together is LIGNIN. These could become RINGS, to make tires on toy car wheels!

[kch]

I make boomerangs and may use this to do a strip lam version

[brianfoster]

Would it be possible to bend tongue in groove boards and have them still fit?