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Author Topic: Bending or forming ply for a deck  (Read 1792 times)

Nordlys

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Bending or forming ply for a deck
« on: March 25, 2021, 03:21:03 pm »

I'm wondering if there are any techniques for bending ply in 2 dimensions to form a ships deck that someone can suggest please?
I'm using 1/16th ply over a length of 34 inches x 9 inch width, the main bending area is over the bows, not the stern.
Nord.
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SteamboatPhil

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2021, 06:53:33 pm »

One way (which I have used) is to cold mould double diagonal planking, the method is easy but time consuming. Simple process, if you are going for a 1/16 deck at the front, use 1/32 strips (approx 3/8 wide---could be smaller depends on the curves ) layer diagonally then layer the second set at 90 degrees (with glue of course). Mr Google has loads of info.
Hope this helps
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Nordlys

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2021, 07:18:35 pm »

Thank you Phil. Planking the deck isn't quite what I intended to do but it is a solution which didn't occur  to me.


I have dampened the ply and weighted it down on the deck frames for over a week and it is taking a shape but whether it behaves when I come to glue it
remains unknown at this point.
N
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CGAux26

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2021, 07:39:41 pm »

Many clamps and mucho masking tape will tame the plywood.
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Nordlys

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2021, 08:15:27 pm »

I like that Texan confidence!
And I will have the masking tape close to hand.....
Thanks!


N.
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Allnightin

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2021, 10:46:10 pm »

How about laminating the required shape up from 0.8mm or even 0.4 mm ply?
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Nordlys

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2021, 11:31:47 am »

It's a solution to laminate. However I do have 1/32 thickness ply sheet which should take the shape, although I was hoping to use the 1/16th for a bit of strength.
Thanks for all replies.
N
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roycv

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2021, 11:52:22 am »

Hi Nordys, a weak solution of ammonia will allow you to bend wood to almost any shape.  I do not know what the effect might be on the glue though with ply.  There is a very weak solution of ammonia in many of the proprietory window cleaning sprays, but probably not enough for you.
Steamboatphil has a good suggestion with diagonal planking using the 1/32 ply.

Regards
Roy
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chas

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2021, 12:17:14 pm »

I did this in 2 mm ply. I dampened both sides of the ply, then taped and clamped it over the formers, with a little extra packing to allow for the double curve easing after I had finished. Then I used a hair dryer on the wood, not rushing it. Half an hour later, job done.
   I also built a decent coaming, around the sub deck, shaped to fit, so that I had a generous surface to glue to. It probably worked because the curves weren't too extreme, so it depends on just how much curve you've got to put in..
Chas

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nemesis

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2021, 12:50:57 pm »

if you are using birch ply it will not conform with wetting as the glue is of the epoxy type. However I have had success with heat ( I used a blowtorch) but a hairdryer on hot should work, have the grain running the way want. don,t advise the blowtorch. Try it first on a bit of scrap. nemesis
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SteamboatPhil

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Re: Bending or forming ply for a deck
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2021, 03:47:12 pm »

This should give you an idea of what can be achieved with double diagonal planking, shown on the lid of one of my flash steam boats. On the underside you can just see the outline of the planks.
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