Many thanks for the three replies so far.  Lots to think about.  Tom C’s idea
about running clear across is one I had not considered, as is Michael’s.
Richard is also right – depends on the design and strength of the timber.  I
guess the term “short grain” is relative when used to imply weakness.  How short
can it be and NOT be weak enough to be a problem for a specific design?

 

Cheers

 

Joe

 

 

From: Michael Suwczinsky  
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 7:04 PM
To: joe@j...
Cc: Tim ; Thomas Conroy ; old tools new
server 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Serpentine table and chair legs

 

I would consider a multi-ply lamination. Once you have your mocked up design
close to what you want, use that to make a form and many thin slices of wood,
ample glue, wax paper and clamps should get you a strong, workable curve.  Slow
setting glues, lots of oversized parts to trim down to your final dimensions but
I think that is the way to go, if you would rather not resort to  steam bending.
Glue lam has the advantage of not having to estimate springback into your
molding form. I think in terms of the amount of work for each method, it's
likely a wash.

 

Michael 

 

On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 2:43 PM mailto:joe@j...> > wrote:

OH wise ones:

In the next few months or maybe a year or so, I am going to try to make an
oval occasional table, say 24-30 inches in height, with  serpentine legs.
By that I mean that the legs will arc in from the edges to a center point,
and then do reverse arc to the floor, maybe with a re-curve.  The idea is
rococo influenced, but contemporary.

The engineering is not clear to me.  If I cut the legs out of single pieces
of timber -- even using rift sawn wood as I always do for legs, the curves
are probably going to have stretches of short grain that will make them
weak.  That is probably so even if I use wide boards and cut on the bias.  I
don't have any natural knees of the sort favored by shipwrights.

Am I over thinking this?

Has anyone done this?  Does anyone know how it was classically done so that
the furniture will survive?  Should I joint pieces so as to avoid short
grain? If so, how, using what joint?  A butt joint would be at least as weak
as short grain.

Cheers!

Joe

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