How to Bend Wood for a Table Leg

Bending wood is an art that has produced some of the finest pieces of furniture. These include fancy, bowed back chairs and other decorative pieces of furniture. To do it yourself you need the proper equipment which includes a steam hut and the right type of wood. In addition you will need a press or a form to help you shape the wood.

Instructions

1

Soak the wood in a water for a day or two. This will help to make the wood pliable and easier to bend.

2

Remove the wood from the water and place it in a steam closet. You can build a simple steam closet for wood of any shape and length. For a common wood rod, use a hot plate inside of a small melamine closet or box that can hold your wood. You can also connect a hose to a covered pot and pump the steam into the closet.

3

Boil water to create steam and steam the wood for about an hour allowing enough time for the wood to become soft enough to bend. A good gauge is one hour for every inch of thickness. It may be longer for harder woods.

4

After the wood is steamed, remove it using thick heat gloves and tongs. Immediately clamp the end of the wood rod to your form. Your form can be made from any material including wood, concrete or metal and it should be cut to mimic the final shape of the wood.

5

Bend the wood around the form using your protective gloves, clamping it securely to the form as you work. C-clamps or vises are the best way to clamp the wood to the form.