lakewoodgirl
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Post by lakewoodgirl on Feb 22, 2015 11:26:41 GMT -8
Alright, what's this I'm hearing about bendable plywood? This is not "the same" as veneer birch "exactly" is it? Where can it usually be found? Can it be asked for by another name other than bendable or flexible plywood? Is it only found at specialty lumber yards or is it listed under another name at home improvement stores? Reading company websites on it, this would be perfect for curbing or so it seems like it would be. Has anyone else used it?
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Feb 22, 2015 16:50:24 GMT -8
I'm not sure I understand your question. This has been discussed many times on this forum.
Bendable plywood would NOT be good for curbing IMO, as it's not a good structural material by itself. It has a plastic/nylon center core that allows it to bend (as in very flexible) into a tight radius, which is not required in curbing on any trailer that I have seen. You will have no problem bending 1/4" plywood, or scrap paneling (as was originally done), just so long "as you cut it cross grain".
Bendable plywood has very little application to our trailer's, about the only area I can think of might be on the tight radius curved corner cabinets. But keep in mind that it still needs a veneer over it, because it looks very course (like Luan) and would not stain/shellac to look like your other panels.
It comes in two directions 4' by 8', and also 8' by 4'. The grain is laid in different directions, depending on how long of a curved structure you need to build.
It's stocked at Hardwood Stores, not HD, or Lowes.
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goshawks
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Post by goshawks on Feb 22, 2015 17:27:04 GMT -8
Well being that I have actually used it , I can shed a little bit of light on using PB. I can't speak for all bending plywood but good quality BP does not have a center of plastic core . They are usually 1/8" two ply birch with the grain running in the same direction...either long ways (aka) column or short ways(aka) barrel. There is no veneer over it, it stains and finishes just like any other birch wood, because, IT IS-- birch.. Where to get it is another story though. I'm sorry I don't know what curbing is but I do know that you can and many times it is done this way... you can layer up several plys of 1/8" BP to make pieces stronger. BTW it is used by some of the finest furniture makers where intricate sculptured curves are needed.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Feb 22, 2015 19:58:08 GMT -8
Well being that I have actually used it , I can shed a little bit of light on using PB. I can't speak for all bending plywood but good quality BP does not have a center of plastic core . They are usually 1/8" two ply birch with the grain running in the same direction...either long ways (aka) column or short ways(aka) barrel. There is no veneer over it, it stains and finishes just like any other birch wood, because, IT IS-- birch.. Where to get it is another story though. I'm sorry I don't know what curbing is but I do know that you can and many times it is done this way... you can layer up several plys of 1/8" BP to make pieces stronger. BTW it is used by some of the finest furniture makers where intricate sculptured curves are needed. Goshawks, Curbing is another name for the edge wood that is at the perimeter of a canned ham, with "stick and tin" type construction. The original poster wants to cut this into 1 1/2" to 2" wide strips and put just a slight bend in it, then laminate it 2 1/2" thick. IMO, all of this can be easily done, and the material is much more obtainable with just normal scrap paneling, or normal 1/4" plywood.
Going to the expense of bendable paneling is over kill with no benefits, for this application.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 22, 2015 20:10:51 GMT -8
Another obvious consideration is what you can actually find. In some areas of the country you simply can't find 1/8 birch. Even high end cabinet makers can't get it. (Sorry guys, I know it drives you crazy when I say this.) So IMO if you can get ANYTHING 1/8 birch, it's worth a try with one piece.
With that said, thanks for recapping the pluses and minuses of bendable.
Can anybody share a photo of bendable plywood used in a vintage camper?
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Post by vikx on Feb 22, 2015 21:54:24 GMT -8
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 23, 2015 5:28:33 GMT -8
VIkx, thanks for the photos.
I bought some veneer recently. It was all the cabinet maker could find in thin birch. I'll keep it for corner curves.
By the way, that was an ambitious curve you tried.
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goshawks
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Post by goshawks on Feb 23, 2015 6:20:39 GMT -8
Can some one post a picture of what they are calling curbing? Also if you will look up the hread 'Isn't anyone working on their trailer anymore, I posted some pictures of bending plywood cabinets & cupborads there. Sorry I don't know how to post a link to that thread.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 23, 2015 6:34:34 GMT -8
Can some one post a picture of what they are calling curbing? Also if you will look up the hread 'Isn't anyone working on their trailer anymore, I posted some pictures of bending plywood cabinets & cupborads there. Sorry I don't know how to post a link to that thread. It's also called edge boards. It is strips of thin plywood layered over the edge of the paneling and the roof skin wraps around it. It is sometimes made from wider, thicker boards and kerfed. This is mine. It is 3/4' wide strips.
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lakewoodgirl
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Post by lakewoodgirl on Feb 23, 2015 6:54:17 GMT -8
Thanks! I guess it's a matter of whether I can find it local and comparing price. I am not ending up with very many scrap pieces of veneer so that's out of the question. I will have to buy panels just to cut for the edge itself.
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goshawks
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Post by goshawks on Feb 23, 2015 11:51:16 GMT -8
On our Trotwood the I made all the edgeboard out of 1"x2" wood from HD. A little bit of kerfing and it bent very well to the contour of the roof line.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 23, 2015 12:00:24 GMT -8
See, you did know what it was, just not by that name.
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goshawks
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Post by goshawks on Feb 23, 2015 14:38:04 GMT -8
Yes edge board by any other name is still...edge board. ;>) Now you got me curious... on the Trotwood there is a bottom row which is basically 1"x2" ( 3/4"x 1-1/2"). Then the inside ceiling wood, ( in my case 1/8 birch ply), followed by two more rows stacked on top of this ceiling wood . These rows are 1"x1" ( 3/4"x3/4"), which allows for 1-1/2" of insulation. How are other trailers, say Shastas) made?
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 23, 2015 16:25:51 GMT -8
Yes edge board by any other name is still...edge board. ;>) Now you got me curious... on the Trotwood there is a bottom row which is basically 1"x2" ( 3/4"x 1-1/2"). Then the inside ceiling wood, ( in my case 1/8 birch ply), followed by two more rows stacked on top of this ceiling wood . These rows are 1"x1" ( 3/4"x3/4"), which allows for 1-1/2" of insulation. How are other trailers, say Shastas) made? I can only speak for the Shasta Compacts. The early ones are framed with 1x2's, every where, rafters and all. They had the plywood curbing/edge board and really thin sheet/roll insulation ( I don't know if it's fiberglass or asbestos or what, it's was yellow in mine). My ceiling, back and front walls were 1/8" ash. The side walls are slightly thicker, I think they are 3/16" ash. Some trailers had birch but most of the 62's seemed to have ash. My 65 Compact is like RJ's 68. It has mostly 1x2's and some 1x3's or 4's. I haven't found the curbing in my 65 yet. All I have found in the little I've uncovered is rotted "something." Here's what my 62 looked like before I repaired it. 62 Compact
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 23, 2015 16:27:19 GMT -8
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