Hi there, I’m working on my first design project making a chair in small production and looking to use wood strictly as a decorative element as opposed to a structural one. I will need half spheres 1-1/4″ diameter x 20″ long in a half dozen exotic woods, from light to dark. These wooden elements will be glued onto metal, which I expect to flex up to 2 mm.
I will be applying a “stretching” glue, but should I worry that the wood elements may crack from the flex? Some of the woods I am considering are ebony, mahogany, teak, etc…
I am not at all familiar with the wood industry and wonder how to go about getting finished elements. I am assuming that the processes will include cutting to size, sanding and finishing. Will a lumber yard do all that? If not, who’s the next on the process chain?…
Thank you for your suggestions and assistance.
Replies
Vic,
>> I will need half spheres 1-1/4" diameter x 20"
I don't get it. You must mean half cylinders? What, like a rod or dowels split in half length ways?
I've not seen a lumber yard that will do that. What you'll need in my opinion is a resourceful wood worker with a lath that can turn these for you, then rip them.
What diameter is the outer radius on the dowels? It also occurs to me that possibly they could be cut with a router and a beading or round over bit, or a shaper or a molding cutter on a table saw.
jdg
Thanks jdg. Yes, like a 1-1/4" rod split in half by a 1/4" thick saw (which is the thickness of the metal on which the 2 "halves" will be glued on).
Lumber yard to wood shop to my facilities... Ok, seems simple enough.
No concern about the flex?
Thanks again
Yep, the flex may be problem, but I think with some experimentation, you can overcome that. Can you fasten the wood thru the metal in three places from underneath? Like maybe three screws (in addition to some epoxy), one at each end and one in the middle.
jdg
I'd like to simply apply the glue to the metal/wood surface but, if necessary I'll add a mechanical binding element.
Thanks a lot for your feedback.
Vic
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