Bent wood cabinets

**Stefrobrts** · 09-05-2003, 09:46 AM

I'm such a woodworking novice, I've been wondering about this, but haven't been able to find an answer. How do they make bent wood cabinets? You know, with those gentle curves like in the vintage vacations Globetrotter, or even on the newer airstream's cabinets? If anyone knows, please share.

thenewkid64 · 09-05-2003, 11:08 AM

Many of the cabinet boxes are made of plywood with a rounded corner that is milled or curved then covered by a sheet of veneer or laminate.

It really is beautiful

**Chuck** · 09-05-2003, 11:20 AM

very tedious advanced techiques involve steaming the wood, and using forms and clamps to slowly bend it to the desired shape. very expen$ive

Pahaska · 09-05-2003, 11:35 AM

My International has the current bentwood cabinets. The curved corners are separate pieces of 3/4" plywood that are laid up with the curve built in. These are joined with flat 3/4" plywood to make up the cabinet assemblys, then the entire cabinet is covered with laminate. You can see the construction inside the wardrobe.

Very strong and very attractive. I find that the rounded corners make the trailer much nicer to move around in. It feels more spacious than it really is.

swebster · 09-05-2003, 05:27 PM

I worked for an aircraft interior shop for a while many years ago and helped one of their master carpenters make up a curved door for a bar in a very nice custom Gulfstream. He used about three thin layers of plywood (maybe 1/4"?), cross cut them, clamped the first one to a plywood form with the correct radius. Then he glued the second to the first, then the third. Then he covered everything with a cherry veneer and trimmed out all of the trim. Took him about two days to finish everything.