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LarryH
 Post subject: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:03 pm 
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I'm bending some black walnut over a hot iron and got some short choppy 'waves' in the bend. Used quite a bit of water and wondered if that could cause it?

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Tony_in_NYC
 Post subject: Re: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:06 pm 
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You might be going to fast. Walnut bends pretty easily so you should not get those waves. Are you rocking the wood and heating more than just the small area on the iron?

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Kent Chasson
 Post subject: Re: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:15 pm 
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Are you talking about across the side? If so, it is usually due to slab or mixed grain. Less water would help but probably won't eliminate it.

If it's flamed walnut and the waves are along the bend, you're probably just getting some faceting where the grain changes direction. Not much to do about that but less water is pretty much always better.

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Rodger Knox
 Post subject: Re: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:20 pm 
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Could be too much water, or not enough heat for the amount of water you used.
Any water should be gone by the time you finish bending, at least with walnut.
It's been a while since I bent walnut, but IIRC, just a spritz of water was enough.

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LarryH
 Post subject: Re: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:23 pm 
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Kent Chasson wrote:
Are you talking about across the side? If so, it is usually due to slab or mixed grain. Less water would help but probably won't eliminate it.

If it's flamed walnut and the waves are along the bend, you're probably just getting some faceting where the grain changes direction. Not much to do about that but less water is pretty much always better.


I think the flame is causing the issue Kent and faceting is probably the best term for what I'm seeing.. I'll try a little less water.

BTW I'm bending at .083" - .088", can I go thinner?

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LarryH
 Post subject: Re: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:24 pm 
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Tony_in_NYC wrote:
You might be going to fast. Walnut bends pretty easily so you should not get those waves. Are you rocking the wood and heating more than just the small area on the iron?


Actually have begun to do more of the 'rocking' Tony and it's helping, thanks for the tip.

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Kent Chasson
 Post subject: Re: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:59 pm 
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LarryH wrote:
Kent Chasson wrote:
Are you talking about across the side? If so, it is usually due to slab or mixed grain. Less water would help but probably won't eliminate it.

If it's flamed walnut and the waves are along the bend, you're probably just getting some faceting where the grain changes direction. Not much to do about that but less water is pretty much always better.


I think the flame is causing the issue Kent and faceting is probably the best term for what I'm seeing.. I'll try a little less water.

BTW I'm bending at .083" - .088", can I go thinner?


I wouldn't go thinner than .080" partly because the faceting needs to be sanded out. Less water and maybe a spring-steel backer on the tight sections should help.

If you are getting end grain lifting or fracturing then a little more heat or a little slower bending may help too.

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LarryH
 Post subject: Re: Wavy Walnut
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:59 pm 
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Kent Chasson wrote:
LarryH wrote:
Kent Chasson wrote:
Are you talking about across the side? If so, it is usually due to slab or mixed grain. Less water would help but probably won't eliminate it.

If it's flamed walnut and the waves are along the bend, you're probably just getting some faceting where the grain changes direction. Not much to do about that but less water is pretty much always better.


I think the flame is causing the issue Kent and faceting is probably the best term for what I'm seeing.. I'll try a little less water.

BTW I'm bending at .083" - .088", can I go thinner?


I wouldn't go thinner than .080" partly because the faceting needs to be sanded out. Less water and maybe a spring-steel backer on the tight sections should help.

If you are getting end grain lifting or fracturing then a little more heat or a little slower bending may help too.


Thanks very much for the advice Kent

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