Kerf Bending Wood Explained & Stress Test

[@TiffanyVincent]

Definitely more of these, love that it ties to the previous project too.

[@laurakampf]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@nomms]

@@laurakampf I 100% agree. It's awesome to see it applied, which gets me very interested in trying it and makes the technique a lot less abstract. Then the follow up with a how to was *chef's kiss*.

[@nomad61u2]

Absolutely. If you have a project that gets lots of questions, this type of reply video is pretty interesting. I also like the length and amount of detail (not super long, and focusing on the general idea)

[@catherines.2955]

@@laurakampf Yes, it's good to see some of the behind the scenes of your videos. I've been enjoying watching you assemble your various projects but often wonder how much planning, drawing, figuring out do you do in advance; because that part doesn't seem to make it into your videos.

[@glencarolo2597]

Absolutely love the content and agree with the other's.

[@nathanfell8993]

YES PLEASE LAURA! More tutorials!!! My first request: welding for beginners. I think a lot of makers are intimidated with welding (cost/safety/skill level) and I think having an adventurous, open spirit such as yourself explain how and what you've learned would be immensely helpful. What do you think?

[@feidhlimoshea8180]

My advice is buy a cheap stick welder and just start practicing. That's what everyone recommended to me and its working well for me so far. It's easy enough, if a 13 year old (me) you can do it too

[@Onesize17]

@@feidhlimoshea8180 Stick is best to learn on! Lots of older stick welders for sale, just make sure to test it before purchase. Don't buy cheap chinesium junk.

[@mjremy2605]

No. She is not a welding school and cannot possibly cover the safety issues in a short video. Welding is easy, but you need to follow all safety protocols. One mistake and you become an charred burger. You can get a small welding kit from Harbor Freight. Take a basic safety course online and read the manual and jump in. Aluminum welding is different. Its much easier than wood working and you use far less tools.

[@nathanielowensleigh7513]

Actually, I feel that the most appropriate integration to welding is oxy-fuel. It is inexpensive, quiet and allows the student to visualize what is happening within the metal. Smelting before welding, and then introduce electric current. Metal is a lot like clay, as it has a memory and sweet spots for manipulation. Oxy-fuel let’s the student experience the transition from solid to sweat to molten.

[@michaelwatts354]

I whole heartedly agree

[@gamingastronaut517]

Despite your normal videos being already awesome I really like these tutorials because they help me as a beginner a lot. And I really like the idea of getting to see a technique and then getting to see how to do it.

[@Havreflan]

This amount of tie-in tutorial is perfect. Not a complete instructional video for a specific project, just an explanation of some of the techniques used in the previous video.

[@laurakampf]

Cool! Thanks for your feedback!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

It was REALLY fun watching this after spending some serious time with a snare drum using this same process. This process is quite cool Kerf Drum Co is the only one (to our knowledge) using this process for making drums and they're doing it with solid wood...and without gluing the kerfs! Thanks for the excellent exploration into the process from a craftsman perspective.

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

Thanks Laura! That was hecka helpful ::) I do like these kinds of videos, as long as you like making them

[@davidtrustman4308]

I bend kerffed solid wood all the time for guitars. I use a radial arm saw set up with 5 blades to cut kerffing. Then either bend it using a form, moisture, and heat (silicone heat blanket) or by hand on a bending iron.

[@garryryan3654]

This is my favourite kind of video. I learn new techniques, you are great at showing how things work, and you don't get lost in the details.

[@jackietan555]

Love the tutorial. I also love the approach. Not too techy and quick and dirty testing techniques!

[@manythingslefttobuild]

Please keep doing videos where your passion takes you. This deeper dive into kerf bending was a good video, the glue test was a surprise. Something that has worked for me on awkward glue ups is using a shop vacuum to pull the glue deeper into joints.

[@dottyjyoung]

THAT is something I've never heard of. Thanks for the tip.

[@Apismeliffera]

Loved your methodology for testing the strength of the glue. And the tutorial video was well worth my time watching it. Thank you.

[@beastie67]

Really like these explanation videos! As a restarter in woodworking after 30 years of not doing any, it is SUPER helpful! Thanks!

[@chrisnorton2837]

I've used this technique many times in metal fab as well. "Kerfing" the metal to get around corners is really useful when you're making custom pieces for modding old cars and trucks. 👍

[@macexpert7247]

yes more of these, perhaps as a Partreon exclusive?

[@mjremy2605]

Loved it! We need more demos on these details. This was so informative. The 'regular wood glue' is called PVA glue or Polyvinyl Acetate. It is very versatile. In the US you can get: 1. Elmers Glue - Cheap PVA glue for school use. 2. Carpenters Glue - High quality PVA glue for wood working. Example Titebond I, Titebond II (best), Titebond III (Exterior), etc. 3. Archival Quality Acid-Free PVA Buffered PVA Glue for framing art prints and museum work.4. Construction type or model work high strength PVA glue. One possible drawback with PVA is that if you are gluing oak (Quercus robur), it may react with the tannin in the wood and go black, even staining surrounding wood if the surplus is not wiped off immediately. I bet if you had pushed that PVA glue all the way into the kerfs using compressed air, it would not have broken. Fun Fact: Polyvinyl acetate, PVA’s main chemical component, was discovered by the German Fritz Klatte in 1912. Hurrah for German engineering and inventiveness!

[@laurakampf]

Wow thanks for all the infos!!

[@bryandonahue8302]

I really enjoyed this video too. Most of why I watch makers, like yourself, is to get inspired. And this was no exception. Keep up the fantastic work

[@juliancoady5939]

Love this kind of content. But for my money you can do no wrong. Keep up the fantastic and inspirational work!

[@JenniferPChung]

That's awesome to see all the comparisons in one go. It is something I want to try one day. I've seen some videos stop/minimize the crack by steaming the wood. I've seen people dump pots of hot water into a container and weigh it down, a steamer (two separate artists that love to bend wood), and an iron with the steam option. At face value, all worked at the end. But if I'm going to cover up the edges, it might be more work than it's worth so I would just do what you did.

[@linamatthews512]

Yes please! I really enjoyed this video. Even though I have zero building skills, i love watching talented people like you create things, especially when you use material that everyone else thinks is junk or trash.

[@ThomasWren]

To bend the solid wood, wet it. Put some wet paper towel over the wood so the top layer gets a lot of moister in it and then bend it.

[@W4ABN]

Agreed. Steam bending has been used in boatbuilding for a long time so getting it wet should help.

[@cfdtv1]

I agree with Thomas. Also bend with the grain whenever possible, not across it. The wood will flex(crush) more along the soft portions of the grain.

[@JCWren]

Another Wren! Don't see that very often.

[@BakerGlare]

See also the purfling in acoustic guitars, mandolins, etc. Same principle.

[@brckshouse3660]

Iron with a wet rag to do a quick and dirty steam.

[@davidremack9173]

You're a great teacher !

[@johnc6440]

Great - like the tutorlal and in-depth approach

[@siliconshaman]

I think you could apply a trick to gluing the kerf that I've used in model making, if you bend the kerf slightly the *other* way, i.e not in the direction of the curve, to open up the cuts, and then apply the glue with a popsicle stick, so it goes all the way down to the bottom of the cut, then when you bend the kerf the right way, the cut will fill from top to bottom with glue giving better adhesion. As for bending solid wood.. apply steam to the outside of the kerf curve.. making the thin wood layer more malleable. It works for model aircraft wings so maybe it'll work for this. And please, more videos like this when you introduce a new technique, it's very helpful!

[@SebastianPastry]

Enjoying this style of format as well as the usual!

[@oliverreinke5307]

For solid wood bending using kerfs (only), youa have to make then on both sides of the piece and alternate them. You can also make in different axis on each side and achive bending and twisting the piece.

[@ryanwilson3126]

I really like most of what you put out. Most silent vids where people shove an object into the camera for a second and set it down and goto the next and so on I hate. I like the way you do yours with the let glue dry etc. signs. The music you choose is great. So keep doing what your doing and I like the way you mix it up. Some if vids like this and others where you build. Thanks

[@CaesarIII]

As others have said already, those explaination videos are a great addition. And if the majority of your viewers thinks that way it's a win win for all of us. You can shoot this in tandem with the original video and have a spare video to get your head free if needed ha!

[@OhHeyTrevorFlowers]

I like both types of videos but I have to admit that I like the product videos where we get to see your creativity more than I like the tutorial videos.

[@shivadas.de.schrijver]

What I did this summer was "laminate" a thin layer on the inside of the bend. I could totally jump stand and do anything afterwards!

[@roryevans5032]

Good idea. I wonder if a good way to do this would be to route out two long channels across the top surface of the wood a little inset from the edges before cutting the Kerf lines. Then do the kerf cuts and bend, and glue/laminate two strips inside those channels to give a flush finish, with a neat banded appearance. That way you don't need to accomodate the new thicknesss if your item has long continous curves like Laura's original project, but you get the added strength from your extra laminate layer.

[@murrij]

Definitely more of these please! You have a gift at making things engaging and clear and very easy to understand.

[@PeacefulPagoda]

I personally like these more tutorial-based videos, but probably the same amount as I like the regular build videos. Apples and oranges, both delicious.

[@asterixgaul7076]

You speak the truth Laura. I want to do something and I search KZbin and there’s so many videos and I get lost and discouraged and stop doing it. You method of just spending time at the workshop is best. I will follow it

[@changeyourname8320]

Been waiting on a popular KZbin to explain this method for a long time 🥰

[@changeyourname8320]

Steam the hard wood after kerf cutting

[@changeyourname8320]

Or go with the grain?

[@deliaguzman1138]

I've been a little obsessed but a little frightened by this whole area of woodworking; thanks for breaking it all down and taking some of the mystery away! Hoping to try it soon!

[@joeellwood5113]

I've made quite a few projects using kerf-bending, I always add a few splices out of 4mm ply running across the kerf. It ties them all together and in my experience makes a much stronger bend!

[@Sol-hl2rj]

Cool video! I didn’t expect the polyurethane glue to crack first.. lesson learned, and yes so much nicer to work with regular wood glue! As other suggests, wet the veneer with water. I’ve yet to try; but a handheld steamer might also do the trick.

[@amsmithonline]

Love the tutorial approach - especially the calibrated testing! Surprising results with the wood glue! I did my first kerf bending of stair risers using oak plywood 30 years ago. Still looks great today.

[@lissataylor12345]

Loved it! I like hearing your thoughts behind the build. What worked and what didn’t. Thx for sharing.

[@samueltyler889]

As much as I love your notes written on masking tape, I really enjoyed hearing you explain what you're doing in more depth. Thanks for showing multiple techniques and experimenting too. Great video.

[@yadayada752]

I don't do any kind of woodworking, but I love watching your creativity.

[@JohnvanGurp]

Thanks Laura! Love these real life shop tests… my son makes nice modern furniture in a small shop Montreal and has always told me that wood will usually fail along a grain line before a wood glue joint will break. I use Titebond 3 in all my amateurish woodworking projects. I might play around with some kerf bending today after watching your video, so thanks for the inspiration. Have a great day!

[@niklasgranath5143]

More of these please. You are like me. Try and test before using new methods. Keep up the good work👍👏👏

[@johilpert9149]

I like both types of videos. The ones that show the project work and the tutorial type. I just love watching everything you do and wish I could do it through osmotic learning. Thank you.

[@EddyOToole]

As an amateur craftsman I love how-to/skill building content!

[@elizabethoconnor3386]

This was great! I like the deep dive into a technique. Even just a basic run through with suggestions on where to find more info is great!

[@adapa22]

Great philosophy! Better try and error than get lost in information! Thanks for your generosity.

[@TikiTim]

Really like the occasional in-depth explainer video. But don't change over completely. Your "what happened" videos are awesome!

[@tayleanruatha]

Agreed 👍

[@lcbphd]

You are such an excellent teacher - your explanations are clear and so helpful - love this type of thing sprinkled in with your usual projects - THANK YOU ❤️

[@laurakampf]

❤️❤️

[@georgehyker]

I really liked this video. Very informative and very well done.

[@itwaslikethatwhenigothere]

More tutorial videos please Laura. I really enjoy your project videos, but I also like to get a better look at particular techniques that you use in your projects sometimes.

[@larslindthomsen7370]

Hey. I have cut the grooves very close in solid wood. Lars from Denmark

[@keke071]

I've learned from school that wood glue is amazing because of the ( I'm not sure how to call it ) "molecule" of glue is basically a sitck witch turn 90 degres on itself when drying and doing so, because of the water expansing the wood fibers, it lock everything in place. I can't say anything about PU glue but I'm pretty sure it doesn't work the same way as we saw on your tests. Anyway, Your work is amazing and you helped me to be more confident and more effective in my work as a maker and woodworker. Thank you for being you !

[@fatimadomingues9486]

Hi..I'm from Brazil, and I love your vídeo.. congratulations..😁🙏😚

[@whazee]

I'm happy with a mix of videos from you Laura. I like the big, long builds. The short, cool builds. The tutorial or vlog videos. Whatever interests you at the time translates across to me as the viewer. So, just do you! 😊👍 . . . . ...maybe more Smudo videos... 🐕 PROST!!! 🤪

[@laurakampf]

Thanks!!

[@pachting]

Yes, this kind of video's is ALSO interesting ! thanks

[@ماجدعايدية]

Thanks.. See you next week!

[@brianedwards9167]

Laura - I LOVE your videos in general, and I really appreciate this more in-depth, how-to video. Your standard videos are interesting and entertaining, but I sometimes come away from them wanting to know more about how you did certain things and why.

[@mattJsy1]

Steam solid wood. Having been a boat builder for years it's the best way for sure 👍

[@JamesLelyveld]

More please - super useful and makes the technique far more approachable.

[@LowellMorgan]

This video was great, very inspirational. Though I'm happy with any videos you do so just keep doing videos.

[@jimbo386]

Great video! Instructive videos once in a while is good to give some details about your builds. Also... I don't have much experience with wood, but steaming bending with a damp towel and an iron could do the trick to make the wood (non-plywood) bend.

[@TomBellQLD]

Thanks for the no bs straight to the point short sharp video. All killer no filler.

[@olddawg2979]

I like these presentations you have a effective communication style that gets the message across

[@tomim7187]

Yes! More tutorials! And I also, do not like Polyurethane glues for general woodworking. They are not as strong as PVA glues. Loved the video!

[@Sbregher]

Just found your channel! You create awesome videos! Please create more videos like this one! Thanks for taking the time to make this video for us woodworkers!

[@Hessijames79]

I like the in-depth tutorial format. You‘ll find the right mixture.

[@nybergr2]

Love your usual videos but absolutely love and appreciate the breakdown of techniques and testing them as well! That's how my brain works.

[@jasmine-ruff-puff9951]

I don't plan on getting into woodworking, but this tutorial video is just as interesting to watch as your usual ones (which I love watching). 👍

[@harolddubois1791]

Yes, this format of video is also appreciated !!! Quick to see, quick to learn !!!

[@timk282]

I really enjoyed this video and found it very informative. You have an excellent approach to this kind of content. I found it very easy to follow

[@GrahamDallas]

Great video, I'm pretty sure Jimmy did kerf bending of solid wood a few years back, cut one side as you have done, flip over and cut the other side at an angle if I remember right.

[@oldman719]

One of the most informing videos I've seen. Bring more tutorials please.

[@edwardmedina1594]

Thank you for this quick, easy and very informative video. Honestly, very helpful.

[@donnecheli2721]

I like when you build a piece of furniture/art and then show how you did the specific technique. Also you prototype videos are also very interesting

[@broono25]

Yes!!! Please more of these you made this one really well!

[@keithholdsworth4125]

I watched this, looked at your previous varied video's and have subscribed! Main reason?...you've been doing original ideas and not copycat videos like so many are publishing these days! Good work!!!!

[@felixgla30]

Love the deep dive videos, lots of useful tips! Kinda like a "Maker Science" class

[@fuzzydude66]

Laura, please make more videos like this! Any tips or tricks that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

[@nathanielowensleigh7513]

Awesome video, great technique. It’s a go to for creative fabrication. I’ve always used water to open the wood prior to glue up, as the water makes the wood playable, and the capillary action sucks the glue into the wood. Great video, keep sharing!

[@camachof87]

This was a great video! Keep making more of these ones! And your usual videos are awesome too! Thanks for sharing!

[@catherines.2955]

Watching the process you take to solve build problems helps us develop techniques to solve our build problems. :)

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great information. Surprised about the glue. Mahalo for sharing!🙂🐒

[@5gerade]

Riesen Dank für das Video! Danke! 🙏 Und ja, gerne mehr davon. 👍

[@NachoGarciaGuzman]

Wow I will try to include this process in a camper van proyect. It´s amaizing. Thanks and congrats for your job.

[@bruceburkhart1650]

Great content, as always! I like that you used that technique (kerf bending) in the bookshelf video then followed up with a tutorial and insight about the technique.

[@hodgeh]

Love both tutorials and the regular project videos. Variety is the spice of life or wood glue of life perhaps

[@myturkishlife1777]

Great video, we used to buy sheets of ready "kerfed" MDF in 9mm and layered it up to make curved speaker enclosures then veneered them. Great video appreciate your time 👍👍

[@ageluno]

Really great video, love it👍👍👍

[@Maker_of_Things]

Kerf bending isn't a difficult thing to calculate if your maths is ok and you can work with a bit of geometry, but much easier to work out with a test piece to overlay on a drawing. I have kerf bent solid wood without problems, but it depends on the piece of wood sometimes. wetting or steaming a bit helps. With plywood it is necessary to consider grain direction on the outside of the piece, and keep it the same as the test piece. The last kerf bend I did was strengthened with a sheet of veneer on the inside of the curve, glued and pressed in afterwards, to provide a line of continuous grain. When making large diameter curves I have often used more kerf cuts (and less deeply cut) then would be needed as this reduces the facets on the outside leading to a smoother surface. As the kerfs are not closed up you can't glue them together, but a sheet or two of veneer glued to the inside of the curve solves this.

[@raylarkin5004]

Laura, i am always interested in what you do and how you do it. Having done this many times, i find this far better than using flexible bending plywood and agree about p.u. glue as having to activate it with water is just a process i would avoid for this use. And also, your instruction is clear, correct and easy to follow. You are a great crafts person and as always, I like your smiling face. 😊

[@kyprossofroniou5312]

Hi , for the solid wood to bend it and cams really nice you have to cut it and before you curve it you have to moisture the pice that you curved, best way is with a prayer ( the sprayer for cleaning the windows works really good) and then you glue and bending!!!!

[@richardcampbell4506]

I like the tutorials when they relate to an existing or previous project. Love seeing your learnings!

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Laura, I always want the details of how you construct a project! Please provide regularly!!

[@DrTurtleBee]

To Kerf bend solid wood. Alternate cuts on either side of the piece, back and front. It relieves the stress on the grain. You may wish to leave a bit more material in your cut though.

[@binaryburnout3d]

WOW, that last bit with the stress test was really illuminating. thanks.

[@SebastianHornbaek]

I think the ultimate combo would be you keep doing your very inspiring projects and then perhaps do short videos on core concepts from the project videos. Then you can cross-reference those guide videos more and more on future projects as you go along! Love your talented and inspiring work, keep up the good work! ☺️

[@stephanlottgen4944]

Nice Video format to make a nice series. I really like the move! You can use it like a dj, Everytime the audience is crying for a deep dive, you can make such a video! 🙏💪 Awesome.

[@DanielHempelman]

Fantastic video. I suspect that the PU glue is more fragile because it expands as a foam rather than making a solid bond. Thank you for doing the stress test so we could see a clear difference between the two.

[@MorseB]

Thickened epoxy is also a great glue for kerf bending. It doesn't require clamping, and completely fills the cuts with what is more or less solid plastic.

[@bgcarpinteria8127]

excelente video laura un abrazo argentina

[@SoNowWhat]

I love these tutorials!