Mahogany Bending

[BareHook]

I am considering using mahogany for a project that would require considerable bending on a 1/8 x 1/8 strip as well as planks that are 3/32 x 3/8 nominal.

 

Will mahogany bend as I need or is it too brittle?

 

Thanks!

 

Ken

[jbshan]

If you can get some samples, even old furniture pieces, legs, panels, whatever, you can cut down to size, give it a try.  Certainly they did some amazing things with mahogany.  You will probably have to steam it.

[Jaager]

One problem that you could have is getting an identity for the species of mahogany.   A lot of tropical sourced wood that is dark red is called mahogany.  I suspect that the species that CrisCraft used in the early 20th century is not easily found now.

 

If you are after the color, see if you can source some Black Cherry.   It scales better, bends fairly well when steamed, and should not be much different in cost.

[jbshan]

Try wrapping a strip in a damp paper towel and putting it in the microwave.

[gwish]

Yo can use a technique that rubber powered model airplane builders use.  They take extremely thin strips, and laminate them into the curve they want.  The laminating process holds the curves very well.  They also still steam or soak them in hot water to bend to the approx shape before laminating.

[Tallshiptragic]

I used thick mahogany strips for my capping rails. It'll bend to a point very well after soaking in warm water and use of an iron. Though do this is steps until you get the desired bend. Otherwise it will break.