warped wood

[gtanty]

Hi,

 

I'm not sure whether I'm in the right forum, but I have a problem.  I've built a number of Model Expo kits and I'm at the beginning stage of building their coffee wagon.  I removed the 4 wooden parts of the urn platform and the individual pieces immediately warped.  I tried wetting them and pressing them under a heavy weight and that didn't work.  Even though our humidity levels here in NM are very low, particularly when compared to the high humidity on FL, I don't think that's the problem.  I wrote to them concerning this problem and they told me to join and post my problem here.  Has anyone else had a problem with kit wood warping?  Do you have any ideas on what I could try to solve this problem?

 

Thanks

 

George

[SKID]

George, I would say you have several options to consider.

If assembled would the parts straighten themselves out being glued together.

Sounds like you have already tried the wetting technique. Maybe try steaming with an iron.

Other ideas would be to contact the manufacturer for a replacement sheet.

Another would be to buy your own wood and create a pattern to cut out on the new wood.

 

Hope you find a solution that works for you.

[gtanty]

Kevin

 

Thanks for your ideas.  The pieces basically form an open sided and open topped box.  Wood is 1/32" thick.  I'm going to have to build a basic jig to do the glue up.  Since the wood is so thin, I don't see the problem resolving itself.  I did try a steam iron.  I have a piece of wood stock to cut my own pieces, but two of them have some small scallopy kind of profile which might not be easy to duplicate.  I'm going to try requesting another board from Model Expo.

 

Thanks again

 

George

[bogeygolpher]

If possible you might want to try to make a number of kerf cuts on the back side of the parts.  Make the cuts parallel to each other about 1/16" apart cutting halfway through the thickness of the material.  Then fill the cuts with PVA glue, place them between a few straight boards, and clamp them together (surround them with waxed paper to keep them from sticking to the straight boards) so they will remain flat.  Leave them to dry overnight and when removed they should be straight and remain that way.  The surface with the glue on it can be painted but not stained.

 

I've used that method many times with models as well as when making furniture.

 

Good luck.

[gtanty]

That's awesome bogey!  I'm trying that first thing in the morning.  It will be a bit of a challenge since the wood is only 1/32".  Thanks a lot for your saving this model

 

George