Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
A strip of wood, as we’ve talked about before, is really just a bundle of fibers stacked together. When we try to bend it, we run into a problem—the outer curve is under tension and can snap as it stretches, creating a chain reaction that splits the rest of the wood fibers... and suddenly, you’ve got two pieces. Interestingly, the inside curve fibers are much less likely to break because they’re under compression.
By focusing more force on compressing the inside curve, rather than stretching the outside, we can bend the wood much more easily, reducing the chance of breaking. But how can we achieve this? A method that’s been around for more than a century is to prevent movement on the outside by using a metal strap.
For example, if I cut a strip of roof flashing that’s the same length as the wood I plan to bend and attach it to either end with sheet metal vice grips, I can stabilize the outside fibers, stopping them from stretching while putting compression force on the inside of the bend. To see this in action, we’ll bend two strips—one without the strap and one with it.
While this setup alone isn’t enough for practical bending, if we add heat and moisture, we can achieve strong, lasting bends.
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Mike Lornitis
Les N.
Gary G.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
Doug F.
#MTbitesize #makethings
A strip of wood, as we’ve talked about before, is really just a bundle of fibers stacked together. When we try to bend it, we run into a problem—the outer curve is under tension and can snap as it stretches, creating a chain reaction that splits the rest of the wood fibers... and suddenly, you’ve got two pieces. Interestingly, the inside curve fibers are much less likely to break because they’re under compression.
By focusing more force on compressing the inside curve, rather than stretching the outside, we can bend the wood much more easily, reducing the chance of breaking. But how can we achieve this? A method that’s been around for more than a century is to prevent movement on the outside by using a metal strap.
For example, if I cut a strip of roof flashing that’s the same length as the wood I plan to bend and attach it to either end with sheet metal vice grips, I can stabilize the outside fibers, stopping them from stretching while putting compression force on the inside of the bend. To see this in action, we’ll bend two strips—one without the strap and one with it.
While this setup alone isn’t enough for practical bending, if we add heat and moisture, we can achieve strong, lasting bends.
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Mike Lornitis
Les N.
Gary G.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
Doug F.
#MTbitesize #makethings
