Q&A for How to Bend Wood

Make a form similar to the first method, but in 3D. Steam, and glue thin sheets; press together very hard.

Cut across the grain.

If you steam bent the wood, you could just steam it again and that would be the only option. If it were kerf bent or laminate bent you're out of luck.

Steaming and laminating, because they still keep the structure of the wood, whereas the cuts make it weaker.

Some wood stretchers are used as benders. Ask the retailer if your stretcher can be converted.

It depends on the type of wood you want to use. Some tree species, such as oak, beech and ash bend very well with steam bending. Others like pines, firs and tropical hard woods don't bend well. If your trim is thin enough, it may bend without using steam. Also see the lamination technique for bending wood.

The technique witnessed for curves around stairs or pools is the lamination method. It is a soft wood, which may make it easier, but also prone to dents. It is an ecological choice vs. treated wood.

Yes.

Using the kerf method as shown, but do not epoxy or laminate the wood. Permanent is a strong word to use here as, depending on the wood and quality of the kerfing, the wood may fail with repeated use.

The kerf-bending method would normally use either wood glue or epoxy.

You can kerf bend it but it may just be easier to go with a 1/4" or 3/8" bending plywood from your local wood supplier and use a trash veneer on top, bonds and sand as needed and then apply the veneer that you want the piece to be.