bending bumpers

[CharlieWilken]

Is it possible to soak and bend the 3/4 inch plywood to make a curved bumper? We have some large radii on the ends of our robot. Anyone try this?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Charlie,
You can bend dimension lumber but plywood has intentionally crossed the grain of the layers such that they won't bend. The crossed grain is what gives plywood it's strength. You can slice it almost through it thickness (1/2-1" apart) and that leaves only a few layers to bend.

[GaryVoshol]

Don't forget the "within 10 degrees of vertical" rule.

[Dad1279]

1/4" plywood will bend. You could glue together 3 layers of 1/4" to make the thickness of 3/4".