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Old 12-28-2018, 11:34 AM   #1
fordified
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Default 30 Coupe top bows

Hello guys and gals. I recently acquired some original top wood pieces that I would like to use for patterns to fabricate my own. I think it is mostly maple. My questions: Is it better to steam and bend the wood, or can I laminate the wood and just cut it with my band saw to shape? Are there any reasons not to laminate? I do not have any experience steaming wood. I will be using ash, or maple. Also, did Henry use hard maple or soft maple in the top and body wood? Thank you in advance, and Happy new year,
Kyle
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Old 12-28-2018, 11:57 AM   #2
30 Mike
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Default Re: 30 Coupe top bows

I can't answer all your questions, but in regards to steaming wood I use a wallpaper steamer and a piece of alu downspout (depending on size of wood to be bent)
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Old 12-28-2018, 02:04 PM   #3
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: 30 Coupe top bows

Kyle, what you are asking is not as simple as to what you are implying. Yes Ford used several types of hard woods as referenced on the drawings. With regard to steaming, you will need to have a fixture to bend them to that allows for spring-back, and you will need a band to compress the wood. Additionally, we buy all of our wood straight from the mill and air dry it to about 18% just for steaming. Kiln dried wood will not bend correctly from our experiences.


With regard to laminating, you likely are better off to purchase a piece of 4/4 Ash and cut to shape and plane to thickness. Since you are only about 90 miles away from Benson Library, I would go purchase the prints. The issue with using the original ribs is they have likely lost some of the curvature, and you will have an incorrect bow shape.
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Old 12-28-2018, 03:20 PM   #4
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Default Re: 30 Coupe top bows

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Thank you for the information Brent & 30 Mike.
Kyle
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