Bending Laminate

[cumbriasteve]

My better half has decided I like the design of the stairs covering shown, actually I do but it's much more fun complaining.

The work is easy enough and the effect looks well, my small problem is the face of the bottom step has a small 90 degree curve at the end for about 3" to meet the bottom newel post.

So I need to match curve the last few inches of the laminate, suppose I could weaken the back with half depth cuts, perhaps steam and a former of sorts but does anyone know an easier way...or even the professional way.

 

[gaz1]

 

[cumbriasteve]

Cheers Gaz, I always forget good old you tube.

Looks like my initial plan was about right.

 

[tomsutton529]

Wouldn't the panel pins look awful?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Wouldn't the panel pins look awful?

My thoughts too, no way will I be pinning it.

Will be using gripfill or will get myself a high performance hot glue gun.

 

[gaz1]

if you dont use panel pins then use some sort of system that pushes the laminate against the step otherwise it springs off every time until the glue is fully set some places have a stone step and therefore you have to adapt by putting in a double wood bar to fasten to it flush with the slope that your making

if your any good you could use a locking bar or a wedge bar already fastened to the laminate

 

[Shedendman]

Check out secret nailing

 

[zx9]

Wouldn't the panel pins look awful?

In the video he is firing the brads into the laminate close to the edge, they will be lost under the tread laminate or carpet, any that are visible could be filled with wax.

 

[zx9]

So I need to match curve the last few inches of the laminate, suppose I could weaken the back with half depth cuts, perhaps steam and a former of sorts but does anyone know an easier way...or even the professional way.

Steaming laminate will end in tears.

 

[Shox Dr]

Wouldn't the panel pins look awful?

You'd not see then unless you looked for them, esp. At floor level
I fitted 400mm wide kitchen cabinets under the staircase, some of the parts are pinned, you can see them if you look hard enough

 

[tomsutton529]

I would know and that would be enough.. But I suppose if you got them in right place and did some trials with wood filler you could get rid.

I remember me and my dad laying an oak floor in the bathroom of his house, he used screws to secure the planks, I insisted that it would look awful and he should use period nails.. All he said "ye of little faith".. once the job was done it looked bloody awful and i left him to the rest of his evening.. When I went back a week later he had turned down some oak dowel on the lathe, cut it to the right size and used them as inserts, he left the slightly proud then sanded them back and stained the floor.. You need a microscope and degree in wood grain identification to tell where they are.

 

[cumbriasteve]

When I went back a week later he had turned down some oak dowel on the lathe, cut it to the right size and used them as inserts, he left the slightly proud then sanded them back and stained the floor.. You need a microscope and degree in wood grain identification to tell where they are.

I used to do similar on boat gunnels but I used a plug drill, if you took care and got the plugs grain exactly in line they were never seen, you had to use offcuts of the actual timber you had used though, use a different bit even of the same type and you could find them.

 

[tomsutton529]

I used to do similar on boat gunnels but I used a plug drill, if you took care and got the plugs grain exactly in line they were never seen, you had to use offcuts of the actual timber you had used though, use a different bit even of the same type and you could find them.

He built a boat in his teens with his brothers and dad so he probably got the idea from there.

 

[brewdexta]

When making the plugs or drilling the hole for them, take it nice and slow or you get a feint black line around it where the wood has started to burn slightly, especially in oak.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Yeah have seen the black line..you are totally correct, we used iroko a lot, steamed in a long box with a kettle and bit of rubber tubing aiming the steam in... the good old days

 

[Shox Dr]

I would know and that would be enough.. But I suppose if you got them in right place and did some trials with wood filler you could get rid.

I remember me and my dad laying an oak floor in the bathroom of his house, he used screws to secure the planks, I insisted that it would look awful and he should use period nails.. All he said "ye of little faith".. once the job was done it looked bloody awful and i left him to the rest of his evening.. When I went back a week later he had turned down some oak dowel on the lathe, cut it to the right size and used them as inserts, he left the slightly proud then sanded them back and stained the floor.. You need a microscope and degree in wood grain identification to tell where they are.

I totally agree, I know they are there, and they do speak to me, one day I might get round to filling them. But to the average person, they dont notice the doors never mind the panel pins