Idea for bending panel.

[bleeth]

Been mentally mulling a reception desk for the front office and already have a killer top that is bow front so, of course, the base will be too. Would like to do some pattern and/or other decorative 3-D on the face but would need to cut it flat and then bend it around the base.
Thinking 3/4 PVC and then heating it to bend it.

Anyone do this this way or some other?

[jerry_stanek]

The company I worked for did something like this but they used Corian and bent

[Brady Watson]

It all depends on the design. If you are doing appliques that aren't too large in circumference direction, you can tape some sandpaper on the round surface and back cut sand it to match in any wood.

You can use PVC - make sure it is semi-solid like Komatex and not with foam core. It isn't the best machining stuff for 3D, but it is OK. Do a sample before you commit to a whole sheet. You may not be happy with the porosity.

Some shops I work with that do this make a rubber mold of the flat, cast polyurethane and bend, nail and paint it right on. This is more involved, but the cost justifies the advantages. It isn't as complicated as it sounds...OooMoo or Amazing putty for the mold and SmoothOn plastic of your durometer of choice.

-B

[bleeth]

Definitely don't want to use Corian-I plan on finishing it and want good paint adhesion.
Thinking 3/4 PVC and then heat gun bending. The panel will be around 32" x 84". I've carved some for signs and it actually works well and holds paint terrific.
Also thinking about the stuff they use for flex molding if I can find a flat sheet somewhere. Could also just build a flat mold to pour a sheet and then carve it. I saw one of the Smooth-on products that says it carves well after pouring and then stays flexible, but I need to talk to them direct. Some of their products actually return to a liquid state over a few years.
One of my college jobs was in a pvc plant (love that chlorine smell!). We used to have some good fun with warm stuff bending it into some crazy shapes. Had a piece of 4" pipe a couple feet long twisted into a tight solid tube. Made a heck of an equalizer and looked very neat.