How to? ROBERT G. LOCK
Construct a cap strip bending form A cap strip bending form is a fixture in which
wing rib cap strips are bent to proper curvature. The cap strips will have their fibers softened in hot water and then are clamped in this fixture while still wet. When the moisture has dried they may be removed from the form and will retain their curvature. To make the form it will be necessary to secure a large section of soft wood—I like to find a really good piece of fine-grained and knot-free redwood about 18 inches in length that measures at least 4 inches by 4 feet. Using an existing wing rib, trace the outline of the upper (and if necessary the lower) cap strip nose section where the bend is the most extreme. Since the formed cap strips will tend to “spring back” somewhat after they are removed from the form, it is a good idea to saw the block with a slightly sharper curve than needed. Cut the form with a band saw and sand the cut smooth.
These three illustrations depict the drawn curve, the band saw’s guide line and the 2 pieces that result in the cut.
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