A curving a skirting board ?

Discussion in 'Carpenters' Talk' started by neibick76, Nov 27, 2016.

  1. neibick76

    neibick76 Member

    Have to do a potential job. part of it entails a curved bay window. I know you can cut numerous groves in the wood to get the bend but just doing some research and ppl seem to cut them into the face of the skirt. which i would say would look a mess.
    I would of thought the rear.
    What do you do..
     
  2. Joe95

    Joe95 Screwfix Select

    How i do it:
    Depth stop on mitre saw to about 2/3 the thickness of the board,
    Usually about every 25mm I cut,
    All on the rear of the board (saves on patching and making good)

    Sometimes I cut on the front, depends which is easier. Sometimes the boards can actually be easier to install with cuts to the face. But this increases the amount of filling to do.
     
  3. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Use MDF skirting which bends easily, you can kerf it on the back or use bendiply and a steamed moulding or cross grain ply. Loads of ways to do it which all require skill and expertise.
     
    Joe95 likes this.
  4. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select

    You cut the back of the skirting, BUT, some curves are so tight that the only way it would bend around would be to kerf the front too. In this situation it's best to find another solution, as the board is greatly weakened and its very difficult to keep a good finish as you're filling lots of kerfs.
     
  5. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select

     
  6. Joe95

    Joe95 Screwfix Select

    Very much agree, MDF skirting is much easier to work with on tight bends.
     
  7. Joe95

    Joe95 Screwfix Select

    Jord yes you are right, you could cut less but I prefer to use filler in the thinner parts as it makes it easier to curve the boards.

    Personal preference really.
     
  8. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select

    To be honest mate as rough as it sounds I prefer to cut the skirting into 8 inch segments with a 30 degree angle on both pieces and form the curve using individual pieces, I find its the quickest way, provided its to be painted not stained, obviously. Had to do a semicircular bay last year, after kerfing a 10foot length with a handsaw for over half an hour, the flex was nowhere near enough, so did the above method and was pretty happy with the result. As chippie says, loads of ways to do it.
     
  9. neibick76

    neibick76 Member

    That sound like a plan. I would put a pic up but it to big in size
     
  10. neibick76

    neibick76 Member

    Managed to get a picture on its not a tight curve
     

    Attached Files:

  11. dwlondon

    dwlondon Active Member

    get a decent timber yard to run it through a planer to take off a few more mm at the back. it will make things easier to work

    also someone else had the idea of making the flat section from 6mm mdf and topping with a wooden moulding
     
    neibick76 likes this.
  12. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    MDF will bend round that no problems, it needs to dry out a bit first though.
     
    longboat likes this.
  13. neibick76

    neibick76 Member

    Yes it will not be for a week or so yet before I do the job.
     
  14. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    What profile skirting do they want ?
     
  15. Mr Rusty

    Mr Rusty Screwfix Select

    We have a curved bay with a 200mm ish skirting in dark stain. I didn't do it but whoever the joiner was did a cracking job. saw cuts every 50mm from the front. You have to look very close to see the cuts. Helps it's dark stain.
     
    tore81 likes this.
  16. dwlondon

    dwlondon Active Member

    I suppose if you lay out 12 x 150 verticals, or whatever height you need. then push the 6mm mdf up to it will bend rather nicely into a curve then cut off the moulding from standard timber skirting, kerf it, and fit it on top of the mdf
     
  17. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    Might be better off using 3 x 6mm MDF, gluing and pressing into shape, allow to set, then use appropriate router bit for top profile.

    Mr. HandyAndy - Really
     
    Joe95 likes this.
  18. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Just bend the MDF skirting in, Your only problem will be pre-cutting the length and mitres at the end and that depends upon your skills and tools.
     
  19. longboat

    longboat Screwfix Select

    Set up an oversized length of skirting between a couple of trestles/benches, and add some weights in the middle, anything will do, paint can's, mash hammers........
    Add more weight over the space of a few days and you'll end up with a nicely formed curve, ready for fitting. :)
     
    tore81 and neibick76 like this.
  20. tore81

    tore81 Screwfix Select

    Seen a pic where a ply circle template replicating the wall was used then the skirting clamped and glued into that position over night.

    Never done it but looked good lol
     

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