Fountain Table in Bent Ash

I call this a "Fountain Table" because the bent uprights look like they are shooting up out of the stepped base. It is very tall, at 36", and about 18" deep x 40" across, with a 60" wide glass top. Although it is a thoroughly modern piece, it has a bit of an Art Deco feel to it.

Using my Extreme Wood Bending technique I try to push the envelope on how far I can bend hardwoods. This piece is full of the most extreme bends that can be made from solid hardwood. The uprights are 2" x 6" Ash planks bent to a 30" radius, in the direction I call "the hard way", on edge. This is a 5:1 ratio of radius to wood thickness. The base consists of 4 planks of 2" thick Ash. The inside plank is bent to a 6" radius, a 3:1 ratio of radius to wood thickness. I have used some bent Walnut beading to enhance the joint area in the steps of the base.

On top of the table are two of my art pieces. The blue/green one on the left was made to demonstrate the bending technique to visiting architects from Frank Gehry Partners and led to producing a large trellis piece for a Napa Winery. It is solid Red Oak, 5/4 x 6".

The art piece on the right is 15" OD, 11 1/2" ID, a 1 3/4" plank of White Oak bent to a radius of 5.5", about a 3:1 ratio of radius to plank thickness. It has one 10" scarf joint. It was made for a large drum manufacturer as a snare drum shell demonstration piece - extra thick to demonstrate the bending potential of a single, thick plank of hardwood.

All wood is compressed lengthwise by 20% before bending to allow the wood to stretch back out as it bends. In this way, no steam or backing strap is needed, and the wood is cold bent by hand, assisted by clamps and cable pullers. It also allows for much more extreme bending than with steam, since it is nearly impossible to achieve a 20% compression when steam bending. The wood is flexible after compression, then holds its shape after drying. The wood is compressed and bent at about 25% moisture content, then dried on its bending form to 7% MC to fix the shape. Normal finishing techniques were employed.