Discovery Guide: Learning to use Cold-Bend™ Hardwood
Bending Capabilities and Applications
In what dimensions can the wood bend?
Cold-Bend™ hardwood can bend in all three dimensions: x, y, and z axes. This means you can achieve face bends, edge bends, and twists, offering unprecedented flexibility for creating complex curved shapes that would be impossible with traditional woodworking methods.
Will I successfully bend a piece on my first attempt?
Success on the first try is extremely likely. If you don't achieve a successful bend on your initial attempt, you might be the first person to experience this difficulty. The material is engineered to be remarkably user-friendly for bending applications.
Will the wood break if I bend it too far?
Yes, the wood will break if pushed beyond its engineered limits. Cold-Bend™ hardwood is designed to bend to a radius of approximately 4 to 6 times the thickness of the plank, which represents an extraordinary bending capability. Beyond this point, failure will occur. However, if you haven't broken a test piece, you don't truly know the material's limits, so experimenting with some breakage is actually recommended to understand the boundaries.
Purchasing and Availability
Where can I purchase Cold-Bend™ hardwood?
Cold-Bend™ hardwood is available only through direct purchase from Pure Timber LLC. There may also be a supplier in Serbia, though this availability should be confirmed directly with Pure Timber LLC for current distribution arrangements.
What does Cold-Bend™ hardwood cost?
The pricing reflects the extensive engineering and processing the wood undergoes. Due to the intensive manufacturing process, only about 40% of the original lumber volume can be sold as finished product, which impacts the final cost. The price point is comparable to premium woods like Koa, with the significant advantage that unlike Koa, Cold-Bend™ hardwood can achieve extreme bends without breaking.
History and Development
How was compressed wood technology developed?
The technology originated at the Danish Technical Institute, where the fundamental research and development took place. A company in Copenhagen subsequently built manufacturing equipment and licensed the technology. Pure Timber LLC acquired this machine in 2004, bringing the technology to North America and making it available to woodworkers, artists, and manufacturers.
Users and Applications
Who typically uses Cold-Bend™ hardwood?
The material attracts a diverse range of creative professionals and craftspeople, including artists, engineers, architects, wood turners, luthiers, sculptors, jewelers, and students. The unique properties of Cold-Bend™ hardwood make it valuable for anyone working on projects requiring extreme curves or complex three-dimensional shapes that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional wood.
Can I impress my woodworking club members?
Oh yeah! Cold-Bend™ hardwood will definitely make your fellow woodworkers envious, at least until you let them know they can purchase it too. The material's capabilities tend to generate significant interest and amazement among woodworkers who see it demonstrated.
Storage and Maintenance
How should I store Cold-Bend™ hardwood to maintain its flexibility?
Cold-Bend™ hardwood retains its flexibility indefinitely as long as it doesn't dry out. The key to proper storage is preventing moisture loss. Keep the wood in a plastic bag, which will be provided with your purchase. This simple storage method ensures the material remains ready for bending whenever you need it.
Advanced Bending Techniques
Can I create complex multi-directional bends?
Yes, creating bends in the X, Y, and Z directions simultaneously is not only possible but represents one of the most exciting applications of Cold-Bend™ hardwood. This capability opens up entirely new possibilities for sculptural work, furniture design, and architectural elements that would be impossible to achieve with traditional woodworking methods.
