48" diam. round mirror frame...techniques ?

[XXXKenXXX]

I am attempting a 48" round maple mirror frame.  Basically a big embroidery hoop. I want it to be approx. 1/4" thick if you are looking at it facing the mirror, and the depth from the wall will be around 2-2 1/2" (like a big Captain's mirror) My question is whether to use a 1/4 thick piece of wood and steam it, or thin laminates stacked to about 1/4" and cold bend.  Ideas? Clamping techniques?  Glue type?

This is my first post. Please feel free to move it if this is not the appropriate board.

 

[mwildt]

[welcome]

I'd laminate some boards then used a router and a circle jig. If you wanted it to be fancy you could miter the boards as to give it an interesting look. Multiple glue lines or as few as possible. Thin strips then steam is also possible all depends on the look you want. If you route it then you can cut a grove for the mirror and a back plate.

Similar idea:http://woodworkerszone.com/wiki/index.php?title=A_Wooden_Steering_Wheel

Another approach:http://lumberjocks.com/projects/87951

 

[mike_aa]

[member=42286]XXXKenXXX[/member]

Welcome to the FOG!

I once laminated three 1/8" oak strips that were about three inches wide into a curved piece that had a five foot diameter.  IIRC, they could have been bent slightly tighter.  If you could make your strips even thinner they would likely bend into a four foot diameter.

I hope this helps.  Good luck!

Mike A.

 

[HarveyWildes]

If you laminate, cut a circular jig to wrap the lamination around.  There are a variety of techniques for clamping the laminations tight to the jig to get your circle, and I'm sure that some would involve an MFT .  I use a MicroFence circle jig to cut circles with a router, especially that size, but there have been some good techniques involving Festool routers described in FOG postings. Make sure you overlap the ends of your laminations sufficiently.

 

[ear3]

Those jigs are incredible!  Thanks for sharing these.

[welcome]

I'd laminate some boards then used a router and a circle jig. If you wanted it to be fancy you could miter the boards as to give it an interesting look. Multiple glue lines or as few as possible. Thin strips then steam is also possible all depends on the look you want. If you route it then you can cut a grove for the mirror and a back plate.

Similar idea:http://woodworkerszone.com/wiki/index.php?title=A_Wooden_Steering_Wheel

Another approach:http://lumberjocks.com/projects/87951