MTFCA Forum

Ok so I will soon be installing some wood into the steel parts of my top bows and was wondering if you guys had any tips n tricks on installing the curved wood pieces. I am guessing that I need to spread the metal apart and so forth but I don't want to damage anything. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and or photos.

My techniques may not be original or fit all top bows. When I did the 1924 I bought the four pieces that run between the side bows. I did this as I had estimated the lengths of each was different. When I received the wood I was correct, each had a specific position and length. So now I had to make the curved bits.
First I heated the metal tabs before bending them straight. As far as I could ascertain the curved wood is there as a tack strip, not adding much strength to the completed bow. As I am unable to bend wood, I made the ninety degree bend from two pieces of 2x4 pine, shaping them to fit the metal bow. When I was happy with all eight, I bent to tabs to hold the bend in position.
After a number of years, the top has held up well.

Older post on ways of doing the curved wood pieces in the later Irons: Scroll to Dec 1.


http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1291318078

Thanks guys. This should be interesting.

Keep us updated on your progress! This is for the '18 ya?
It's good for these subjects to be brought up. OR: I'll be watching closely...

This method worked for me

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/822076/908662.html

It still required steaming the wood, but I found that it was VERY difficult to just steam the wood and install, even when using two thin strips.

Ron dupree

You could use a pvc board used for tying in door moldings and garage doors. The stuff that has “wood grain” on it. Cut to size and use a heat gun to bend. When warm it moves and has the consistency of a marshmallow. When it cools down and hardens back up its just as strong as wood, waterproof and holds a tack/staple very well.

Brad

I’m working on the top irons for my 27 Roadster that need a complete overhaul. I’m thinking of trying the PVC strips for the bends on irons or 1/4” plywood strips. Lots of good info hear.

I have used the PVC material in several applications for nailing strips. In my opinion it holds staples very well, but is not good at holding nails or screws. You might try your nails in some PVC before using it on the corners, since the bow pads need to be nailed to them.

Ron Dupree

Ron,thanks for that info. Sounds like real wood is the way to go...I was just looking for a easier way than steaming wood.

Kiln drying hardens the lignin in wood and that makes it hard to steam bend. If you can, use air-dried wood with an open grain. Open grain woods are easier to steam bend than closed grain.