Scrolling Bent Ply

[Merlin]

As the title say's. I was given a couple of old cabinets one oak one Rimu.
The Rimu is NZ timber and straight no problem.
The Oak one has two curved doors and two curved draws.

So is there a trick to scrolling curved or do I fire wood them.
I think they wood look nice as a wall hanging with a large scene on them or cut smaller.

Suggestions please.

***Merlin***

[EIEIO]

Would it work to cut them from the back (concave up)? Balancing act, but seems they could be turned that way. Spiral blades might also help. Or use a hand fretsaw rather than the machine.

[Merlin]

Ghezzz Ray hand fret saw with my arthritis. 
Wondering if it wood be easier from the back "convex" that way no balancing act.

***Merlin***

[GrayBeard]

Try scrolling the concave side down?

~~~GB~~~

[BilltheDiver]

HOw thick and how concave are they?  Any chance you could joint them and get a flat back at least?

[spirithorse]

I think BilltheDriver hit upon what I would consider the post important aspect.
How bent are the pieces?
I recently had some warped pieces that I didn't want to waste so, I just cut
them into smaller pieces to minimize the extent of the 'bend'.
God Bless! Spirithorse

[Merlin]

Hope this works
Not too curved really the attached draw front could be made into smaller pieces.

***Merlin***

[julief]

Shoot, give it a try.  What have you got to loose?  Your cuts will be angular but, what the heck.  It could make for an interesting piece.

[Russ C]

If you were to cut curved pieces and attach them underneath I think it would lay flat enough to scroll. I did it for a sign I made for a customer once but I think the curve was shallower.  

See picture

[EIEIO]

If convex up then I think you'd need to use spiral blades so you don't have to turn the piece as you cut. Turning would make it rise up on the edges and not be stable.

[dunk]

I'd cut them down and use for smaller projects.  When cutting them down to size I'd have them convex up so they don't rock.

[Merlin]

Ok guys n gals will give it ago both ways, soon two many projects and fire wood to move into stogae before kiwi winter hits.


***Merlin***

[ChuckD]

I knew a guy a few years ago who cut oak barrel slates.  Did a beautiful job.  He cut with the curve part down.  I think, remember, a few years ago, he cut them with the curved part down with a wood wedge under them to help hold them so they could be cut.  I tried to find more info but I couldn't.  Any way maybe that will help.  Good Luck