I'm building a new spec house with arched windows. I worry myself about the weirdest things but typcial me, I see the end result sometimes before I think about what it will take to get there. Anyhoo, I needed to put a radius trim piece above the window and called the local lumber yard to find out how much I would be out of pocket for 4 arched pre-bent pieces about 8 feet long (made from a plastic based trim material). $120/piece sez he. After my butt puckered a bit, I decided to take the task on myself.
Soooo, I went to the local lumberyard and bought 4 pieces of 5/4 red cedar,
3 sheets of 3/4" plywood and some plastic resin glue.Now, just to warn you, I have seen this done on tv once. David marks did a bent lamination. Can't even recall what it was, just the method stuck in my head.
I made my radius pieces (forms if you will) from the 3/4" plywood. Then I cut what seemed like a million 1/4" inch strips of cedar. Glued it all together with plastic resin glue, clamped it together in the form with all of my clamps, woke up in the morning and wa-la! Perfectly radiussed bent lamination cedar. Cleaned them up with the belt sander, painted 'em, and nailed them in place. Very cool. I recommend it to any one.
Now I am practiced up and waiting to do the inside trim with cvg fir. SH