How do I Bend a Wood Column?

Measure the size of the wood column. Have one person hold the tape measure at one end of the wood, and walk to the opposite end of the wood lengthwise to get an accurate measurement. Fill a trough that is a few inches longer than the wood column with warm water.

Soak the wood column first in order to make it pliable. Submerge the wood column into the water, making sure that the wood beam is fully covered by water. Put weighted cement blocks on top of the wood in the middle and ends to keep the wood submerged. Make sure the cement blocks are not too heavy, so that they do not damage the wood. Let the wood soak overnight.

While soaking, prepare a work table. Use a wood work table long enough to fit the wooden beam. Make sure the table is perfectly flat and sturdy, not a folding table. Drill 1-inch holes into the table at intersecting points, where the wood beam will be bent.

Drill a hole at one end of the work table, in the center of the work table, and one more at the end. Make sure the holes are far enough apart to bend the wood in sections. Draw a line with a marker into the table for the wood bending points, and then drill the holes.

Insert iron bending plugs into the holes on the table. Make sure the plugs are the same size. The size of the plugs should be 4 inches, by ½ inch in thickness.

Remove the wood after it has soaked, and use while still wet. Measure the beam and mark on the beam where you want the bend. Place the still-wet wooden column between the end plug and the middle plug, making sure that the column center is next to the center plug on the table.

Slowly push the beam against the center plug by pulling the end of the column located at the end part of the table. Have a helper help you bend the wood, if necessary. The wood pegs should keep the wood in place as you bend. Once the wood is bent, insert a plug where the bend of the wood is to hold the wood in place as it dries. Allow the wood to dry for a week, then remove plugs and use column.