Molding Plywood

Molding Plywood, also called Wacky Board, Bending plywood, and Wiggle Wood is a plywood that allows for very tight radius bends. Because of the way that the grain is aligned in the plys, Molding Plywood can be bent to form columns and barrels. It is available in several thicknesses, the most common being 1/8" 1/4" and 3/8" for the larger sizes, it is sold as either 4'-0" x 8'-0" (Column Bend) or 8'-0" x 4'-0" (barrel bend).  This refers to the grain direction.  Barrel bend can be bent with the sheet oriented horizontally, so that the two 4'-0" ends touch. Column bend can be bent with the sheet oriented vertically, so the two 8'0" sides touch. 3/8" bending ply can be bent to about a 14" radius, and 1/4" can be bent to about 12", with care.

If bent in a Vacuum Bag, 1/8" molding plywood can actually be bent across both axis, within reason. this must be done carefully, but it can result in lovely, bowl shaped forms.

The surface of bending plywood is rough, adn is hard to smooth out, as it is intended as a substrate. You will want to think about covering it with veneer, or paper, or something, as the quality of the wood is not great.