Steve Nearman asks:

Can someone tell me of a source for this thin 3 ply material, on

this small walnut child's rocker. Also any suggestions as to what

type of drill bit to use and/or technique to get clean sharp holes.

Steve Nearman
The Master's Touch

Steve,
It's been quite a few years back that I refinished one of these

chairs. It seems that I bought the plywood from Constantine's and

paid high dollar for it. Clear maple on both sides.

I ruined the first piece, and had to make a second one. You'll

need to bend the plywood first, and then drill the holes. If you

drill the pattern first, it let's too much moisture into the

laminations, and you get blisters in the wood.

Also, when you try to bend the arc at the center of the wood,

take note of the row of holes that run in a straight line in the

lumbar area. Rather than a gentle arc, you'll end up with it "folding

on the dotted line." I used new brad point bits and got along fine

with them. The holes were very clean with only a few minor

blow-outs on the back side. Having an extra hand to hold a block

firmly to drill against is of help.

Good luck, Buck
K. Buckminster
Falls City, Ne

Kim Buckminster writes:

Here's what I experienced by steaming and bending the plywood

with the holes pre-drilled. The row of holes colapse, making

football shaped holes. There were too many openings for the

steam to invade, causing lots of checking. The more drastic failure

in the second picture occurred where the steam hose hit more

directly on the plywood.

Kim "Bucky" Buckminster
Falls City, Ne.