Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

hello guys and girls,

I'm constantly thinking about the design of my "BBQ-vending-trailer" and wich way to go.

the design i momentarely have in mind is a OSB shell with curves on the front and back. Does anyone here have experience with bending OSB?
I'm thinking about sawing several kerfs in the inside of the bend and glueing it with a "filling" woodglue.

thanks!

I wouldn't suggest bending osb I used to build houses and since osb really doesn't have a grain and is made up of small pieces just a little moisture and it will come apart on you your best bet would use ply since it is sheets glued together in layers it will bend a lot easier with the above mentioned method I have done it with 1 1/4 plywood to build a set of self supporting stairs stringers in a 12000 ft house I built it wasn't easy but doable just my thoughts good luck

Thanks backstrap bandid, i was afraid someone would say that... ;-)

It's just that i like the price and look of osb...

What I did is go to a plywood specialty shop in my area. They carry thin bending plywood. The plywood comes in sheets 5' square, 4mm thick and has the grain of all the plys running in the same direction. It bends VERY easily in one direction! I think I payed around $18 per sheet. For some areas of my build I needed the plywood a little thicker and stronger so I applied the first sheet onto my curved surface and than laminated a second sheet on top. (glued and screwed). Once the glue set up I removed the screws and filled in with filler.

Skip OSB, at least on the bent parts. When you add up the total cost and the time to build your trailer, it makes sense to spend a little more to use the best materials.

Ditto on the bendy ply. We use it a lot for curved counter support walls, etc. It's also available in 4'x8's with grain running either direction. We usually use 3/8" thick. To build a stiff wall bend one sheet over one side of a curved frame. Another sheet on the other side and because of the curve it will be stronger than a stud wall. Without a good frame behind it, it flexes too much for many purposes. It would work well on a sparred roof that is to be covered with aluminum. In that application it would not need a second sheet on the interior; just whatever you interior finish material would be fine as long as it will flex enough.

There's also an MDF product called 'Kerfcore' available. It is MDF with saw kerfs cut halfway through it. Smoother than bendy ply but not suitable if there is any possible moisture exposure.

Both bendy ply and kerfcore are available from cabinetmaker's lumber suppliers such as Paxton.

Best,
Tom