I decided that kerfing
or laminating would not produce the best looking taffrail. I came
up with a method of steam bending
that would allow me to get a sufficient bend without having to build a
steam box and all the other paraphernalia.
Here the piece is
drying to the form which was made a little higher than needed with some
2x4s.
The blocks were screwed from underneath
(one reason I put the taffrail on before I did the seats). The piece
was routed and formed in place after it was permanently attached.
The rail was made from a piece of 3/4"
x 2" (finished) mahogany to match the side rails. Without applying
the wet heat it surely would have snapped since there was quite a bit of
grain run out on this piece.
