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How to Bend Particle Board

Louis Gutierrez

Particle board is a wood alternative that is made from wood shavings and sawdust and bonded together with a resin. Particle board is mostly used in furniture because of its lower price and lower weight compared to solid wood. You can bend particle board by a method called kerfing, which involves making a series of cuts on the particle board to allow you to bend it.

It may surprise you that particle board can be painted.
  1. Measure and mark where you want to bend the particle board. Mark the bend with the tape measure and pen.

  2. Adjust the height of the table saw blade. The depth of the cut will vary by the thickness and consistency of the particle board. If you cut too deep, it will break the board; if you do not cut deep enough, you will not be able to bend it. You will have to test various depths by cutting and seeing if you get a slight bend on the board. Lock it in place when you find the correct depth.

  3. Make cuts on the particle board where you want the bend. Cut a series cuts close to each other, but leave a piece of board in between each other around 1/8 inch in size. The number of cuts will vary depending on how extreme the bend is; the more cuts, the bigger the angle you create. Try at least six cuts. Then bend the board and see if you are happy with the angle.

  4. Bend the particle board gently into place. Fill the cuts with wood glue.