Bending Forms

Continuous arm bending forms are made to precise tolerances by my friend John Parkinson. Constructed from Baltic birch plywood and various secondary woods, they are built to last a lifetime. They are made to Curtis Buchanan’s plans for Baluster arm rails and may not fit other chairs designs.  The can be used to bend Bobbin arm rails by inserting a 3/8″ thick piece of rubber or leather between the arm rail and the bending form.  Some assembly required using the four supplied screws.

Continuous Arm Bending Form — $200 each (free shipping in USA)


Fan Back Side Chair Bending Form — $85 each (free shipping in USA)

John can make other forms such as:

  • Fan Back crests
  • Loop Back bows
  • Sack Back arms and crests
  • Bird Cage posts, spindles and crests
  • Comb Back arms and crests
  • Custom Bending Forms

Contact John for more info:  john@johnparkinsonfurniture.com 

Tools & Supplies

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Curtis Buchanan demonstrates bending a Continuous Arm back:


Lee Valley has a great (and free) primer on steam-bending.