I was trying to bend a warped board (particle type) and of course it split in half. Any ideas?

Question

I was trying to bend a warped board (particle type) and of course it split in half. This is the board that goes under the pad in a bassinet. It is $15 to replace, but I'd like to somehow fix this one. Any ideas?It has many pieces of hardware connected that I don't think I could get off and add to another board. It broke unevenly. I can post a picture, but not sure if that is possible or how to go about that.

The board is 29" long 14" wide, it appears to be 2/16ths thick. It is the type of wood that is smooth on one side and honeycombed on the other.

The split was completely through, it lifted up wood in different directions, so it isn't easy to exactly match it up. I tried taping it, but obviousely it isn't strong enough to hold stable. There are snaps attached by rivots all the way around and a few other plastic hardware pieces that are needed for the bassinet to work it's best.

Answer 1

I guess one question I have to ask is why did that 1/8th particle board need to be bent? My second question would be, have you attempted retuning the item? OR contacting the manufacturer?

   No offense but 1/8 anything seems hardly adequate to support a baby.

   At this point though,,,one more question. Is the particle board piece a lift out? OR is it attached by the hardware, to the body of the bassinet.

   The task of drilling the rivets, replacing any hardware, attempting to refit, will be tedious at least. A quick fix might be a piece of Masonite, cut to size and laid over the break, in the bassinet.

   One more question. What is the substance and construction of the bassinet body? Is the broken piece visible or accessible from beneath it?

   I suppose you could remove it, use two pieces of Masonite, one glued well and pressed heavily to the bottom side, then lay in another piece, cut to fit on the top.

   I'd probably attempt returning the item first, and certainly question the 1/8th inch material as well as any possible defect. I won't assume it was completely your fault, but without knowing the put together steps, it's difficult to judge what went wrong.

Steven Wolf

Just my two "sense"

Added thought: You state warped. Is the item new? Did you purchase/aquire it with that warped piece?

Answer 2

To effectively bend particle board, you will need to be able to apply heat and moisture (steam) to soften the board before you make the bend and then bend it over a mandrill and hold it in place for 24 hours. For all the effort to fix it yourself, I don't see why you wouldn't shell out the 15 bucks for the replacement piece.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, when you break particle board it is not easy to fix. your best bet if you can go out and get another piece for the $15 dollars. I suggest that you go and do that cause you will make your self crazy trying to fix the one you have and in the long run, it could break again and you don't want to do that with your baby. For future reference you can not bend (particle board).  let me know how you make out.

Answer 4

From what you describe, $15 is cheap to replace.  The fittings and snaps are factory installed and almost impossible to do without the right machine.