I haven’t done this but, there has been some previous discussion. One search term that might get you some useful results (here or on the Internet, in general) is “kerf bending.”
For instance:
@evansd2 did some of this with hardwood:
[IMG_8052]
Maple/wenge 1/8". No veneer was harmed in the making of this box. Entire box is sanded to 600 grit and waxed/oiled with Feed-n-wax. Overall dimensions: 5 x 2-5/8 x 1-1/8" (127 x 67 x 25mm)
I wanted to make a curved box, but I don’t like the look for living hinges, and I don’t want to fool with using veneers to cover them up.
Enter kerf cutting. The general idea is that you remove material from the inside of your curve, and the wood can then be successfully bent. I’ll do this a…
@elka found some flexible birch plywood:
Came a cross a fun new material today, A/AB grade bendy birch ply, laser friendly.
Another possibility would be “steam bending.”
Or use an already bendable material like veneer, like @eflyguy suggests.
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