Thanks, guys.
Thanks! I hadn't thought of using an aluminum strip! It looks like the wood doesn't mind compressing, but it won't stretch for beans. I'll try it with the aluminum backing next time I do it. I figure I could probably get some tighter bends of it that way as well! As it is I think the armrests I'm making here won't make very good arm rests...too shallow a curve. But, its pretty close to the original chair I've seen that was made back in the 1800s.....We'll see when I get it all put together.
I dunno about the clothing steamer; you've gotta get it up to 212 or so to get it to work right. I don't know if a clothing steamer would put out enough. It'd be interesting to try...thats for sure!