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I'm at the point of needing to decided on a bending form. I'm leaning towards a Doolin style, but have the bits and pieces for a Fox style as well. Would those of you who use either one mind chiming in on what you see as the pros and cons of the style you use?

The bench bolts arrived yesterday, so that should be done this weekend. I just need to bolt the legs together and glue the top up. Sweetie gave the green light to get the repair vise from Stew Mac, even after I fessed up to what I bought at the Swap Meet. So.... really the bending form is the last thing I need to put together before I can start this adventure. Now if the weather would just warm up. Its sad when Siberia is warmer than Seattle in June.

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Aoibeann

Lillian...I built my bender mainly because I was/am/will be cheap and I needed the practice 5 years ago. I built it with light bulbs the old fashioned way and later added one heating blanket from John Hall. It has served me well since that time. If I had to do it over, I would make a more compact model and use 2 heating blankets.

Whichever design you choose will work well once you develop your personal method. Good luck and post pics.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Lillian, I'm a kind of 'use the simplest technology that will work' kind of guy. I've never wanted to go to the palaver of the Fox bender. I make a form for each of my body shapes, each one takes about an hour to make. I've bent 60 or so sides this way, without any problems. I suppose you could replace the eye bolts on the upper and lower bout with springs, but I've never felt the need to do so. I use a single blanket and spring steel slats.







Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thank you gentlemen. Much appreciated.

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Aoibeann

I like my Fox too but if I could have bought a Doolin style back when I purchased my Fox I would have preferred the smaller size of the Doolin bender.

I agree that simpler is better but again the Fox works great - it's just huge.

And another vote for using a blanket - crack one side set and your could have paid for the blanket.

Todd, I've got your tutorials bookmarked. I'm going to go back and reread them.

Colin, I do like the simplicity of your design.

Thanks Hesh, size isn't something that I had considered. Good point.

I have the blanket, router controller and timer all rigged up. I have two slats from John Hall. I have all the bits and pieces. I just need to stop waffling and make a commitment.

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Aoibeann

I agree with Todd regarding the solid forms.

We've had a heap less cupping in our sides since switching to them.

Bob

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Bob Connor
Geelong, Australia

I like the idea of the Doolin style but it is cumbersome and a pain to do well. I built one and quickly went back to the Fox style.

One modification to the Fox bender I've always liked is using a spring tensioned bottom sheet of spring steel instead of the bar that pulls up at the waist. Just fix one end of the steel to the base and attach the other with springs. It seems to give broader and more even support under the waist.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Thanks for the input gentlemen. All good points.

Kent, I went to your website in hopes of seeing your bending form. First off, your site is great. Who designed it for you?? Second, if you get a chance, would you snap a picture of your set up for me please? I'm definitely more of a visual kind of person.


So a solid form it is. That much I can get started on, just as soon as I finish the bench.

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Aoibeann

Well, I'm building the Fox. I'd be interested in usefull mods. What about that aluminum waist thing? I already bought the aluminum. Would wood be better?

Mike

Doolin-style here, with a few minor modifications. I don't know that it's any more complicated to make or use than my previous (Colin-style, but solid thorughout) bender, though....

the slotted waist cawl is not the best. Make a dedicated call to fit your pattern. you will get a better result in the end
john hall
blues creek guitars

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Thanks John, I'll keep that in mind.

Mattia, right now I'm planning on doing just what you describe. Thanks.

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated.
After payday I'll pick up some 3/4 birch ply for Lowes and get started on it.

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Aoibeann

Charles Fox presented his new bender design at the GAL conference. The big change is the waist caul tower is cantilevered so one side is open. This allows the sandwich to be side loaded which would be very convenient. He is also using a preheating platform that holds the sandwich in close contact to ensure even heat transfer. Charles indicated that he may offer plans for the new design in the near future. If I didn't already have a bender, I would probably wait for this new design.

Thanks. A friend of mine put together the flash banner as a template and I did the rest. I wish someone had told me that web sites are always a work in progress.

Here's a pic of the bender. The slat is screwed to the base on the opposite end and the springs pull the slat up to support the waist.

Please show us what you come up with.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Thanks for the picture Kent. I promise as soon as I get mine together I'll post pictures of it. This weekend is for undoing what I did to the bench while under the influence of a broken filling and the necessary painkillers.

Your website is great. It all works and works well. Well done. I'm impressed, well, that is unless you tell me you design sites on the side. In which case I know a few people who might want to talk to you.

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Aoibeann