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Bent my first set of sides last night (Myrtle) without turning them into either firewood or toothpicks. It must have looked a bit comical though with me dancing around the worktable, twisting wing nuts, checking the thermometer, reattaching eyebolts, more checking, more twisting, more dancing.

I’m using a bending blanket and spring steel slats from John Hall and bent the sides using the following sandwich from bottom to top – steel slat/wood side wrapped in aluminum foil/steel slat/bending blanket. I have to say there was little to no tactile connection to the wood during the process. The spring steel slats are a bit stiff themselves so I really couldn’t judge how flexible the wood was becoming by applying pressure to the ends of the “sandwich” hanging out over the upper and lower bouts. I just waited unit the temp hit 240 degrees and then slowly started to wing nut the waist down tight followed by the lower and upper ends and let the temp peak between 295 and 300. So is this lack of feedback typical using a side bender? How do you guys gauge your rate of bending pressure when bending more difficult woods?

Also, for any of you fellow neophytes attempting a bend for the first time – be aware that the bending blanket temp will continue to ramp up a good 8 to 10 degrees after you cut the power so judge your cut off point accordingly.

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Doug Mills
Chicago, Illinois

It looks like You did it right.

Al

Looks like a pro job...congrats.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Myrtle is a nice and easy wood to bend. You'll love working with it!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Congrats on your first bend Doug, looks professional!

Looking Good!


Mike

Looks great Doug. Is that the ribbon stripe set?

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

How thick is the spring steel .. mine is 10 thou, and in dropping the waist caul via the big screw in the typical fox, I can feel the wood as it gives. Once the waist is pretty much down, the bouts, especially the lower, go very easily.

I think its tougher to feel the wood when you are using the wing nuts as the thread is way finer than a veneer press screw, and you have to do two vs one.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Ya wanna see dancing..try bending on an electric iron. Is also a good way to practise your vocabulary of swear words.

Try bending 10" tall double bass sides on an iron-that's quite a dance!

All i need to start dancing is to receive some wood in the mail!

Cool! Looks super.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Hey Doug, the sides are shaped like a guitar, so you must be doing something right!

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Thanks for the comments.

Bob - the set is from one of the spalted Myrtle sets you put up earlier this spring. I'll post a pick of the back when I get it glued up.

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Doug Mills
Chicago, Illinois

Great job!

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Brad
Avon, OH