Official Luthiers Forum!

Does anybody sell or have a good source for spring steel? I want to use it in my side bender, instead of stainless, (which holds the shape.)
Thank you all

John Hall Of Blues Creek Guitars, one of our members and sponsors

HI
Yes I do have Spring steel. THe advantages and disavatages of the 2 slat materials are
Stainless Steel:
   Great stuff for standard bodies. I have found a supplier for a tempered stainless. Not as good as spring steel but better than the shim in a can. This is great as it won't stain the wood , supports the wood well through the bending process and won't rust.

    the disavatage is that over time it will take a memory bend from the cutaway. You can try coiling it and that will help to strain relife the metal some

Spring Steel
    This is a high tempered steel that will remain flat. The metal also supports the wood well through the bending process however the high iron content allows ion transfer. This means that it can stain your wood.
    A barrier like kraft paper is ideal. Kraft paper will not stain the wood and it absorbs the resins that are released. The paper also carries in more water than you can with just a spray on the wood. This allows for better bends and less crack and warping. Aluminium foil is not a good idea. It will react with some woods. I have seen it turn Koa Green and Maple blue.
    Rust also is a problem but the rust comes off with a little steel wool or scotch pad. Keep the slats clean and don't use oil or wax on them.
Slats are $40 a pair they are 6 inches wide and 34 inches long.
Thanks
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars

I have to disagree with John Hall on one item. I have been wrapping my sides
in aluminum foil for a very long time. I have used it to bend just about every
kind of wood I have seen used on this forum and no reactions whatsoever. I
have bent many sets of Koa and heavily figured maple with no staining at all.
John, I think your staining issues were related to something else. I have had
no problems at all. As a matter of fact, I believe that the foil keeps the
moisture in during the bend helping to facilitate those difficult cutaway
bends. It works for me and I don't have any plans to switch to kraft paper or
anything else!

_________________
Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

If John was using aluminum foil and the steel slats together maybe he was getting some galvanic action from the 2 dissimilar metals, just a thought.

thoughts on de-ionized or distilled water , anyone?

    I use distilled water. Sylvan, glad to hear you never had a problem with foil. I did and maybe it could have been another issue. If you have never tried kraft paper , try that . This is great stuff as it takes more water in than you can with just spraying and it allows the wood to dry with very little water staining.
     I get alot longer steam time before the temp spikes when the wood starts to dry.

Terry: I use RO (Reverse Osmosis) water.

_________________
tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Thanks all. John I PM you.

[QUOTE=Tim McKnight] Terry: I use RO (Reverse Osmosis) water.[/QUOTE]

Our supermarket next door sells water from a special dispenser. I've heard of reverse osmosis, but woulnd't know to suggest it, since I don't know what it is. I'll check the dispenser. At the very least it's filtered for drinking

Hi Sylvan
      Just a question. If I ever get down your way. I would love to pop in
john

John -
If you ever get down my way I would be offended if you did not visit. There
is always an open invitation to you!

_________________
Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Thanks
I will have to make a trip to visit.
john

Ditto, ditto!