Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi guys I have been working with a friend who is teaching me how to
build. He has a fox side bender. I just bent my first side on the L-0 model
this thing has sharp hips and the bender didnt quite make the curve and
when we took it out and put it in my mold it wasnt perfect. I know its not
gonna be pefect but will the inside blocks hold the shape. I just picture
when I take it out it just distorts out of shape. do mounting the top and
back holt the shape.

ps.I just want you to know you guys are going to get questions everyday
about this first build. thank you for the answers and advise on my other
posts.

hesh where did you buys that side bender? or did you make it

Hi Jason and welcome here.

I'm pretty sure Hesh got his bender, slats and blanket from John Hall at Blues Creek Guitar (see link in sponsor's list at the top of the page)

You really want the side to be formed as close to the actual shape that you can get it. An L-0 is a tight waist but not as tight as some of the venetian cutaways that some of the guys bend on their benders.

What thickness is the side? Sometimes a too thick side will bend alright, but spring back alot.

As Hesh mentioned, questions are good, that's why this place exists, to help everyone build stringed instruments.

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Jason-
I agree 100% with what Hesh has told you- you want the sides to fit quite well to the mold with fairly gentle pressure.
You might want to double-check your bending form and the waist caul to make sure that they do follow the template for your L-O exactly. Sometimes some 'padding' of the bending forms can help to get the bend correct.
As Hesh suggested, if it is a 'springback' problem another session on the bender (without burning your wood) can often help. Sometimes taking the hot side from the bender and immediately clamping it (with clamping cauls/pads) into the mold will do the trick as well.
If you have a bending iron, a quick touch-up there with a wet rag or spritz of water will fix problems as well.
Getting a nice smooth shape to your sides will pay off later- you can't sand out mistakes when you only have a few mm of wood!

Good luck!
BTW, you've come to the right place for your questions- lots of experts (not me!) here to help.

Cheers
John

   Most problems on bending springback or shape is that the pattern is wrong or you didn't get enough heat. Too much water and not letting it set in the pattern also cause trouble.
     Hesh has a good tutorial and I have one at my site.
good luck and have fun
john