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Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster here.
I'm in the process of building a bender jig and had a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer. The big thing I'm wondering about is regarding the molds. Dimensionally, should they be identical to the guitar your aiming to build; or, should I design the mold to account for spring back, i.e, make the waist a bit deeper and taper the sides in a bit?

I look forward to being active on the board.

Regards,

Welcome Mr. Chiasson,

Nice looking bending jig you have put together.
I have a similar unit, and found after a few bends that (as you surmised) by increasing the depth of the waist by about 1/4" and tapering the heel and butt by about 3/8" or so the sides sprung back almost exactly to my mold shape. I know some woods hold their shape better than others - I have had good success with EIR, Bubinga, and black walnut - they sprung back about the same...

Rob

Rob has good advise, I've found with the limited number of sets I've bent that all woods I've used have had some level of spring back, granted some have had more than other (mahogany for one).

So I'd acount for 1/4" all around to be safe. I've gone as far as 3/8" at the waist on one of my molds and it was too much, I'd say 1/8" at the waist and 1/4" at the head and tail.

And welcome to the OLF.

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I bend by hand - no springback...

Thanks! I really appreciate the advice.
I'll post back after I've had a chance to finish the bender.