Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm about to bend for the first time using Supersoft tomorrow. I'm using it on some very light wood that has given me a particularly hard time bending, so we'll see how it goes. I'll report back after completion. Later.
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Oh my, with Super Soft for side bending, the Baby Bottle Warmer for HHG, a Rolling Pin for sanding sides, Clothes Pegs kerfing clamps, Pantyhose paint strainers, a Clothes Iron for flattening veneer that picture of Heshe that Billy posted a few months back up on the wall and my fetish for performing all handtool task in my undies and high-heels, people are starting to look at me a little strange when they see me in my workshop now days .

But it is OK, sniff, I'll just sit down and have a nice hot cup of tea and a good long cry and I'm sure everything will be cheery again when the tears all dry away .

Luv Kimmy

ROFLMAO!!!!!

@)#&$ Kim, you darn near triggered an asthma attack!


Ah Kim, Sweetie wants a picture.Aoibeann39108.9888310185

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Aoibeann

That was great, Kim!!

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Kimmy, could you send me a spare keyboard please, mine is full of coffee!

[quote=Kimmy]that picture of Heshe that Billy posted a few months back up on the wall and my fetish for performing all handtool task in my undies and high-heels,[/quote]

    I second the "pix please"!!!

Never mind Kim Buddy! I'll make them!! Billy T39112.3567939815

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Just joining this forum at the suggestion of Kevin Gallagher. Thanks, Kevin.

I'm curious that nobody has raised any concern about how molecularly altering the stiffness of the wood might not be such a great thing once the sides are finally bent. I do know of some builders who believe that the sides should be as stiff as possible. Is there any noticeable change of stiffness after the sides have been bent? Has anyone tried re-heating and re-bending just to see if the "flexibility when heated" characteristics are long-lasting? How about the relative stiffness after bending when compared to a non-treated side?

Thanks,

Welcome to the OLF, Dave! Any friend of Kevin is a friend of mine! I checked out your website...fantastic body of work!...nice having you here.

I've used SS2 for over a year on 3 guitars. One has been in operation for over a year and shows no sign of unusual performance. I use this on difficult woods and have been very happy with the results. I believe the effect is physical rather than chemical. There is no evidence that I can see that it has changed the chemical nature of the wood. My concerns were whether SS2 affected the wood's ability to be glued and accept finish. So far, it passes.

All I can say is that there is a difference in stiffness from a side that has not been treated and cracked to one that has been treated and not cracked I'll leave the molecular experiments to those who are so inclined to determine such effects.

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

Dave,

Welcome! I haven't used Super Soft II yet, but I've got a bottle waiting for my first bending battle. That being said, SS II seems to be the rare case where "seems too good to be true" turns out to actually work as advertised. It's not supposed to leave behind any residue that would affect finishing, and, once dry, the wood returns to its normal state, but not to its previous shape. Several folks on the forum have tried it, and I haven't seen any comments that dispute those claims; but they have said that bending was easier and problems were fewer with this stuff. SS II was developed for veneer, and if left to air dry it takes longer than, say, just water would. However, its directions say that applying heat will speed up the drying process, and that's exactly what we do when bending, so it's not a problem. Its only drawback, according to its manufacturer, is that it may impart a slight amber tone to some woods.

I guess I am in the minority here. I just used supersoft for the first time on some striped sapele and I can't say I was terribly impressed. I did one side two hours after spraying it and another after sitting all night. Both sides bent fine but they were much springier than other sides I have bent using a conventional soak in the water prior to bending. I will try it again on some other woods I have bent to get a point of reference but I can't say I am wild about it.
Bob B.