Official Luthiers Forum!

Does anyone have an Ibex bending iron, 120V American version in good working condition that they'd consider selling? Thanks!

Terry, I think both Stew Mac and LMI carry the Ibex bending iron.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

There is a 220v model on ebay right now (new), and there was a 110v model on there last week... probably the same seller...

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Reguards,

Ken H

Hi Terry,
Pilgrims Projects has a 120 volt Ibex Bending Iron for $125.00
http://www.pilgrimsprojects.biz/index.html

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Thanks, I saw those last night.

I'm tired of my pipe bender & torch. I'd like a new electric one, but I'd be happy to buy one used if I could save a few dollars.

If you want to go a cheaper route, I actually made one out of 2" galvanized pipe and a 120v Mobile Home DRY water heater element. The element was $13 at Ace Hardware and the end cap and pipe flange cost me less than $10. I use the same rehostat to control the temp that I use for my bending blanket. You could also use a router speed controller to control the temp.

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Reguards,

Ken H

I have one, PM me
Andy

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Hi Todd,

Thanks. I already have a fox bender. I need an iron for touchups, etc. I may be visiting my cousin, and would like to get together then. No Idea when. Let me know if you go to Martin for the tour.

Hey Ken, that's a cool setup. Does the thingee heat the pipe evenly, or do you have hotter and colder spots?

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

There is about a 6" wide hot spot in the pipe, in the middle of the pipe. It is wide enough to bend anything I have tried to bend so far and the whole thing cost me less than $20. If you try to run it at full heat, it will blow a 15a breaker. Wide open is WAY too hot anyway. About 1/2 throttle is about perfect for bending most woods.

If you buy the element, just make sure it is a 110v model and also that it is for a DRY well. Regular submerged elements wont work as they require water.

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Reguards,

Ken H

Ken, do you have a dimmer on that If so, what type?

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

J, I think he said he uses a router speed controller. Same thing used for heating blankets.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

My bad, I should have read his post more carefully.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

if you're making one used with a torch, I heard it recommended that you use a thick walled pipe to avoid hot spots. I suppose that ought to be true of an electric bender too though...

My biggest issue with wanting the ibex, is that it has oblong surfaces. I wound up case hardening (i think) some EIR binding on my smallish thick walled, torch fired pipe. I think I'll enjoy the handwork if I have a descent tool to do it with.

BTW, I have & use a Fox bender for most things (including bindings)