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I had a highly successful weekend.

I finally got all the bits together and enough time to build my Fox style side bending machine this weekend. There's nothing particularly unique about it. I made it from the LMI plans (of the old style one with light bulbs) plus input from many photos that I have taken of several peoples versions and from this forum and other websites. I found photos to be most valuable. Here are some pictures of my version which subsequently I hope will help others. The sidebender was actually being used to bend some EIRW bindings for my first guitar when I took these pictures:









I used the 9" press screw from Grizzly. I shortened the "tower" by 2.5" to accomodate its shorter length.




Springs released.


The bindings (4 of them, taped together) came out perfectly.
I clamped them lightly into my OM-ish mold to keep them in shape until I'm ready to bind/purf the guitar tomorrow night.


Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

That looks really nice. Will you have any trouble getting a side out of the bender with the short tower? I used a shorter screw when I made mine as well and it was tough to get the side out without sliding out the mold. I finally made the top removable so I could drop the sandwich straight in and lift the bent side straight out.
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Where did you source the pressure screw & handle (or whatever it is called)?

The springs also.

Mike

That does look great, Dave.

Terry, I like the idea of your removable top. That seems like it might make both loading and unloading the bender a lot easier than with a typical end-loading bender. Do you think it does?

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

You can get 9", 12" and 18" press screws at http://www.mcmaster.com

They also have the springs needed for this at a reasonable price

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John Ressler

It makes loading and removal much easier Todd. Another thing I've been doing recently is to put a spring clamp on each end of the lower slat after bending but while it's still clamped up and tie them together with a wire or piece of that brown binding tape. Then the lower slat does not want to push the side straight and you can lift it right out when you loosen everything. I stick some 1/4" dowels through the slots into the bending caul to guide it better and just pull them out when I take the top off.
Here are some pics.
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

A removable top! Great idea Terry!!
I'm going to modify mine right away. Thanks for the tip

Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"