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Here's some photos I took of how I modified the bending form before i decided to video the rest of the opperation.

First I mark my extra 1/4" of waist curve and tail and neck curve using some kerfing as a guide.

Once I have the marked section of the form cut and sanded to the lines I use it for my routing template and stack the 4 other sections of the form together and route the edges using my routertable with a Whiteside 2" spiral upcut carbide pattern bit.

Ten I take 2 of the routed sections and assemble the filler sections between them and route again. You will also notice there are sections missing in the filler sections at the waist area. That's because I used that part of the form to make my waist spreader clamps.

Then I added the other filler sections and fliped the form over and finished up the routing using the previous routed sections as the template.
This is the same way I made the original form and my building molds also. Just like the caul I trace the lines off of a template and cut close to the lines and use the template to route the first 2 pieces and then stack and route until the mold or form is complete.

Chris,

Thanks again for the videos. I used that method of pattern routing to make the caul for my bender, but I had a couple of times where the router grabbed and tossed the work. If I remember corectly this happened when I was doing a smaller edge (or going around the edge). Your caul is bigger than mine so that may have something to do with it. Of course I'm sure my technique is just way off.

John

Yeah you definately have to go in the right direction and watch for some tear out at the corner. And another reason to cut close to the line so you don't have to route too much. And you have to watch those courners when approaching the bit. If you watch closley in the video the second routing I just hit the corner and you can see it bite. I think the spiral bits aren't as bad as straight cuts either. That's why I always get a bit nerves at the start as once you have a piece thrown it's an enlightening experience. You have to always be alert with the router table.

I apologize for being clueless, but I'm trying to figure out why you made the modifications.

Are you over-compensating the bends so that when the wood relaxes it conforms to the desired shape?

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube

Yes exactly. And here's the results as I bent the sides last night and just butted the ends. Man is that Claro Walnut a great bending wood.

Looks great, Chris! Have you ever thought about doing a cutaway?

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube

I don't recall ever seeing one on a sloped shoulder dred? I really don't see many playing that far up the neck on a Dred.

Guys, try a starting pin to begin those pattern cutting bit routs.

_________________
Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

I was just asking in a general sense. If you are just doing dred's I guess that would be a no

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube

Mike,

Can you fill me on on what you mean here. If there is a safer way to do this, I'm all for it.

John

It's a pin that goes into the table near the bit that the work is held against and then then the work is eased into the bit.

What Chris said!

_________________
Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Hey Chris just found my way onto this forum and wanted to say thanks again.

All the best.

_________________
Todd Lunneborg
http://www.tlguitars.com/
http://www.fretboardjournal.com/

Hey Todd . No, thank you!
I've also taken on your fancying up on this build too. I think it has already stepped up my building a notch .

Hi Chris!,

I just wanted to say that when I watch or
read your tutorials it brings a tear to my eye
(just one eye, two eye's would be crying).

Thank you again for all your help!

Cool!! Great Blocks. You should see the guitars I'm taking to Healdsburg, waaaaaay Fancy!!!

_________________
Todd Lunneborg
http://www.tlguitars.com/
http://www.fretboardjournal.com/