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Hi All,

Over the weekend I was playing around with my new Minco bending blanket, integrating that into my Fox style bender. I ran into a few small hitches here and there (nothing major, just annoyances). I was wondering how you guys are bending using blankets? In particular, form construction, order of materials (bottom to top in the sandwich), clamping or caul mechanisms, and order of operations. Thanks in advance!

Pete

Hi Pete,
I also use a fox bender, i start by wrapping the side in foil, after a spritz of water, then I lay one of the stainless slats on the bench, then the wood, then the blanket, then the top slat. I use 4 spring clamps, two at each end, on the sides to hold the sandwich together,. You also what to make sure to push the side to one edge or the other to make sure to get it in the bender straight. After that I fire it up, and bend away..

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I do it exactly like Lance. I usually set my temp controller to full on after
the sandwich is in the bender. And when it starts steaming I start
cranking down the waist. Cranking at a slow enough rate that it takes
about a minute or so to tighten the waist and then I pull down the shoes
and turn the heat to a controlled temp to maintain about 200-300 deg
for a few minutes. I usually let it cool and then re-heat. Be sure you don't
get distracted while your heater is on full throttle, it'll heat up fast.

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I wrap the side in foil after spritzing. I place a metal slat into the bender, then the side, then the blanket and then the top slat. Things slide around a bit but I move them to be properly aligned. I turn on the power full blast until I see a bit of steam and then start bending the waist. I bend the wait almost all the way and then pull down the top and bottom around the mold. I then tighten the waist the rest of the way. My digital meat thermometer is stuck in the sandwitch most of the time and I will turn it down if the temp gets to about 280F. Cook for 10-15 minutes and let cool completely.

I them unclamp the top and bottom and if there is springback, I reclamp and give it another 10 minutes of heat. The spring back can vary from none to about an inch at both ends. I'm happy with either as my outside mold will correct the final shape.

Exactly the same as Lance and John. I do re-heat after the side cools off.

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Thanks for the responses so far. Do you do anything different for bindings with side purflings?

I use the fiber purflings from Gurian and I just glue them in unbent when I glue the binding on. You can bend them with your fingers to fit the waist as you install them.

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I don't use a blanket, I just hold the wood in my hands and stare at it until it heats up and then I fold it over a wooden form.

ClarkC Kent38384.7790162037

When I tried that, it ended up too charred. You must have better control than me.

That's cause you forgot to take off your bifocals.... besides that, it's all in the wrist action.

With the risk of getting boring, yes from the bottom up it's slat/wood/blanket/slat, and yes the spritzed wood is wrapped in cooking foil. I bend with gloved hand when it starts to give and hold down with wingnutted cauls. Let it sit over night. When trimmed to length and sanded, a light spritz, a couple of minutes back in the bender and put it in the mould while still hot. My form is just a side's thickness smaller than my mould

I like Clark's system though, I guess I'd have to leave that to my wife though, she's always telling me she's a Superwoman!

ColinColin S38385.2153009259

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