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I know there is a lot of experience out there, so hopefully ya'll have some insight on snakewood bindings. I am about to start resawing my snakewood pieces down for binding strips and wanted to see if anyone had some nuggets of wisdom for cutting and bending them. Now for the ugly part...the questions!
Quartersaw them, flat sawn them?
How thick/thin should I anticipate cutting them down? Should I soak them?
What % breakage should I anticipate?

TIA!

-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

I have not have much problem bending snakewood in fact the only trouble I've had was when I was so worried (ist time) about it that I overcooked them. I would say don't make them too thick .080" at the most and just spritz and bend a little slow, heat to around 300 but don't keep it there too long.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

This is probably a good question for the zootman. I have used snakewood ( from the Zoot of course) on several occaisions for binding, bridge and fretboard. It is a bit more brittle than typical (IMHO)binding but bent just fine for me using my fox type bender...bulbs only...no blanket.



p.s. of course using foil and spritzed with water...Dave-SKG38765.6156365741

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I bent two sets recently, I did the same as I always do, spritz with water and wrap in foil. When I hear the water sizzle, bend away. No breakage or burnage

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

j good advice from my friends above. They are not really that difficult to bend. You can qs or flat it doesn't seem to make much differance. I usually for with the best figure on the face.

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I have had some difficulty bending the stuff. I have found that it is better to thin the binding a bit more then usually and take it really slow. I bend by hand and it is a little more difficult than machine. Lance's suggestions sounds good and I think I might give that a try in the future.

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I don't find them any more difficult to work with than ebony. I recently bent a VERY thick set that I used on a telecaster body. I bent it by hand and went slow. No problems at all, even on ther really tight curves on the cutaway and up by the neck.

You will be fine.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Thanks everybody. Thats encouraging news. I'll post some photos in the coming weeks and update my blog with the results.
-j.

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