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Hi folks,

Does anyone have the latest version of the LMI bender and wouldn’t mind sharing your experience with it?

I have two of their controllers and blankets which I use with homemade fox style benders for uke and guitar. I was considering upgrading to their bender as I like the side load capability. I also like the shoes for the waist and the cauls, or at least the look of them.

- Any feedback on how you like using it?
- What’s the deal with making new molds and shoes for it? I see people posting on social media about their custom ones so it seems possible.

I figure I better buy it, it’s now or never.

Brad


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Nobody owns this thing? Maybe that’s my answer!


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Consider if you were going to make a custom form.
Look at the LMI bender and the contoured router slots you would have to cut in a shop made form. With the same perspective, look at John Hall's Blues Creek bender. That was a huge detractor for the LMI bender. I bought one from John Hall and could not be happier.

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Measure Twice,

Karl Borum

Here is a side bender I came up with. I think I posted it here before. But it allows unencumbered loading/unloading from top or side. The threaded waist press is mounted to a block of wood to center it and the block is attached to the vertical support with 2 brass removable pin door hinges. The ends of your sandwich slip into a slot at the lower bout end and when they are starting to bend and lay in position for the waist press the screw and caul just swing into place, insert the hinge pin and crank down the waist. Swings back out of the way for side removal. The screw had a quick set thread latch on it that helps speed the process too if you can find one like it. Press down on the screw handle and when you need thread pressure, engage the thread lock and turn to finish. Hope that makes sense.

Holes in the form lighten up the contraption and provide for clamping if needed. The holes were cut with a hole saw. 2 or 3 of the form lamination's were left long to stick in a bench vise during use. Works pretty good. I could take some more pics if anyone wants more detail. Pretty much done for the cost of a set of hinges, the screw and some MDF.





Love it when they come out like that!

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Brian R, Wood Mechanic
N8ZED

That looks like an awesome solution, Brian.

Thats brilliant rbuddy!

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Measure Twice,

Karl Borum