From a ukulele build on the web - a good idea?

[Dave Bagwill]

Is this a viable method for .075" sides?
I clipped this from his website:

"Here is the bending jig with cauls to hold the mahogany in place while it dries. The mahogany was soaked for an hour or so and then heated in an oven to 250 F with water soaked towels around it and aluminum foil around the towels. This softened up the wood enough to make it easily conform to the jig. You can also bend the wood without heating it but there is less chance of getting a crack if the wood is further softened by heating."

[ken cierp]

Seems it would be just like boiling, I've had good results with a boiling water tray. The caveat is that the side has to be fully supported inside and out --- and tightly clamped until completely dry. It takes several days, of course if you use a heated form things can be speeded up.

[John Link]

Looks really effective to me. I've got some BRZ uke sets I want to use someday, without making a big fuss over constructing new tools. This looks like part of the answer.