Acoustic Guitar Construction

I have started making my own BWB puflings which turn out pretty good. Much cheaper now than buying them.
The ones that LMI sold went around the curves easily and pulled into the channels nicely.
The ones from SM don't take the curves as nice, and as I found out when building the Jumbo, they do not come long enough. Thus, I started making them from dyed black maple and Holly.
However, these also don't bend in the tight curves and I've had to apply some heat as I go into the waist areas especially. Sooooo

My question is: has anyone ever bent their purflings in he side bender along with the binding and or sides?
Does it work okay? I just used Titebond III to make my last batch and figure they just might take he heat in the bending

I'll try it but would love to hear about experiences or opinions.

Thanks Guys

Kevin

I do that. I take a pair of binding and tape them purfling to purfling. That way the purflings are actually clamped to the bindings, it allows the glue to soften and for the purflings to slide against the bindings in the bends. When they cool the glue resets.

John
are you talking side purfling already glued to binding? If so
I do that too. I was wondering about top and back purflings by themselves, but probably bent along with binding or sides
Have you done that? You may be talking about this.

Kevin in California wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2026 7:04 pm John
are you talking side purfling already glued to binding? If so
I do that too. I was wondering about top and back purflings by themselves, but probably bent along with binding or sides
Have you done that? You may be talking about this.

You are right, I bend purflings alone on a bending iron.

yes, me too. Always pre-bend on tight curves.
Titebond 3 holds very good while bending.

Even herringbone I heat on the iron. I heat it that far, the outer black lining peels easily off with an utility knife. Then you have a very flexibel herringbone and you can glue the two pieces together to the guitar.

Thanks guys
I might try one purfling in the bending machine along with a side and see what happens.

I did some taped together just the other day. Used some Spectrum glue from John Hall and it worked fine. Sent you a PM Kevin.