Cheap Side Bending

[Tom OBrien]

This is a picture of the side bending fixtures I make.

The only thing that's "expensive" is the heating blanket, and the cost of the heating blanket is reduced if you go to McMaster-Carr and purchase them for $93.05, rather than the $160 charged elsewhere. You will need to also purchase a rheostat, a thermometer that can measure up to about 500 degrees and have the ability to connect the two-wire leads from the blanket to a two or three prong plug (because that's the way they come from McMaster-Carr). http://www.mcmaster.com/#heat-blankets/=ksjtmg

The molds are simply scrap plywood or fiberboard boxes made in the shape of half of the guitar body outline. I cut holes at strategic points (at the tail, neck and waist) that accommodate the jaws of an Irwin clamp. The other end of the clamp jaw is placed on a piece of wood that has a simple locking mechanism to secure it to the clamp.

I also bought two 6x36 pieces of spring steel from McMaster-Carr to complete my side-bending sandwich. http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-sprin ... ts/=ksjzb1

The downside is that this method takes some coordination and mindful preparation. It's easy to not get things right.

It is important to attach a piece of wood at the tail end of the mold that acts as a terminating point so you know you will get consistent bends every time and you will get your bends in the right place along a board that is only just so long. Remember to give yourself an inch to an inch and a half extra at each end – factor this into calculating where this terminating point should be.

[ken cierp]

Aluminum works just as good if not better than spring steel (why fight the back-up slat?) and Omega has the heat blankets for even less then McMaster Carr.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=45

Tom your bender looks a lot like the ones used at the Whetstone Guitar Maker's School

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104

I agree, keep it simple!

[Tom OBrien]

Thanks for the lead on sourcing the heating blankets for an even better price.

[Rienk Ayers]

Aluminum works just as good if not better than spring steel (why fight the back-up slat?)

What are the recommendations for thickness of aluminum slats?

[ken cierp]

We use .024" aluminum and .007" SS

[Rienk Ayers]

We use .024" aluminum and .007" SS

Do you recommend 6061, 5052, or just 2024?

[Rienk Ayers]

BTW, here's my favorite source for aluminum.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/m ... 6061t6.php