Cheap Side Bending
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:10 pm
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.
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.