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Re: New Side Bender design

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:54 am
by tippie53
We don't use MDF for the radius discs it is too unstable. We just went to a newer product. You can machine it and there is no stress movement.

THe last LMI machine I saw was indeed MDF I had not seen the baltic birch stuff , that is good to know.

Re: New Side Bender design

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:02 pm
by rienk
JRHall wrote:
rienk wrote:
For those with nothing better to do, here is a link to one of my favorite projects - which is a virtually self jigging airplane!

http://www.sreyaaviation.com/ts1/header.html

Being a pilot, this got my attention. Do you have any flying yet?
Hi John, this reply is long and way off topic, but my answer will come full circle back to guitars.

Unfortunately, the TS-1t project never went past the POC stage (proof of concept). We had designed that plane as a way to get youth interested in aviation, and have something that schools and youth groups could use as a basis for an aviation program. We intended to give away the rights to the design to any such legitimate group that would want it - but there were no takers. We ended up getting more interest from individual pilots desperate for an inexpensive airplane. But frankly, the design was never intended as a commercial operation, and would require way more support than we were able to offer - given that there was no profit in it for us. For a commercial operation, it is actually easier and more profitable to build an airplane out of composites - and it looks a lot better too! With the pent up demand for a low cost airplane, we decided to develop the 'Solo' (www.ayerscraft.com) which is a single place airplane just like the TS-1. Once the concept was proven, we will eventually build a two-seat version (appropriately called the 'Duet').

I have many areas of interest... most involve building things - with the goal of trying to develop ways to do things better or less expensive. As a Dutchman, I'm very into 'value'. The wooden TS-1 was to be my contribution to the flying community, an enterprise done "for the love of the game," even though we had other commercial aviation ventures.

Likewise, we're involved in various humanitarian projects, and have helped different groups develop new products to help those in need (a few are posted on a new website that is still in rough form, www.stillwaterfoundation.com).

Coming full circle, guitar building has become a recent interest and hobby, and though I hope that my son may be able to make a commercial venture out of it someday, I still love experimenting and coming up with new ideas that might be able to help others. I love coming up with a better mouse trap... I'm more of an idea 'integrator' than a true 'inventor'. I see two ideas that seem like they would be complimentary, and I try to make them come together. And if I can help others out by sharing it, all the better. After all, I am trying to become a luthier, not a tool maker.

Frankly, anyone can copy some other design and go into business selling knockoffs - maybe even improving on the design. BCG sells a good side bender, and LMI has come up with a new approach. I am interested in merging the two ideas, which I intend to freely share. I already told John that if he likes the design, he is welcome to build and sell kits - most people won't have the tools, skill or inclination to build their own. But for those who want to save a few bucks, they are welcome to build it themselves - just like the other one which plans were circulated earlier this year.

Glad you liked the plane! I hope others will appreciate the side bender.

Re: New Side Bender design

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 2:55 pm
by Chardo
Did plans ever get made ? If so i'd like to get a set

Re: New Side Bender design

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 3:10 pm
by johnnparchem
he has a picture of a half completed bender, you can search his posts