Bending Iron

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Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Bending Iron

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

It's high time I learn to bend my wood. I picked up this small bending iron from EBay. The iron stands about 15" tall. The base is about 6" x 8". The iron is weighty for its diminutive size. What caught my attention was the temperature control. The unit displays Celsius only.

I tested the unit by setting the temp at 100° C (212° F). The unit was holding 102°, so I assumed the little blue screw to the right of the temp controls, to be a calibrator. I was right. I turned the screw counterclockwise and the temp dropped to 100°.

You can hear the thermostat clicking on and off frequently , exhibiting fine control of the temperature. It stayed within 1° of the setting. It's a small unit. I'm going to mount it onto a piece of plywood, so I can carry it where I want, then clamp it down. Although it's small, it's big enough to bend guitar sides.
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Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
tippie53
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Re: Bending Iron

Post by tippie53 »

you will want to be about 350 for bending
also there is a learning curve. Take your time
John Hall
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Danl8
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Location: Chadds Ford, PA

Re: Bending Iron

Post by Danl8 »

Also bend lot of scrap of various species and thicknesses, fast and slow, including going beyond the breaking point to get a good feel for how the wood gives, sets, and breaks, etc. You might also play with the position of the iron for ergonomics. I started with a horizontal pipe and moved on to bend with a vertical pipe. (Actually I now use John's gizmo, much faster and very easy and accurate.)
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Bending Iron

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

Thank you both for your insight. I will definitely do as you both suggest.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
Kevin Sjostrand
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Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Bending Iron

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Very neat looking iron Diane. I bet way cheaper then what the guitar supply houses are selling?
It looks a lot better than the one I made too.
ChuckBarnett
Posts: 136
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Location: Arlington, WA

Re: Bending Iron

Post by ChuckBarnett »

Danl8 wrote:...I started with a horizontal pipe and moved on to bend with a vertical pipe. (Actually I now use John's gizmo, much faster and very easy and accurate.)
I practiced once bending horizontally and planned to do that on the figured maple for real. But now i have second thoughts. I wonder about accuracy, particularly regarding keeping the bend square. So you feel vertical is better? Any further tips for the nube?

Thank you.
Danl8
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Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:50 am
Location: Chadds Ford, PA

Re: Bending Iron

Post by Danl8 »

ChuckBarnett wrote:I practiced once bending horizontally and planned to do that on the figured maple for real. But now i have second thoughts. I wonder about accuracy, particularly regarding keeping the bend square. So you feel vertical is better? Any further tips for the nube?

Thank you.
With vertical bending it's easier to see the curvature develop --you can look down on the edge of the wood-- and horizontal gives the advantage of using your weight to assist bending -- at least I find it easier to bear down on the wood that way. Thin wood bends pretty easily making the latter less advantageous. I always have a curvature template right there to constantly check the accuracy of the bend, both the curve and any unwanted skew. The machine compares favorably to manual bending I find, but I still use the pipe for lute ribs and single purfling strips. For purfling I have a slot cut in the metal that supports the strip on three sides to help with bending.
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Bending Iron

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

Danl8 wrote:
ChuckBarnett wrote:I practiced once bending horizontally and planned to do that on the figured maple for real. But now i have second thoughts. I wonder about accuracy, particularly regarding keeping the bend square. So you feel vertical is better? Any further tips for the nube?

Thank you.
With vertical bending it's easier to see the curvature develop --you can look down on the edge of the wood-- and horizontal gives the advantage of using your weight to assist bending -- at least I find it easier to bear down on the wood that way. Thin wood bends pretty easily making the latter less advantageous. I always have a curvature template right there to constantly check the accuracy of the bend, both the curve and any unwanted skew. The machine compares favorably to manual bending I find, but I still use the pipe for lute ribs and single purfling strips. For purfling I have a slot cut in the metal that supports the strip on three sides to help with bending.
Do you have a photo of the iron and purfling slot?
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
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