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Bending Iron

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 12:23 am
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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Re: Bending Iron

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 10:47 am
by tippie53
you will want to be about 350 for bending
also there is a learning curve. Take your time

Re: Bending Iron

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 10:57 am
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.)

Re: Bending Iron

Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 6:49 pm
by Diane Kauffmds
Thank you both for your insight. I will definitely do as you both suggest.

Re: Bending Iron

Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 10:58 pm
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.

Re: Bending Iron

Posted: Thu May 25, 2017 12:41 am
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.

Re: Bending Iron

Posted: Thu May 25, 2017 7:35 am
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.

Re: Bending Iron

Posted: Sun May 28, 2017 3:15 am
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?