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Came across this YT Video where the builder utilizes a table to aid the side bending process with using an Iron. For me, whose not quite proficient enough with an iron found it to be a useful item to keep the sides 90 degrees to the iron. I like his old school method of building.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsDcM0HaqU

Thanks for posting that video, fantastic watching a craftsman work.

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Measure Twice,

Karl B

He's using an iron that looks almost identical to mine. The table is a great idea. Thanks for posting.

I tried a table and I never had any luck with it.
Here is one trick I did learn when I was hand bending

you need 2 things a pull slat you can take a piece of aluminum or stainless that is flxible and help sandwich tighter curves
A steam iron

When you are dealing with high figure woods there is a high degree of cracking because of the run out of the wood that gives it that distinct pattern Using a slat you can "PRESS" the wood with more control. The cracking comes from flexing it over the iron.
On high figure I used the steam iron with the bendind iron and with that I could steam the wood and heat on both side at the waist to get a higher degree of success in bending. It didn't take me long to realize the bending machine was more efficient . I can bend in less than 5 min but again I am doing a bit more . I bend just about daily .

Never be afraid to experiment. Find what works for you as there is always another way that works

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John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com

I did make my own table. I thought it would be advantageous to this novice bender. Basically copied it from the video above.



As a trial bend on Australian Blkwood that's the intended B&S wood I chose for this build, I used the cutoffs' from the back pieces to get an idea how well it would bend. It bent fairly easy & all went well even though the depth was way off...



Figuring that the trial bend went w/o issue, I thought I'd go ahead & bend the sides for the SJ. I had thicknessed the sides down to .075", whereas the trial pieces were about .090". I didn't get very far on the waist bend when I started to feel a crack develop. After that, it was all downhill! Cracked the waist in 4 spots. A failed attempt...sigh! I should've been more careful w/ this flamey wood. Not sure if it can be saved?

this can be repairable

_________________
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com