"Twin" Dobro Project

[Dobroguy]

Hello Everyone. I hope posting about a Dobro build isn't against the rules?

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It's been awhile since I've added anything to this forum. In the meantime I've built a couple of vintage-style Gibson lap steel guitars. I'm now back to working on a new acoustic project (two Dobros). I was finally able to assemble all the needed wood and hardware components for the build. This is my first scratch build and I bought my heat blanket and related equipment from our good host John about a year ago. I have some lovely high figure hardrock maple for the sides. It's 1/8” thick, which is too thick for bending. This will also be my first bending attempt. My maple wood is VERY expensive, so I'd like to maximize my chance of success. In that regard I'd appreciate some advise regarding a “safe” thickness for bending the sides as well as heat temperature (s) to use for the specific type of wood I have. I know there is no substitute for experience, especially for critical steps, and there is lots of experience on this forum. Here's a typical shot of the wood figure I have.

[Dobroguy]

Sometimes I make "accidental" mistakes. However, I'm usually a quick learner. Once burned, twice shy as the saying goes. With the help of some great people on the forum I successfully bent my first side today. I will bend the second side this evening and I should be good to go after that.

My first attempt:

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My second attempt:

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[Morecowbell]

Congrats!

Please give us the details, what temperature, how long, water or windex, etc? I'm very curious about bending figured wood, seems like it would be more challenging.

It's so fun to see the guitar shape appear!

[Dobroguy]

I got the first pair of sides joined today. The bending went super smooth after my first "smoking" attempt.
I pretty much followed John's instructions from his bending update video where he bent some maple sides. Lower bout @ 240F, upper bout @ 255-260F, and waist @ 325F. That took about 5 minutes (est) total time. I then raised the temp to 340F for about 10 minutes at which point I set the controller to low VAR for another 5 minutes and pulled the plug. I let it sit for 3 hours before I took the first side out of the bending jig. John advised me to wait overnight but I couldn't wait. I used distilled water with a tablespoon of ammonia added. I had Windex on hand but the blue color concerned me with Maple wood.

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[Morecowbell]

Thanks for the details, they look great.

I took mine out after 2.5 hours, I couldn't wait either. But as you've done, it's good to get them into the mold quickly so they don't get any funny ideas.

[Dobroguy]

Another first time for me. I was recently given a 28FT radius dish, which I used to trim & radius the back edges of the rim. It should make for a nicely arched back. I was really surprised at how well that turned out.

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[Morecowbell]

The sanding dish is another great innovation - makes those joints pretty straightforward

[Dobroguy]

It's starting to remind me of a Dobro. Tomorrow I will bens the sides for #2.

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[Dobroguy]

While I'm waiting for spring to arrive, the Evil Twin shows up.

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[Morecowbell]

Dang! You're moving right along - it's looking great. Please post pics on the innards of these, I'm very interested in how they work :-)