Bending mahogany......whats the best way?

[Kevin Sjostrand]

My wife is trying to help, she just told me she brought home a big roll of Kraft paper today.
What were the problems again associated with using this brown paper?
Thanks
Kevin

[Jim_H]

I think Ken suggested possible staining or color bleeding issues.

You might pour a little water on a test piece (enough to puddle and soak in good), and let it dry. See if it forms a ring.

I suspect there are a lot of variables in how the stuff is made.

I have a roll of stuff I've had for years. Its pretty heavy, like brown paper grocery bags. I don't see any evidence of color bleeding out on my test bends I've made, but I just mist it on enough to make it damp.

[Tony_in_NYC]

I'm curious, what happened with the sides for Tommyboy? Did the metal leave rust on the sides that couldn't be removed?

Yes, it was the rust on the spring steel banding slats. Tom had staniless steel slats, but they are tougher to get into the bender and I am used to my spring steel slats, so we used mine. I stupidly said that I never had an issue with the tarnish staining the wood, but I also never bent white cedar sides before! We bent the sides, took 'em out, and lo and behold, bunches of black marks all over the wood. I still feel terrible about it.

[kencierp]

I will continue to post that I have been using aluminum metal parts on our benders for many, many years with zero problems.

To the issue of stains, 9 times out of 10 the stains can be removed with oxalic acid -- Which is simply out door wood deck cleaner

here you go:

http://www.amazon.com/Oxalic-Acid-for-B ... B001F2US4U

I will continue to post that I have been using aluminum metal parts on our benders for many, many years with zero problems.

To the issue of stains, 9 times out of 10 the stains can be removed with oxalic acid -- Which is simply out door wood deck cleaner

here you go:

http://www.amazon.com/Oxalic-Acid-for-B ... B001F2US4U

Ken, you've mentioned aluminum slats in several of your posts. Perhaps you could post the specifics for the aluminum and where they may be purchased. Thanks.

I will continue to post that I have been using aluminum metal parts on our benders for many, many years with zero problems.

To the issue of stains, 9 times out of 10 the stains can be removed with oxalic acid -- Which is simply out door wood deck cleaner

here you go:

http://www.amazon.com/Oxalic-Acid-for-B ... B001F2US4U

I would strongly urge testing on inconspicuous area or scrap prior to using Oxalic to remove stains. It is quite a powerful product and might remove coloring from the wood. TSP might be another, milder, candidate for removing unwanted stains on wood.

[kencierp]

Most of the time we get our aluminum from McMaster Carr sheets 24x36 .023" In a pinch the stuff from Lowe's and HD. the thickness is similar has been used and works fine. We cut the strips on one of the bands saw -- fine tooth blade, smooth the edges with a sanding block (in my view another plus for aluminum) -- don't try that with stainless steel.

We mix the deck cleaner (oxalic acid) using the same ratios suggested by the manufacturer (always a good idea) never had an issue. However I do agree with Tom testing is a good idea.

[Woody OKeefe]

I always let someone else bend it. That way I never have a problem.

[tippie53]

When I lived in the city we had chlorine in the water , and I was using Alum slats . I did have a Koa set turn color . I don't know if it was the chlorine or not . I suspect the chemical . Use a barrier when in doubt , any untreated paper will work well for that and it does a 2 fold job . One it allows moisture to wick to and from the wood and it also catches the resin from the wood so it doesn't fix to the slats .
I do prefer the stainless , at least for the bottom slat on open patterns as it dose supply good support. On solid patterns it doesn't matter.

[kencierp]

In my view, chemical and mineral free distilled water must be used in the bending process or you are asking for trouble. If there is iron in the water, Cherry, Oak, Walnut, and Sycamore to name a few will develop black stains, though they can be removed its a PIA.