Bending Mulga Bindings

[Joseph Jones]

Hi all,

Build #1 is well and truly underway now.
I’ve got the sides bent (courtesy of John Maddison).
Top and back are joined, with the rosette and backstripe done. Neck started...

Today I thought I’d bend the binding, as the sides did really give me any strife. But the Mulga I’ve got seems to snap from it’s own weight let alone me bending it.

Any tips?? (They’ve been saoking for a good 8hrs now)

Joseph

[56nortondomy]

Try some fabric softener in the water, also I wouldn't soak them for so long usually 20min to 30min is enough but I've never bent mulga but works for ebony. Wayne

[Steve.Toscano]

Snap from its own weight??? Whats the grain configuration in the bindings?
Im assuming theres heaps of run out.

[Joseph Jones]

Snap from its own weight??? Whats the grain configuration in the bindings?
Im assuming theres heaps of run out.

Yeah the grain runs on a 45 and has a few swirls
in it.
Would use a dark Jarrah but the rosette and headplates are mulga so I really want to keep that theme if I can.

Joseph

[Joseph Jones]

Thanks Wayne,
I’ll get some fabric softener next time I’m in town too.

Joseph

[Dave M]

Have to say that when I've had grain runout like that I never could get it to bend using the hot iron.. This rosewood I was working with and I only got it to go in a bending machine where it was fully supported.