F&&&&$$$$!!!

[kiwigeo]

Third attempt at hand bending a venetian cutaway.......just about had it nailed...then the friggin' side split in half as I was trimming the end of the side with a block plane.

Number four will be the one!!!!

[ozwood]

Sorry to hear that Mate , we have all had those moments, I have had several.

Hope the next ones the trick !

cheers,

[kiwigeo]

Thanks Paul,

Ill get there....time to fine tune the mold insert so the cutaway curves are less tight.

[rocket]

Sometimes this caper can be very very trying Martin can't it!! Any chance of using a bender and heat source, say, blanket or bulbs ?
Rod.

[kiwigeo]

Sometimes this caper can be very very trying Martin can't it!! Any chance of using a bender and heat source, say, blanket or bulbs ?
Rod.

Yeah a bender and heat blanket would be alot easier but Im determined to do this by hand.....

[rocket]

Fair enough, extra points for dogged determination!! I've had the hot pipe bender in the shop for quite a while but usually use the side bender for my sides, but on my current build, a Florentine, i used the hot pipe to bend the cutaway, i had a piece of wet cloth between the timber and the heat and a stainless steel strap behind to support the bend, happy with the result.
Rod.

[kiwigeo]

Persistence and perseverance pays off eventually...pity this was just a practice run.

[kiwigeo]

I now have a nice pile of orphaned sides....looks like Ill be making a few ukes.

[Steve.Toscano]

What's the thickness of the sides at the cutaway?
Looks quite thick in those photos.
I work mine down to around 1.6 - 1.8mm in the cutaway area then add 2 small side braces for extra support.
Ohh and obviously soak for an hour in hot water.

Havent broken a side yet. Binding though.....

[kiwigeo]

What's the thickness of the sides at the cutaway?
Looks quite thick in those photos.
I work mine down to around 1.6 - 1.8mm in the cutaway area then add 2 small side braces for extra support.
Ohh and obviously soak for an hour in hot water.

Havent broken a side yet. Binding though.....

Sides are worked down to 1.7-1.8mm around cutaway area.

[Dave M]

Funny that. I have completely failed to achieve the cutaway bend - and I have tried! Using maple so I can't afford to let it get too hot because of scorching. Tried with some water, with a bit more, a bit less. Wrapped in Al foil since I am using spring steel...


I am using a home made bender based on the Art Abrahams machine which is based on Mike Doolin's original insight that you have to tension both bending slats to provide support around the s bend. Silicone blanket, thermocouple, dimmer switch heat control.
Still can't do it.

I have put it to one side for now to have a practice at a falcate braced classical of traditional shape. I am going to try and find a guitarmaker willing to give a couple of hours tuition.

Good luck with your continuing efforts.

Dave

[Nick]

Maple I give the smallest amount of water, if any. Have done Florentine cutaways in figured Maple on my Archtops, IRW I give a reasonable spritz as I do with most other timbers I've bent (I've always built with a cutaway of some description) and the bend on a Maccaferri is the tightest I've done. I've always used an iron and hand bending, I just bend a little at a time (don't try to bend all in one go!) and let the timber bend at it's own rate I just supply a little tension to help it go, I hardly ever force it to bend unless it wants to be particularly awkward. Unless it's highly figured timber where it could split on the end grain figure, I've never used a slat behind the bend either to re-enforce it, fortunately to date I've never had to convert my efforts into kindling or firelighters So it is possible Dave, don't give up just got to be patient

[kiwigeo]

Good luck with your continuing efforts.

Dave

Thanks Dave....your picture of the pile of mangled maple made me feel alot better....nothing like knowing someone else is having ten times as much trouble bending venetian cutaways as I am.

[Nick]

Whoops, I should have said Venetian cutaway not Florentine in my post I'm losing it.