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Do you shape your sides before bending?

If you do not like the result, can you "unbend" and try again? (or toss it).

Mike

I do not profile till after bending I have a flexable ABS profile template that I use to mark the profile the cut with a cut off tool. I set my linings a tad proud of this cut profile then bown sand till all is level with the bowl.

it is possible un bend a set but it is not simple th get them dead flat again. Unbending is really for the most part best done by hand over a pipe or iron.

Profile the back but leave the top straight to aid indexing in the bender. When the end blocks are in I use a flrexible template to profile the top.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I do what Colin does. It's also easier to glue in the blocks (neck, tail) with a flat, unprofiled side on one side.

Same here, profile the back, top left straight. Sand the top profile with the radius dish and angle the upper bout after the back is on the box.
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Well, the sad sack reason I asked was because I screwed up on the bottom side of the harp guitar. Bent it inside out. Seems it would be less chancy if the shaping were done after the bending. I took Bruce Dickey's advice and flatened it. It's back in the bender now. If it works, great... if not, chalk it up to yet one more lesson learned.

Mike

If I had not done it and seen it myself, I would not have believed it.

Rebent side looks just fine.

Mike

Good job Mike!

Have done it both ways, but for me cutting out the profile on band saw first keeping top as a straight edge works best for me. I then shape the blocks, glue on ribs, bowel sand, install lining and then final bowel sand slight proud linings to rims. Way learned and did in other shops, so why change a thing that won't matter in how do it in any manner, when other things more important to learn or may think of changing.
I have also bent sides so when in mold both rims were for one side. I just put it back in bender and slowly rebent them. I have done it with koa and coco with no problem.