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I'm wondering how people are attaching their dedicated cauls to their Fox Style benders (just like the title says).

After years of planning on building one, I finally have pulled off the bender build. I have it set up to use a dedicated caul for each form. Originally I was going to put some screws through the foot of the press and have them feed into a pair of threaded inserts. This is probably how I'm going to end up doing it, but the last time I tried to put an insert into the edge of plywood, it didn't go to well. I was thinking there is probably another way to do this.

One thought was Earth Magnets. I'm just not sure if I could get them to hold without moving around so much. Another crazy idea is Velcro. But the heat would probably cause issues with the adhesive. I guess what I am looking for is an idea that will be easily repeatable from one caul to another.

Thanks Todd. I had seen a post a while ago where you had shown that picture. I was worried about being able to align the holes to keep everything in place, and then reproducing that for every caul I make. But the tape idea is great.

I think my problem here could be solved. Now I just need to come up with a good way to cut the slot for the tension bar in an already made solid form without a band saw. I'll get it.

John,
What I did was first set the caul in place on the form with the press down and then drill a hole in each side and put a dowel pin in as guide. In this case it's Alu. Then I hold it up and center and set deck screws into it. I have access holes drilled on top. Or you can start the screws with the press down and a stubby screw driver and then raise the press up and finish driving the screws. The frist time is the hardest but after that it's easy enough. I removed my center slat. I also pinned this form in place too. Just another option.
Some people don't even use the tension bar. I find that when you load the sandwich and have the clips on then run the press down to the slats that the tension bar doesn't seem to do much. The sandwich is supported at the two bouts and the press caul touching the top of the waist and the spring cauls to each side of the press and clips.

I use dedicated cauls and put a couple of hanger bolts in them and attach with wing nuts. I stick 1/4" dowels through the guide slots into holes in the caul to align it. The whole top assembly can be removed for ease in loading and removing the side.

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

You know come to think of it. If you use dowels pins as guides like TK and I do then if I were to put pins into the press bearing block too and extend them longer then I could just use a clip or rubber band to hold the up and together. The only reason they need to be held together is to keep it out of the way when loading and unloading. The one thing I like about the pins is it makes it pretty easy to aline the caul and I don't have to worry about slotting the caul. But I like the ease of the caul changes with Todd's setup. And since you already have the center / guide slat in your bender I'd just take the caul to the tablesaw and make a couple of well placed swipes and pop it in. Keep it on the snug side and you might not even need the tape for awhile. Maybe I'll go and put my center slat back in and change over to Todd's system. Heck, I only have 2 cauls to slot.

Mt attachment of the caul looks like Todd's, but has nothing pinning itto the centre bar on the press. They simply slide over, and once you start dropping the press, it self aligns pretty much. You can tap it one way or the other as it goes anyway.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Another take. Stainless pipe smaller than the tightest bend. Welded some ends on the pipe and a couple of studs so that it can be attached to the plywood holder thingie with wing nuts. Rod guides the caul and can be slipped out for easy removal after taking off the wing nuts. The key is to make the pipe bottom out or register against the bottom of the grove in the ply with only enough contact with the V sides to keep it centered or it will split when you put pressure on it.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I have one of John Hall's benders and it uses springs to attach it. This also makes it removeable. I love it!

When one of these basic, how to questions, comes up I always like to see the outcome of the answers.

Last night I successfully attached the caul to the press in my bending machine. I used Todd Stocks bar idea with tape. Once I decided on materials and my process, it was fairly easy. I just cut the slots with a couple of passes of the table saw and everything went together well. Adding the tape for friction works like a charm.





In the second picture I have the caul pushed back so you can see how it goes together.

Overall I’m pleased with it. I used pins to align the press in the bender. I get some movement when I am screwing it down. If I were to do it over again (and I probably will) I might just extend the bar into the slot on the bender. Originally I thought the pins might give me a slight bit of wiggle room if things were not quite square. I think it will but I’m not so sure if I’m comfortable with the “Wiggle” I’m seeing. It isn’t bad, just something I would do differently. Of course I haven’t bent sides in it so it could be fine. I’m going to be using a pressure bar under the sandwich. The pressure of that bar might firm things up.

Next step is to pick up some springs and cut the pressure bar slot in my bending form. Once that is done, I should be set.

Thanks for all your help,

John

I want to see the sides bent.

Baby steps.

That would do it and is probably the right thing to do. I'm just trying to talk myself out of reworking things that don't really need it. But I'll probably will.

What kind of wiggle? I think it will be fine or you could put 2 more pins in it one below each existing pin. Even with a slat extened it either will wiggle some or even worst want to bind some. You're over thinking it, just bend some sides and decide then if you are unhappy with it change it. You sure you aren't apprehensive about bending the sides and looking for excuses to delay?
I want to see some practice sides bent by dinner time.