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I just bent some african mahogany sides and they look like a plowed field-hills and furrows deeper than the thickness of the sides. I have bent honduras mahogany sides that had minor ripples that were easily sanded out, but nothing like this before. After the first side, I thought maybe I used too much water(none on the side, just wet brown paper), so on the second side I let the paper dry out some before I assembled the sandwich. Bent when I saw steam, finished the bend around 375, held it there for 5 mins. and then at about 275 for 30 mins. to dry it out. Left it over night, got the same result. Anybody fixed something like this, or will it be better to just punt and use some other wood(this stuff was cheap, I was using it for a prototype for a new shape)?

Thanks, Paul

this is a problem with AM. the wood has hard and soft areas, I found that you can bend this dry . Avoid water as much as possible. A light spray is all you need . Start bending at 270 and hold to 375 for 2-3 minutes, Hold 250 for 15 mins and let cool.

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John Hall
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I am going to be bending some African Mahogany very shortly. How thick did you make the sides?

Thx!

Glenn

Glenn - the sides were about .085
John - I figured moisture was the problem, but the second side was bent with no water on the side, jut barely damp brown paper. Have you ever had any luck geting rid of bad ripples like this, or is it a loss? This wood seems a little strange, softer and floppier than usual and even the least tacky blue tape wil pull up long strings out of the grain if you anen't really careful removing it.

thanks, Paul

You may be able to smooth out the ripples with a clothes iron, I've ironed sides from the inside, while inside my molds to correct minor ripples.
Glenn, I've never used African Mahogany, but super soft 2 really helps with Lacewood, Quilted Maple and other hard to bend woods. Just mist the wood with it, and let it sit overnight before bending.

Super Soft 2 might help with ironing out the ripples too.

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Paul,

I have some luck correcting this problem with side braces.

Josh

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Josh House

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You might try sanding out the ripples on a spindle sander and then laminating the sides to another set of thin sides. A lot of builders use laminated sides here so they might have more or different advice on some techniques.

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Ken Franklin
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