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I'm planning an L-00 build for my first acoustic this year. I'm going with sitka over EIR because the consensus seems to be that EIR is kindof a go to wood for some teachers because it's ease of bending makes it easier for a first timer to be sucessful (and I like Sitka over EIR, LOL).
I would like to use bloodwood for the binding (LMI stock). How easy does it bend? Is it close to EIR in those terms? Easier? More difficult?
I'll be bending on a hot pipe.
Thanks

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Mike,

I've bent bloodwood many times, and it could work for both bindings, or even an entire guitar. The thing though, is that the stock from which you cut the bindings is important. If there is much runout, it will be nearly impossible to bend. I would say if the stock has very little runout, it is not too hard to bend. However, if runout is serious, it is much harder to bend successfully, as compared to EIR, maple, or Brazilian.

Enjoy the project!

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Flamenco and Classical Guitars
Maker and Restorer

Thanks for the reply, Peter. I'll keep that in mind. When I order I'll specify well quartered with little to no runout. I've found LMI to be pretty good with stuff like that.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I have not bent Bloodwood binding but the side set with cutaway I bent went well. Used supersoft II and bent with blanket and Fox style bender at 300 deg, easier than Bubinga but more difficult than most rosewoods. I think the runout problem as mentioned above will be the deciding factor. Can't be any worse to bend than ebony binding which I do on a bending iron with supersoft and lots of heat and patience and usually need to use at least a couple extra pieces to get a set bent.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Thanks, Fred. as to the Super Soft II, I think that might be a good idea.
I have read about it here, but have never seen or used it. I get that it is an aid to bending.
Where would I get it? And is the wood soaked in it, or just spritzed with it?
P.S.: O.K., googled it. Highland Woodworking carries it, and I presume it comes with instructions.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I used it before for binding. I broke a couple pieces due to runout. A very hot pipe helps alot. I'd order a couple extra pieces just in case. You can always use them for binding the fretboard or something later on if you don't break any. It's really nice looking stuff when its done. Try it out. Koa looks really nice on EIR too if it don't work out, and bends easier.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

Mike I spritz the SS II on and let it soak in, wait at least 24 hours.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Order several extra pieces. My experience is that you will use them.

same here

Tjanks for all the replies.
The consensus seems to be a)it depends on the individual piece, and b) purchase extra.
That's what I needed to know. I always buy extra when it comes to things like binding. It's cheap insurance.
I'll also buy some Super Soft II for a little added insurance.
Much appreciated to all. Thanks.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Thanks, Chris. Appreciated.
About the Fox bender, my shop is 8 x 10. No room for a fox bender. It'll be a hot pipe for me for the forseeable future. But to one of the points you made, if others can learn to do it, so can I. Worse case, I'll just keep buying bloodwood binding until I get 'er done.
It's an incredible comfort to have this forum to bounce off of before I start, though.
Thanks to all for sharing your experiences.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I bend 2mm strips for rosettes on a hot pipe. It splits very easily, so I use a good deal of water and go VERY slow.
Bending the bindings would be easyer I think, but remember that if you have purfling glued to the bindings, then you cant use a lot of water.

I bend mostly dry on a pipe. Wet rag at the waist.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I've not done any bloodwood binding, but I have bent several bloodwood sides. It can be difficult, especially if it's very thick or there's any runout. For bloodwood, more than 1/16" is beginning to be too thick to bend.
Check out my entry in Challange 2, it's a bloodwood L-00.

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A man hears what he wants to hear, and disreguards the rest. Paul Simon