Hi,

Been around here for a long time sponging up information, first time poster. I've made two acoustic guitars, buying sides pre-bent (Martin 000-style) with relative success. Been building solid body electrics for years. Not a seller, just a guy that builds and finds a free home for instruments and tube amps (...and bamboo fly rods). Here is what I want to do. I am going to focus on Martin style (D28) dreadnoughts for the next few years, nothing else. I'd like to attempt to get good at one thing only for now. So, I want to build a side bending machine...for Martin-style dreds. I want to stay as close to pre-war spec as is reasonable....reasonable. I'm just wondering who, if anybody, has the best set of plans for a Martin-style dreadnought, since that is what the bender will be used for. I'm speaking of a "Fox type" using heating blanket, slats, etc. Also, is there any big advantage in using Baltic birch ply as opposed to box store birch plywood? I'm gentle on tools and not in a production environment, but I like quality/effectiveness as much as the next guy.

I guess an accurate guitar plan/drawing is really my main concern at this point. That will guide my thoughts and pre-build/tool-up efforts. I'm in no hurry and budget is secondary (but I like building my own tools/jigs).

Thanks for any thoughts or input.

curtis

Check out John Hall at Bluescreek Guitars. He will have everything you will need to build the bender and I'm sure he can provide you with a period correct tracing of a pre-war D-28 guitar. Great to deal with and good prices.
Cal

If you are using a silicone blanket, rather than light bulbs, you might as well go to a solid form rather than sides with bars between. Gives you better support.
Other than that , I use one like kenceirp shows with everything attached to the bending form rather than a separate frame.