Official Luthiers Forum!

OK, do I have the basic side bending concept down, or am I missing it?

Here's what I understand:

1. You can begin bending sides at around 220 - 240 ( When you see the steam start rising from the blanket.

2. You can begin to bend almost any wood (maple, mahogany, plain bubinga, lightly figured koa) at this temperature range.

3. Once you have the wood bent, you need to bring different types of wood, as mentioned above) to different temperatures, some higher than others ( per John Mayes suggestions) and hold it there for 5-7 minutes.

Or:

Do you actually need to bend the different woods at different temperature ranges before holding them at a certain temp?

I am basically using a sandwich consisting of:

Spring steel slat
Aluminum foil
wet kraft paper
wood
wet kraft paper
Aluminum foil
Spring steel slat
heating blanket

Thanks for any insite.
Bill

_________________
Formerly know as Mandodiddle.