Official Luthiers Forum!

After wetting sides with Supersoft 2 and letting them dry, do you then re-wet the sides with water before bending? I've drilled down through miles of old threads, but can't figure out what people are doing during that part of the process.

Thanks,

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George :-)

I use a spray bottle and immediately rewet (not drench) both sides with water before they go on the hot pipe. Then rewet as necessary if the area being worked on gets too dry.

We do not directly re-wet the wood prior to bending because most of the woods we treat with SuperSoft II (e.g., figured mahogany, figured maple, curly ash, etc.) are better bent fairly dry to avoid fiber collapse and fractures. Instead, we use damp butcher paper on both sides of the wood to provide enough water to generate the steam needed for bending, but not enough water to saturate the fibers and cause collapse or tensile failure in tight bends.

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

I do the same as Rob.

John at bluescreek posted his procedure on YouTube several years ago. I don't remember exactly what it was but I bet you can find it on youtube. It would be worth a look.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I also do the same as Rob.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

Thanks for the replies. Your input is appreciated.

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George :-)

There are a series of three videos on bending figured wood with SuperSoft 2 in the Fox bender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7vd9wGG4LM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhrHvfzfDLo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjRDv9e6MFM

SuperSoft II helps - no fiber collapse and no springback on figured mahogany.

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower