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BEND THOSE SIDES

6/19/2015

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There is always an element of tension in the bending of sides.  but I think I am developing a pretty good system. Got all six sides bent today without problems.  
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First I cut the sides to their proper shape using this shooting board with clamps.  It rides in the twin slots of the table saw.
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Then I set up my home made bending press laying on it the heat blanket which is connected to the blue voltage regulator shown.  I turn it up to high and put the very accurate thermometer on  and let it rise in temp to 300.  While the temp is rising I spritz the side to be bent with water and put the top on my bending machine.  When the temp hits 300 I slip the wood under the "guillotine" and let it heat up as the temp rises to 350.  At that point I switch the volt regulator to "variable" and it seems to hold the temp there.  Then I begin to screw down the "Guillotine" slowly to make that first critical bend of the waist.
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Once the waist is bent I slowly bend each side down and clamp them as shown.  I let the side cook for about five minutes and then turn the heat off and let everything cool down.  When I can put my hand comfortably on the heat blanket I undo everything and take the bent side out.
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The still hot side is put in this press to cool while I get started on the next side.
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I saved the East Indian Rosewood for last as it is lovely and kind of pricey.  I wanted to practice on the more common wood.
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Success ! it bent beautifully and here are the two sides cooling in the press.  I also bent sides of Cumuru.  It bent slowly but well.  A pleasant surprise.   Also two sides of tiger stripe maple , always tough to bend, got a tiny crack in one side but it is usable and fixable.  The undulating grain makes curly maple always a challenge to bend.
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