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BOWLS AND SIDE BENDING

3/11/2018

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It was a lovely Spring day, perfect for putting finish on bowls outside of the workshop.  The Behlen's finish I use is pretty smelly and I like to apply it outdoors when possible.
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In addition to the big one, I had 19 smaller bowls needing another coat of finish, so I set up a table outside the shop and had at it.
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Most of these bowls were turned green ten years ago when I sold bowls and paintings at our local Farmers Market.  They have been sitting in the rough form in my storage locker for all these years.  Just recently I dragged them out an turned them to their finished form.  Anyone need a pretty bowl?  The big one goes to the Festival of Music Auction next month.
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Next I turned my attention to bending the sides on the baritone and concert.  Would you believe that I put a baritone side in the bender and once again, promptly broke it.  Now I was left with just two pieces of the Australian Blackwood.  I decided to return to the old fashioned hand work with a hot tube.
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And wouldn't you know,  I got two perfect bends.  The ability to feel the wood with your fingertips gives great control.  I may toss that bending machine and return to the ancient method of bending sides.
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This hot pipe was given to me by a great fellow who bought a uke from me.  He welded the end shut.  It contains a commercial soldering iron that provides the heat.
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The pipe takes a long time to heat up but holds its heat well.  It heats up to 280 degrees which seems to be quite adequate for bending.  I shall be using it frequently in the future.
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I have clamped the sides around the molds as they dry.  In a couple of days I will proceed in putting together the ukes.
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