Griffin Ukuleles
  • Home
  • About
  • Woods
  • Available Instruments
  • Construction
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • testimonials
  • Ukulele Stuff
  • Untitled

THE FIRST BEND IS SUCCESSFUL

7/18/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture
Bending sides is always traumatic.   It is so easy to break them, and there is always a bit of a mystery of how best to do it.  Each wood is different, Some bend readily, some are very tough.  Walnut happens to be an easy bender. I took it on first.  Next are Brazilian Rosewood and Cocobolo, two woods I have little and no experience with.
​Here is my technique.
Picture
Here is my bending machine.  Now loaded with the first of the walnut sides.  You may be able to read my recipe on the side.  First a steel bending sheet, then a sandwich of wet wood, parchment paper, wrapped in aluminum foil.  Then the heat blanket topped with one more steel sheet to contain the heat.
Picture
Here is the end of the press and shows the control device which I use  to turn on and off and reduce the temp from time to time. The heat blanket plugs into it.
Picture
Picture
Once you wrap the side up into this package it is difficult to remember up from down.  It is important to mark the sandwich up.  Note the marks on the left which line up in the bender, and on the right, an upwards arrow indicating how it must be put into the bender.
Picture
Now it is bending time.  When wood gets to this temp it is ready to bend.  The lignin in wood gets fluid and wood is bendable.  When it cools it stiffens again in the new position.
Picture
Hot out of the press, It doesn't get any better than this.  This is a perfect bend.  When I peeled off the foil and the paper, the wood was perfect.  Wow!  that is fun. 
Picture
Here it is out of the wrapping
Picture
And now it goes into the form to cool and set.  It's mate on the other side will be put in here when it is done.
Picture
Now both sides are bent and in the form. A successful bend.  Lets hope the Brazilian and Cocobolo will go as well.
Picture
While waiting for the bends to cool I was able to taper and form the fret boards to their final shape.  They will of course be finally shaped in the final sanding after they are installed.
2 Comments
Sarina
7/19/2016 08:20:43 pm

Brian - Nice bends! I was glad to hear that you will be playing with our class on Thursday. I am looking forward to meeting you and seeing your bass.

Reply
Brian Griffin
7/19/2016 09:46:13 pm

Sarina, thanks for looking at my blog. Looking forward to Thursday in Anacortes- always fun, and looking forward to meeting you.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.