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Just test drove this home made thing! Feels and looks like it is going to work a treat

Building in progress...




Tool completed and she's steaming...

That for bending the sides of the archtop build?

IB;JB

I hope that metal t u b e is earthed.

sizzlingbadger wrote:I hope that metal t u b e is earthed.

Sure is and tested it as well

200W heater cartridge. Dimmer is rated for 500W/2A.

I thought it was going to take 10 minutes or so for the pipe to heat up, but only takes about 3 minutes on full bore and then the water just 'explodes' off it.

Hope to test it with some wood soon after I have tidied up the bottom (proper isolation, etc).

Post by twangnsnarl » Sat Dec 10, 2016 12:23 pm
That for bending the sides of the archtop build?

Yip, it is a BENDER

jvpp wrote:
Yip, it is a BENDER

Hey! I resemble that comment!

bender wrote:

jvpp wrote:
Yip, it is a BENDER

Hey! I resemble that comment!

Resent the comment or resemble the Bender?

Very nice, that old decking has come in handy after all. Did you make the flange and piping part?

Nice, needs cool paint job like Bobs bobbinator thingumy lol

Never really looked into this, I presume you soak the ply though and bend it around the really hot pipe? Or is there steam involved somewhere?

bobiron wrote:Very nice, that old decking has come in handy after all. Did you make the flange and piping part?

Sadly I am not much of a metal worker, so a mate of mine did it. I owe him a part of the next Kingfish I hope to catch soon.

Bg wrote:Nice, needs cool paint job like Bobs bobbinator thingumy lol

Never really looked into this, I presume you soak the ply though and bend it around the really hot pipe? Or is there steam involved somewhere?

I'll keep mine rough and ready thanks.

Yes, apply wetness to the the veneer, then apply heat and slowly bend. The steam is a byproduct

yeah makes sense. I actually much prefer the rough and ready artisan look I think.

Had a bit of a test bender this morning. I think I cut the veneer to thick as it ain't easy but at least the wood is complying, sort off anyway.

The tool works well though. With thinner strips of veneer it will be a breeze (I hope).

'Bending frame' with strip



Strip loosely in frame - needs pressure blocks to keep it in desired shape and for gluing the veneer strips



Showing top in bending frame

Have you thought of trying a steam box the same as what boat builders use?

H671 wrote:Have you thought of trying a steam box the same as what boat builders use?

Yeah, I could do with a sauna

The honest answers is no, I thought this would be taking up the smallest space and that it would be the easiest method. So I will give the tool an honest attempt first before I start thinking about others methods.