I have been building Ukelele’s for almost two years completing eight so far. My preferred method for bending (having tried many) is as follows: I make my molds wide enough to bend both sides with a shaped waist block. Sides are thinned to 2mm soaked in warm water for approx. 30 min. then placed in a modified pipe clamp with feet. Starting with the butt clamped to the mold I slowly bend till the sides touch the bust. Laying the waist block and clamps on both sides, slowly squeeze the waste block till fully set against waist. I now loosen the pipe clamp and slowly bend the sides over the bust adjusting the clamp till I have the both the butt and bust firmly set on the mold. Let set 48 hours then removed from mold with very little spring back, no cracks, ready for the next stage. Woods I have bent are walnut, popular and a marbled maple.