Ultimate Guitar Side Bender
Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides
Side Bending with The Bending Jig:
This is probably the easiest way you will ever bend sides for you handmade guitars. The only drawback with this method is the labor that is involved to make the jig and all the different forms you will be needing. You will need one form for each different sized guitar that you make. I currently have (6) forms. The easiest way to go about this is to make one or two forms to meet immediate needs and they build them as you need them.
This article will address the method of bending the sides with the Side Bending Jig that we sell the plans for. Other bending jigs on the market can be used in a similar manner. For the information on the our jig go to the article on the Side Bending Jig. If you would like to purchase plans just click on any of the other links in this article.
Bending sides with this bending jig makes the side bending task very easy indeed.
Here is the complete procedure:
Examine Your Wood Sides:
Look for any end checking. This may ruin the whole piece if not found.
Thickness sand you sides to just a whisker over their final thickness.
Try to use straight grained, quarter sawn wood for your sides.
Mark Out Your Sides:
Lay the sides on your workbench in book-matched fashion. This is of utmost importance.
Take a sharp marking knife and cut a fine line along the center of the waist curve. This will be your alignment mark when you first insert the side into the bending jig. Make sure to do this for both sides in book-matched fashion. No not cut this mark too deeply as you will need to sand the mark out prior to your finishing operation. If you feel uncomfortable with the marking knife a heavy pencil line will work as well.
Soak the sides for around 10 to 15 minutes in a water bath.
Prepare Jig For Bending:
Get out your bending jig get is all set up in a good space with lots of access all around the jig. Place your side between the 2 stainless steel slats and slide it into position in the side bender. Now place a spring clip at each end to hold the sandwich together. Crank down the waist tension block with the press screw until the sandwich firmly contact the upper and lower bouts of the form and the waist tension block is pressing slightly downward.
Double check that he side is still firmly lined up along one edge with the stainless steel slats. Also make sure that this straight edge of the sandwich is aligned with the form edge properly. We do not want the side to twist as a result of it being fed in crooked.
Switch of the jig heating element and leave the sandwich set for about 10 minutes. Remove the spring clips at the ends of the sandwich. Slowly wind down the waist tension block until the stainless steel sandwich fits nicely between the form and the contoured waist block.
Bend the Lower Bout:
Next attach the Lower Bout retaining block to the tension springs and from the high point of the Lower Bout, slowly slide the block, while bending the side until the retaining block is near the end of the side or at the bottom of the form. Double check that the side is following the contour of the mold and then tighten the retaining block so the side won’t slip out of place.
Bend the Upper Bout:
In like manner, attach the Upper Bout retaining block to the remaining 2 tension springs. Again start with the retaining block at the widest spot of the Upper Bout and very carefully slide the retaining block toward the bottom of the jig.
Finishing Up:
Leave the side in the Bending Jig for an additional 45 minutes with the lamps turned on. Turn off the electrical source and let the jig cool down. leave the side in the Bending Jig overnight. Remove the side by reversing the procedure of bending the side.
To get plans for this jig check click the PayPal Button at the bottom of this article.
Tips and Techniques:
Ultimate Guitar Building Heated Side Bending Jig Plans:
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Tags: guitar side bending, guitar side bending jig, how to bend guitar sides, how to build a guitar, making a side bender
