Olson Inspired Combo Bender, Bulbs and Blanket
Here is a jig that's a bit
different than the Fox. It is similar to Olson and Petros. Simple
to build and inexpensive. It is dedicated to a single shape, but I like
it very much. Improvements to this bender since I started building them:
1) No metal slats to fool with 2) Ferrules, 6 inch bolts and
Tee Nuts hold it together 3) It is rigid due to the form covered
in 24 gauge sheet metal 4) Use with the silicone heat blanket and
recently the added 2-200 watt bulbs, heating from atop the wood, and below the
wood, great combination 5) And... a Hot Tip for bending,
turn off A/C units, and ceiling fans, or anything that could cool the setup
while bending, you'll avoid the pitfall it took me weeks to solve.
This is a bench model, notice the open bottom for
bulb changing.
It is slightly compensated at the head 1/4 inch and
3/8 inch at the tail for spring back.
Notice the top of the upper and lower bouts are
level, keeps the wood from sliding around.
This holds it all together, 1/4 by six inch bolts,
1/2 inch EMT ferrules.
Ferrules are cut with a tubing cutter from electrical
metallic tubing, 1/2 inch.
Tee nuts require drilling the holes on one side up a
size.
This is the simple 2 by 4 base,
let-in to the bottom board.
Okay, time to nail on the stainless or galvanized 24 gauge
metal.
I use the 7/8 inch tempered paneling nail, due to the
ridge rings on the shank.
And you can see the two bulb bases, and salvaged cord
from something?
With the bulbs and silicone heating blanket, the wood
doesn't have a chance, it's going to bend.
A good way to make penetrating the sheet metal is use
a 1 5/8 tempered sheetrock screw
on pre-scribed lines, nail on about three inch
intervals.
Thanks for letting me share this bender.
I have to give credit to John Mayes for the digital
thermometer.
You can get one at Wal-Mart for twelve bucks.
And that way, you know where you are and where you
need to go, with the heat. However you bend your wood or build your
bender, it's a satisfying part of guitar making, bending those sides, good
luck.
Bruce Dickey