Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 170 - Bending Cutaway Side by Hand

[@GarlandStringedInstruments]

Very nicely done, Robbie. After 10+ years of hand-bending I still picked up a few tips from you! (I wouldn't be seen - even dead - in church, but I'm going to keep paying taxes, crank up the temperature and *definitely* going to buy some of those big-ass leather gloves to help the process!😁)

[@rakentrail]

Robbie, I never tried this on a guitar but back in the late 70's I worked for a company for a summer that made wooden plank hull boats out of oak. their secret "bending fluid" was just water and Downey fabric softener. 5/4 x 10 oak planks bent easily with the fluid and steam.

[@michatrieba8947]

Thanks for sharing. I bent my first cutaway last Friday - it cracked. My conclusion was: plane it thinner. Which your video nicely confirms. Besides that one of your older bending tutorial gave me very good instruction! Your mould is cute with this cutaway "plugin". Efficient. Inspiring!

[@youtubecommentor4480]

At 8:50 - Good clean living! More of what the world needs.

[@ConstrutorMusical]

I'm scared as hell to crack sides... You always makes that to look so easy... I hope i can do that without breaking anything...

[@youtubecommentor4480]

Fantastic tutorial! You are the only one I’ve seen thus far who recommends wearing gloves for finger and hand protection! Totally agree! Thank you.

[@OBrienGuitars]

Well, if you like to burn your hands you can try it without gloves. Thanks for watching.

[@cfbarnett]

Thanks, Robbie! On my third ukulele now and will be graduating from ukulele efforts after this one and another one. Plan to build a couple of guitars next. I have a bender like that and that's what I have used. What is the wood, mahogany? And what temp do you bend at? I believe temperature varies with wood type? I've been running between 325 and 350. Maybe that's too hot? Reason I say that is I seem to have to spritz during the bend. Thanks, again!

[@OBrienGuitars]

The wood is mahogany and the temp is at max setting. Don't worry about the temp. Get it hot and bend. Happy Building!

[@dalgguitars]

nice!

[@sewing1243]

With the closing of LMI is there another supplier that Robbie will be recommending?

[@OBrienGuitars]

Yes, I am speaking with Stew Mac about materials.

[@youtubecommentor4480]

Can you please tell me what bending iron you utilized in the video? Thank you.

[@OBrienGuitars]

I am using a bending iron I got from Music Tools in Brazil. If you are here in the States you can find one from Stew mac here. stewmac.sjv.io/Qyeono

[@PeterBurrowes]

I like the wet paper towel. I've been bending on a hot pipe, but hadn't used that trick.

[@KBorham]

You made that look so easy. You must pay your taxes early too.... Thanks for the demo.