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I found this video (part of a set of 5) when I was wandering around YouTube.
Interesting stuff from Ron Volbrecht.
I was struck by the fact that he doesn't bend the bouts to the final shape on the iron, but lets the mold and clamping take care of that. Also, lotsa water- but he is bending BRW- probably more absorbent woods wouldn't need quite the same treatment?

VolbrechtBending

John

Man, why isn't this guy on TV? What a personality.

Very interesting to watch the different ways of doing things. Much more water that I have seen in a while. And he really just gets it plyable to clamp into the mold to set the shape. Made me nervous to watch him use the bandsaw with no guard lowered over the height of the blade.

Thanks for digging that one up for us!

I found that pretty interesting.  I saved the link to my desktop, so I can look again easily.  I noticed hat he has some other video portions on there too.  Almost makes side bending seem casual doesn't it?  Is the rag on the pipe a normal process?  I have never seen that before.  His process really keeps the wood wet through the bend.  I thought it was interesting that he reheated the side with a heat gun after he had it in the mold.  Seems to me that I remember that Sloan used to boil his sides then put them hot on a mold and let them dry.  Lots of ways to skin a cat. (Sorry cat lovers!)

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Video 3 is my favorite---particulary the section where he talks about
cutting necks. "A real headache."

Man why didn't I think about searching youtube for this kind of stuff!? Thanks John for pointing the way!! I haven't yet but I will watch it tonight. And because I plan on hand bending soon, I need all the advise I can get.
Thanks again!!

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Ron V. is quite a character!
Too bad he doesn't show the top bracing details in the vids. (not that I could see, anyway.)

John