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Bending Black Limba http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=8707	Page 1 of 1

Author:	peterm [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:31 pm ]
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Well, I just got a gorgeous set of Black Limba from the Zootman himself and its absolutely beautifull! This morning before work I decided to bend the cutaway side... thinned to about .080, sprayed, wrapped in paper and placed in the bender. After it got hot enough I unplugged the heating blanket and cranked down part of the waist and the lower bout. Then I plugged it back in to heat it up for the cutaway portion and finish the job. I turned around to put some stuff away and almost forgot the bending machine was on... I ran back and the thermometer read 390F and even after I pulled the plug it kept creeping up I quickly unplugged, bent the side, prayed for the best and went to work. On my way back home I was thinking "gotta email that Zootman dude" and get a couple of sides" So when I got home, first thing I did was to remove the wood from the bender to see the damage... smelled a little burned to me... BUT it was PERFECT!!!!! not a sign of burning or scorching!!! Great stuff! Ever had this happen? peterm38995.0241782407

Author:	John How [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 4:21 pm ]
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I make it a point to never do anything else when I'm bending sides because yes it has happened to me. My temp controller has a switch that is full on one way and controlled by the knob in the other. I usually put it full on to get it hot and then switch to the controlled temp when it reachs my target temp. This usually only takes a few minutes during which time I stand there and watch. Glad your Black Limba came out well, I have a set I'm looking forward to using too.John How38995.0574768518

Author:	John Mayes [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:50 pm ]
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I've done that and totally forgot about it until I saw the pillar of smoke coming from my bender...the mahogany sides were toasted...charred black....always do one thing at a time..

Author:	Bobc [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:22 pm ]
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Whew Peter you lucked out. Glad the side was OK. Why not invest in a timer? I won't even answer the phone when I'm bending after a shop full of smoke and no timer.

Author:	Serge Poirier [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:05 am ]
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Glad to hear you didn't turn into a fireman and that you kept your sides Peter, i think a timer would be smart too bud!

Author:	peterm [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:17 am ]
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[QUOTE=Serge Poirier] Glad to hear you didn't turn into a fireman and that you kept your sides Peter, i think a timer would be smart too bud! [/QUOTE] Well, our very own Lillian from this forum just offer to supply one... is she great or waht??

Author:	Lillian F-W [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:28 am ]
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Well, so much for doing something quietly..... I'm happy to share. Its an extra and a toasty shop should be one you can still work in when its cold out, not one you need to rebuild.

Author:	peterm [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:35 am ]
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[QUOTE=Aoibeann] Well, so much for doing something quietly..... [/QUOTE] Lillian, I had to share with the family here! peterm38995.777337963

Author:	Don Williams [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:21 am ]
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[QUOTE=John Mayes] I've done that and totally forgot about it until I saw the pillar of smoke coming from my bender...[/QUOTE] Was this during the day? Cause at night it might have been a pillar of fire. You gotta watch out for that kind of thing.

Author:	Serge Poirier [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:09 am ]
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I'll never get bored of being reminded of this type of situation that might occur, Thanks Peter for sharing... Lillian, you secretive you!

Author:	John Mayes [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am ]
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yep at day. It was 6 years ago, and it only happened once....I never bend a side without remembering it....

Author:	Michael Dale Payne [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:48 am ]
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I made a set of Sapele bricketes here last year

Author:	Dave White [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:54 am ]
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Maybe we should get into the habit of putting a steak on the top slat when bending. That smell might register before the smoke does. And if not at least you get a barbeque. Works best when bending mesquite

Author:	tippie53 [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:32 am ]
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I have ebonized my share of wood. Here is what I have learned in my years of bending . NEVER LEAVE THE THING LOL Well I keep a thermomter on and use the controls. A spray bottle is allways near and you can actullay run the heat to 400 degrees . It takes about 7 minutes at 400 to start scorching and most at this point is sandable. 10 minutes and you have a nice set of ebony sides . 15 minutes you have charcoal for the grill 20 minutes and you won't need to take them out just suck your ashes out with the vaccum 30 minutes and you get to meet the nice guys from the fire company 325 is a good temp for bending and hold it about 3-4 minutes and let cool or use a 200 setting for 10 minutes to dry the wood off. Keeping in mind that you want to keep the wood damp till you start bending. Don't saturate just enough to keep the wood surface damp john hall

Author:	peterm [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:43 am ]
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[QUOTE=Don Williams] [QUOTE=John Mayes] I've done that and totally forgot about it until I saw the pillar of smoke coming from my bender...[/QUOTE] Was this during the day? Cause at night it might have been a pillar of fire. You gotta watch out for that kind of thing. [/QUOTE] I would love to see it at night!! a pillar of fire would look pretty cool!

Author:	Don Williams [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:24 am ]
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Yes, much better than the pillar of salt sort of thing...

Author:	Terry Stowell [ Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:00 am ]
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neither sounds enticing to this gentile...

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