Official Luthiers Forum!

Here is a side bender I built. It's a cross between the Fox/Blues Creek and LMII bender. It uses the LMII blanket and temperature controller. The press screws are from Rockler. I bought the 80/20 aluminum parts, and the HDPE on eBay. Everything else is made on my CNC.. I really like the design because it is adjustable. I can use it with a ukulele or a guitar forms. Works like a champ!

Really nice work! I like your approach and the 8020 makes for a clean build. How did you finish the parts that are black?

I used 8020 to build a bender that is kind of like a Doolin bender with a pneumatic tensioned slat.

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH

Hi Brad

The black parts are black High Density Poly Ethylene.

The white parts are an ultra-lite plywood core, with a white phenolic face

I like it!
I'm actually making a similar sidebender based off of the LMI style - but also with the capability to do cut-aways.
However, the big advantage of the LMI unit IMHO is the cantilevered clamps, so that you can put your parts in from the side - really handy with cutaways - especially when you need to take them out.

I just finished machining the UHMW parts, but had to run to the store today to get some more taps for the extrusion cross locks... I hope to have that part done tomorrow. Then I'll finish cutting out the wood parts.

My design is also an attempt to be able to use both the LMI bout clamps, as well as the fox style.
I'm going to make cut files available to whomever might want them (I also have cut files available for the Spanish style plate jointer, similar to the LMI unit).

I love to see a kindred spirit tackle projects like this!

I think I like making the tools almost as much as the guitar build. It's fun to think about interesting ways to tackle certain parts of the construction.

It'd be great to have the files for the plate jointer!

Cheers, Michael

Brad, are you willing to share further information on your slat tensioning system?
I've seen a few, and of course really like the Taylor system, but would like something a little simpler.

I finally got around to putting together the parts of my new side bender design.
This is what I consider the best combination of features. it uses cantilevered presses like the LMI so that you can load/unload from the side, but it allows you to use either/both the LMI or Blues Creek type rollers on the forms. I also have a different cutaway press that allows for a quick-connect strap on the front, so that it balances the tension load on both the front and back sides... not sure if it is needed, but I allowed for it in the machining, just in case (I'll show pictures of that part when I've assembled the next bending machine - I'm making four).
This one has the cut outs for the LMI controller, which is what my buddies at PBG use, but for mine I'll have a different cutout to insert the heat controller and timer like BCG and others use.

My bender. I use the outside of the form on the cutaway! I pull the steel slats with cables at 250lbs of pressure with a pneumatic cylinder (11" of stroke), 125lbs on each slat. I pull straight down & then clamp the outer form on and make my second bend. Works great! I also enjoy welding!

That looks nice!
I would love to see more pictures of that bender - especially of the pneumatic arms. A real treat would be to see a video of it (even if not bending wood, maybe moving the pieces around in a demo).

I will, as soon as all the crazy Mardi Gras festivals stop after Fat Tuesday! New Orleans is really wild right now, just finishing up with the Super Bowl.

I've been there during Mardi Gras a couple of times (for trade shows... I wonder what's really on the organizers' minds). we tried to stay away from Bourbon Street, but the best 'gator tail' I've ever had was there, and have had some incredible crawdad feasts!

Looking forward to seeing more your neat little system!

Here is my Side Bender with a mold in it, as well as the waist and cutaway cauls installed.
I hope to be bending some sides next week!

Here is a picture of the upper frame of my bender. Basically the slat wraps around both sides of the cross bar (to form and loop). By applying air to the pneumatic cylinders the cross bar is pushed and creates tension on the slats. Based on the size of the cylinders the tension can be upwards of 250 lbs (125 lbs is plenty). Hope this helps.

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH

Any way you can show more pictures how this works? Looks interesting.

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH

I sure will Brad! Is soon as the Mardi Gras mambo stops on Tuesday!

Nice!

Rienk, what size extrusion are you using there?

Here is my parts list from McMaster Carr.

Part Number
47065T107 . . . Aluminum Inch T-slotted Framing System, Six-slot Double, 1"x2" Solid Extrusion, 4' Length
47065T155 . . . Aluminum Inch T-slotted Framing System, Concealed 90 Degree Connector, For 1" Extrusion
5096A14 . . . . . Press Screw, 9" Max Screw Length
91780A187 . . . Aluminum Female Threaded Hex Standoff, 1/4" Hex, 3/4" Length, 10-32 Screw Size
47065T92 . . . . Aluminum Inch T-slotted Framing System, Double End Cap, For 1" Extrusion
4296A57 . . . . . Impact-resistant Uhmw Polyethylene Sheet, Black, 1/2" Thick, 24" X 24"

Plus some 3/4" 10-32 screws, and a small piece of 15mm plywood for the base.
I would try a different plastic next time, as machining the UHMW on my router was a pain.
I would also switch to "round" standoffs.
You only need 12"x12" of plastic per bending press (one for waist, one for cutaway).

Hope this helps!

Yup, thanks! I have sources for reasonably price extrusion (CNC suppliers), although nobody on this side of the pond seems to have press screws for normal money. Axminster has some that might work but aren't ideal for retrofitting into this sort of thing. Have plenty of phenolic, so I'll use that for other bits.