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Getting ready to try my hand at bending and installing LMI herringbone purfling for the first time. I'm not ashamed to admit that it is a scary thought. The idea of bending something like that on edge seems like a prescription for disaster! Unlike binding where, if things go wrong one can simply make some more, I have to get it right the first time. What says the collective wisdom out there? Any suggestions would be gratefully accepted.

Have you tried a dry run around your channel? I've used herringbone from LMI, Stew Mac, and Bluescreek and it bends easily

Here's a procedure that works well:

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Similar to the above. Works well.

http://kennedyguitars.com/bending-herringbone.html

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Pete: Lots of different opinions out there re: herringbone purfling. Some folks says they don't pre-bend but that has always made me pucker a bit on my back side for fear of breakage during installation. Others say they can't wet herringbone because it falls apart. I've used LMI's both the fine and course grain and run it under hot water a while before bending and have not had any problems with delamination. I use a combination of Ken's and Terence's methods.
A form like Terence and brads like Ken with a thin pine caul to help prevent any marking from the brads. A hair dryer or heat gun also helps if you are having trouble fitting to the form. Good luck and take care.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

make it easy
if you are bending the side just tape it to it. If you use the bender alone put some binding between the herringbone and tape it.
if your doing a dred run it under hot water and tape it to the guitar let set over night. Don't over think it. it isn't that hard.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I use a clothes iron to soften the purfling on the bench. Then fit it right onto the guitar body with lots of tape. It doesn't take much heat to make it bend so be careful