NK Forster Guitars Making a Guitar - bending sides

[mqmqmwmw]

this guy looks like a psycho!

[1996PhYcOmExIcAn]

hey can u use a reguler iron

[fairbanksave]

Do you soak the wood first or just spray it with water?

David

[Mikyz12]

How much of the bend is lost in the cooling of the wood?

[XribbleQuebec]

Very nice work!

Some soak in warm water for 5 mins others (for production) soak in boiling water for 45 seconds.

The main idea is to get it wet so the lignin holding the cellulose flexes instead of breaking and of course to avoid burning the wood.

Peace!

[Nkforster]

I never knew it was so complicated!

[Belzanazza]

hey how much would the bending machine cost? is there anyother ways of bending the wood?

[luthierboy]

I made my bender using a 1' section of 3" pipe, the heating element from a goodwill waffle iron, a dimmer switch, and some steel square stock I bent into legs. Total cost: less than $10.00. That was 27 instruments ago

[Jazzwayze]

Hi NK,

Why do luthiers take a sharp intake of breath, when you ask about left-handed guitars? Surely there's no more work involved making a l/h than a r/h. (I understand the problem with mass production or a conversion.) Looking at the press you are using that would surey be the mould you'd use for any guitar you made, left or right. Depends on which side you put the back or front. So is there any extra work involved in making a l/h from scratch?

Regards John

[mrpresidentclinton]

i want to get started on my own guitar, i was wondering if the only way to bend wood is heating it. is there some other way to bend the sides without all the "pro" tools????

[RaidingWindmills]

Amazing! I just play the guitar. Never knew that this much effort went into making one.

[gguitarwilly]

Hi there,

I'm watching your video in kind of bitter amazement. It just took me three ours to bend one (!) side of 2,5 mm mahogany, and it still isn't right! what I don't get is that it's dry in 5 minutes, so I had to remoisten it, which I don't see you do. should I leave the side dry, so as not to cool down the bending iron? I have the kinkade and the cumpiano book, but they don't say anything about that. Still have to do the other side....

iron was hot enough, I tested it with drops of water.

[Nkforster]

Now if you go through the clip again you will hear me answer your questions. Practice on scrap - mahogany is very easy to bend but when it snaps it does very quickly due to short grain, and because of the colour it is often difficult to repair invisibly. Watch the other side bending clips I have posted as you will see what I do from a better angle. Basically you heat the wood on the broad part of the iron then move over to the curved part to bend it. Simple.

[gguitarwilly]

Hi, thanks for answering. I was a bit too quick asking questions, as I found out after i reviewed the clip as my frustration cooled down. I'm sure the next side will take only one hour!

[pdpluthier]

Do you soak the wood in cold or hot water? If so, for how long? Thanks.

[Nkforster]

You can if you want. Experiment.

[globule200]

Awsomeee ! Really beautiful art ! Magicaaal ! I hope I'll be able to make my own flamenco guitar ...

[oldpython]

I've seen a few of your instruments and I am very impressed.

[tremendousOt]

this is great!

where do you get the bender thang?

[Nkforster]

This is the best bender on the market, it is made by English Violin maker, David Stoddard. Email me if you want his contact details.

[Spritebug]

Hi there. How much are the bending irons? Ive seen one for sale on Ebay but id rather take your word on david stoddards is the best. If you can give me some details i would be most grateful. Cheers.

[brundontfreeze000]

you can make you're own... lol some person uses some kind of stainless steel and a blow torch and heats it and then bends the sides

[austinhayward]

What is the precise thickness that you use to make bending this easy?

[Nkforster]

My sides are 1.9mm, though 2.2 is common. Some makers are now laminating sides to around 4mm. So there are many different approaches.

[Nkforster]

And it is only that easy 'cos I have bent hundreds of sides.

[austinhayward]

Thank you very much! One more thing - I have the exact same bending iron. What temperature / setting do you have your iron set to for optimal bending?

[Nkforster]

Mine is set around 240.

[austinhayward]

The dial on mine doesn't have a temperature reading. Only "High......Low". I have no idea where 240 would be on the dial.

[Nkforster]

Perhaps it isn't the same model. Mine is made by English Violin maker David Stoddard. Anyway, you need the bender to be hot enough to bend the wood without excessive scorching or burning. Practice on scrap, and think for yourself.

[anderhenrique]

nice man!

it's art!!

[hafizshapiee]

hi, I live in Malaysia and i like the way u make the guitars.can i use Malaysia local woods to make it???

[Nkforster]

yep

[barriomodelo]

There are music in every curve, thanks, it was great!

[mkiese]

That's pretty cool, thanks for sending the friend link!

How do you know what length of wood to use for the siding? Like, how do you measure it? What happens if you use too short of a piece and the ends don't reach each other?

[Nkforster]

Measure using a cloth tape like you find in a sewing kit. The sides don't have to reach each other. If it is on the short side, you can expand the wedge in the tailblock join or under the neck heel joint.

[hafizshapiee]

I live in Malaysia, i like the way u make the guitars,can i use Malaysia local woods to make a guitars???

[TheAdamGray]

Fantastic Mate. The email arrived, I logged-on. I was amazed.

You are a very talented young man!