MIMF

I have gone through trials, tribulations, and more than a few sticks of purpleheart trying to bend a-335 shape. I have built a Fox-style bender (with a blanket, not bulbs), and have used a heating iron. The PH alwaya cracked on the upper horns in the bender, and I could not get the bend tight enough with an iron without serious scorching. The PH is 0.08 inches thick and 1-1/2 inches wide. I have this feeling the inside of the PH is not getting the steam to loosen up the fibers.

Has any one soaked PH for hours (or overnight) before bending? Would a steambox be better, like 2 hours of steam before trying? Should I give up on a solid side and laminate it like Gibson does? (Not sure what the thicknesses would be.) i could laminate a PH veneer over an easier bend-able wood like maple or mahogany.

Any thoughts gratefully appreciated. I am itching to carve the top but need sides first.

Laminate it with 5 layers of standard veneer with purple heart on the show side. An additional benefit will be a very strong and stable side with no spring back.

Thank you. I have not worked with venner on curved surfaces before, nor with multiple layers. I was not expecting an answer with a "5" in it. Do I line up all five layers in the Fox bender? Soak them on the form one at a time? I can't imagine these going on a pipe, due to their thinness.

it would be stronger to have perpendicular grain on one or two of the layers. Since it would be cost-prohibitive to have a 3 foot wide veneer (grain going length-wise), would i just butt joint the veneer in those layers?

I appreciate the assistance.

Greg

I do not pre-bend the veneer. It is flexible enough to bend cold during the lamination process. I have not found it necessary to install a cross grain layer. It would make it stronger, but I think it disrupts the acoustic properties. But keep in mind I am more of an acoustic builder than electric. You could certainly butt joint veneer to get a long cross grain strip. To do that, use the paper veneer tape that David mentioned.

The most challenging part of laminating sides is getting them clamped adequately. You can't have too many clamps. And you need to design a side laminating form that accomodates the clamps. I usually have a layer of stainless steel sheeting that goes on top of the veneer to spread the clamping load.

If you take the purpleheart down to 0.05"-0.06" thickness you should be able get it to bend. Thinning make a lot of difference, and since they're only 1 1/2" deep, strength shouldn't be an issue. Supersoft has also been recommended here, I've never used it.

I haven't tried a 335 shape, but did build a Flying V shape. Ended up hand-bending 2 layers of maple slats about 1/16" thick, then laminating them together in a form with both inside and outside profiles and a shade over 1/8" offset. It's the only time that I've found poly glue to be useful for guitars. Since it's not a 335 shape and not purpleheart, this may not be useful information, but it wouldn't be the first time I've done that.