Bending binding

[Sitka]

What is a good way to bend binding close to the final shape? I've been trying to bend a piece for a pickguard that I am making, but I always end up with gaps. The gaps will close with a fair amount of pressure, but the spring strength of the binding is more than the holding strength of the glue.

Thanks for the help,
Micah

[amowry]

Micah, if your pickguard material is ebony or something that won't be harmed by a little heat, you can heat the binding with a heat gun while holding or taping it in place. I start at one end of the pickguard, heat the end of the binding, immediately hold it in place to cool, then tape that end in place work and my way around the pickguard, taping each section down once it's bent to the right shape. After it's all bent and taped down, I'll put a drop of thin CA between each piece of tape, then remove the tape and glue the rest. I think the main trick is getting the binding good and floppy (without catching it on fire) and holding it in place quickly, so it takes the shape accurately.

[sunburst]

I used to do it in a similar way to Andrew, but I let it cool then glued it with Duco. The Duco softens the binding enough to let it conform to the piece even closer if it's not perfect after the heat.
Now, I use only gentle heat, or none at all, and bend the bindings with jewelers tools, mostly "ring pliers".

[Doug Edwards]

After I pre-bend the binding close to the desired shape, I'll brush some Acetone on the binding portion prior to glueing. A little seems help soften the surface of the binding and make it fill the gaps better. CA works the best for sticking to the hard curves.

[buddyellis]

I've been using a pot full of rock salt kept on about '3' on my 'lectric stove, which you can shove sticks of binding in keeping them the perfect temperature for bending. Don't get your stove too hot, the #### rapidly burst into flames and you'll have to explain to your significant other why there is burned rock salt all over her kitchen (In use the salt turns kinda brownish after a while). I should try and find some tiny glass beads. I remember seeing the eye glass folks do this when I was a kid (with the glass beads)

Anyway, my point I guess is, get that stuff where its like a spaghetti noodle, and prebend around a form or the object. Overbend tight corners slightly, glue one side before you go around a corner, let it set up, then you can pull the other end tight to close the corner, tape it up, and wick in CA.