Heat Bending Pictorial... [Archive]

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:12pm

Had a chance to play photographer with the new digital camera. Figured I'd try to put together a photo essay on my bending system. Some folks seemed to have some doubts....so as they say...the proof is in the pudding. Hope these pics are correct size. Still trying to figure editting process!
Here's the 'System'
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040003.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:14pm

Solid form waiting for action....
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040002.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:17pm

Making a "sandwich"....here's the ingredients....
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040004.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:18pm

Next.....
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040006.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:19pm

Wrap nicely......
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040007.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:21pm

Slats on both sides.....mark index points
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040008.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:22pm

Cover with blanket....
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040009.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:27pm

I use a poor man's approach....hand pressure (with welding gloves!) and then simple bar clamps. Bring the waist in, then over the humps....
With this system, heat is immediate, constant,and even over entire side.
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040012.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:30pm

I use cycles of heat/cool/heat/cool ....the results are nothing short of amazing. Your forms better be right....the side will be an exact copy!
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7040015.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:32pm

That was the easy side....NOW for the CUTOUT!!!!!! #
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7050017.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:35pm

How's THAT for pretty? Talk about tight curves.....I just LOVE tight curves!
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7050019.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:36pm

A close view....look ma, no cracks!
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7050020.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:39pm

Just to show nothing's up my sleeve......it really IS tight! This is a mando.....no guitar sized cutaway.
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7050025.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:41pm

And to close this essay....pudding is served!!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mandomaniac/Heat%20Bending%20System/P7050022.jpg

mandomaniac

Jul-05-2004, 3:44pm

Holler if you have questions....
There's another thread on this system buried a couple pages back. Also info in the Classified section (thanks Scott!) Sure does WORK!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Tom

Chris Baird

Jul-05-2004, 7:26pm

Tom,
Thanks for the pics, it helps to see it. Do you ever have trouble with figured maple?

folms

Jul-05-2004, 10:03pm

Thanks for the pics Tom,by the way,got my setup the other day, haven't had time to bend anything yet,but plugged it in the timer flipped the switch and "Hot City", I know its gonna work just super. Thanks a bunch....

mandomaniac

Jul-07-2004, 5:53am

Chris....
It makes the sections of an F5 in curly maple bend like magic. In the photos, it's curly walnut. The cutaway is FAR tighter than F5 scroll.

Bill James

Jul-07-2004, 8:09am

Very nice.

Whats that under the bench? Mack solenoid valve, PVC cyls, gage, etc. Gotta know. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

mandomaniac

Jul-07-2004, 9:13am

Bill.....you're supposed to be paying attention to the bending!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif You get to stay after school!
Your sharp eye caught my handy-dandy shop made vacuum clamping/press system. Just as slick as the bending system.
BTW... no "bet it really sucks" jokes!
Told you I was an amateur photographer...need to learn to crop my pics!

Bill James

Jul-07-2004, 9:44am

Please don't crop! I love looking at other shop stuff in the background of images.

By the way, you have a lathe with a 3 jaw. NO FAIR! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

mandomaniac

Jul-07-2004, 11:58am

You missed the end mill/drill ! And here I thought you had a sharp eye. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif