I've been building for nearly a year now, and have completed two "F" body mandolins, with three more currently under construction, Untill now, I have yet to assemble a rim set that didn't have some grain lifting to deal with, except for the most recent attempt. I've used a steam chamber, torch fired bending iron, and most recently an electric bending iron, (the later seems to work the best for me).
My question to the builders on here is, how many of you still have issues when bending your ribs? Do you start over with a new piece of stock or repair the lift? I'd appreciate any advice from anyone.
I also need to ask if any of you have used amonia in the water that you soak your ribs in prior to bending. I was given that "tip" from a wood supplier. I used wood from the same tree on two different rim sets. One I bent without soaking in amonia water, one with. Guess what,...the one soaked in amonia water was bent without any grain lift whatsoever,....first time for me! What I learned......the water used to soak the rim slats turned a tea consistancy, (brown), and after the wood dried, it was darker, but the grain seemed to stand out much nicer. I like the look!
Now, am I on the right track? is the amonia detremental to the wood?
any comments are welcome...thaks