Sooo, I have "corrected" my mistake. The sides don't look as good as I had them bent originally. The process of bending them back 'inverted' to what they were originally is NOT a fun one, I got the impression the wood didn't like it, it initially felt much more likely that the wood would burn, so I added a bit more water, then it felt like the wood was going to rip or tear, the sides seemed to ripple much easier, it twisted far too easily and I had to use a wooden backing board just to reduce the grain ripping out and to keep the sides reasonably flat.
I then ended up not being able to invert the cutaway fully very well and I felt I was going to damage it but it felt very pliable so I went with the option that seemed to work but you are all going to tell me isn't the best idea of just clamping it tightly to the mould shape and forcing it to the shape and leaving it be, i'm expecting it will spring back somewhat if/when I unclamp it on monday, but hopefully not too much. I may even leave it until tuesday if theres any chance that might help.
Its a shame because the wood looks(ed) amazing.
I thought I was going to be fairly happy bending with the bending iron, but this has annoyed me so much i'm about 92% sure i'll have to either buy or build an actual side bender for any further projects. its still possible to make the same mistake, but i think its a reduced chance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by charles Tauber
Naw, you're not the first person in history to bend two of the same side or two of the same bindings.
Wet the wood, and unbend it on your iron. Get it as flat as you can, then simply bend it in the correct direction.
It'll come out fine.
Stuff happens, we fix it. Carry on.
In future, remember to label each flat side as "left" and "right" or "bass" and "treble". Ditto for bindings with purfling attached.
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Actually I had them labelled. The problem was that I have TOP written on each piece of the mould. Unfortunately when you precut the sides to a profile, you have a flat side, that needs to be down and on the table to make sure it all comes out level. That means the moulds have to be upside down during bending, something I didn't clock until afterwards.
Also, it wasn't just one piece, it was BOTH.
Quote:
Originally Posted by redir
Yeah that's actually a common mistake to make. I've come real close to doing it myself, knock on wood.
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I really, really don't recommend making this mistake.
Heres a picture of the sides wet, showing their figure, complete with burn mark that wouldn't come off. Luckily its on the inside....
Untitled by
David Emm, on Flickr
Picture of the other side
Untitled by
David Emm, on Flickr