BENDING THE RIBS
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picture
The ribs are made from Maple 4mm
thick and bent using heat. Some luthiers recommend soaking the wood before
bending but I have found that this is not necessary if the wood is
wetted with a paint brush dipped in water as it is heated on the bending
iron.
Care and "feel" must be exercised
when bending so that the wood does not split. The bent wood is offered
up to the mould frequently until the correct shape is obtained.
The bending iron I use has been
made from a section of 100mm cast iron gutter mounted on angle iron supports
and cramped to the bench. It is heated by two camping gas cylinders which
allow for control of the heat. Care must be taken not to scorch the wood.
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