Home » By Sound Salon, Lessons, Luthier » Bend Binding
keywords: bend, bending, bent, bender, iron, mold, heat, hot, bind, binding, bound, purfle, purfling, veneer, guitar, guitars, maker, guitarmaker, luthier, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Start by taping your prepared binding strips together. Tape as many strips as you need, or feel comfortable bending.
The strips should be oriented in pairs, with their purfling strips touching. This will insure that you have strips for both the top and back of your guitar.
Mark the end joints and waist of your shape. You can make a tape template using your mold or guitar. Attach the tape template to the edge of your bench or another piece of tape for future use.
Set up your bending iron, and bring it up to the desired temperature. I have no idea what temperature that is, but it is hot. Water should bead and bounce off the pipe when its hot enough.
Wet both sides of the area you wish to bend. Use water in moderation, as too much can cause the purfling to delaminate.
Start bending in a rocking and/or sliding motion. It is important to keep the strips moving. This will keep the binding from burning, the purfling from distorting, and bumps from forming. (Note: while not necessary to use a calculator watch, it does makes a fine addition to a guitarmakers arsenal)
Add water to new areas as you bend.
When you get to the waist, center your registration mark on the hot iron.
Using a slow rocking motion bend the waist area, heating the side thoroughly.
Check the bend on your mold or guitar.
Make adjustments as needed. The binding waist should be bent slightly more than that of the guitar.
Once it fits, allow the waist area to cool.
Some woods will have a tendency to crack and/or splinter. These areas can be glued and cleaned up after the bending is complete.
Continue bending the rest of the shape.
The binding does not have to be bent to the guitar shape exactly. The thin strips will conform to the shape when you glue them on, as long as all of your bends are graceful, and without bumps or flat spots.§
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