pauliemc Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 OK. So I just killed my bending iron. It was an old one I got from stewie mac god knows how long ago. Iv made irons for small radius bends using pipe & heating elements before But nothing realy decent, Nothing controlable. Anyway, I have some 3 inch stainless pipe, a heap of metal foil & a dimmer switch Just sitting in the workshop, so I figured I make something myself. Just gotta decide on a heating element. But before i start anything I was wondering if anybody has any plans, or what are we using for self made irons that are proven to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 A lot of guys swear by electric charcoal starters. I'd like to try that soon. Most of my bending gets done over the end of a clothes iron right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 Tyler shows his here: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/topic/47260-robbins-guitars-thread/ SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted April 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 charcoal starter ? never heard of one. I dont get to do a lot of bbq here, always raining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 looks like he may have just takend a waterheater element and put in a pipe full of water to make his bender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 charcoal starter ? never heard of one. I dont get to do a lot of bbq here, always raining. Just go over to OLF and search for the term "charcoal starter." http://luthiersforum.com/forum/search.php?keywords=charcoal+starter&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search Here's a good discussion: http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=38821&p=510203&hilit=charcoal+starter#p510203 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted April 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 Hmmm. Interesting. I might look into the charcoal starter. I have a big chunk of 4 inch diameter solid stainless bar, about 12 inch long. I might see if that will be of any use. Although I beleive it may be too much mass to heat & use effectivly. I have a solid 2 inch stainless bar aswell. No real heavy wall pipe, the stainless pipe I have only has a 2.5mm wall. So I was thinking of packing it with tin foil. rammed in with a bolster & hammer. & now the issue of my over thinking things rears its ugly head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 The idea of the water heater element in a water filled pipe is intriguing if only because of the even heating it would create. On the other hand getting it hot enough to be useful may create some fairly high pressure in the pipe. How hot do the pipes need to get to be useful? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 The idea of the water heater element in a water filled pipe is intriguing if only because of the even heating it would create. On the other hand getting it hot enough to be useful may create some fairly high pressure in the pipe. How hot do the pipes need to get to be useful? SR I agree. If anybody ever tries this one, I'd love to see the build documented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted April 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 I had taught about that. But I figured it would not generate enough heat. But then i have never tried it so I would not realy know. I do have a 600w element for the water in my steam box. I wonder If that might be of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workingman Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 For real tight bends, some mandolin and violin makers use hair curling irons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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