Bending a 1/8" lacewood top?

[GuitarMaestro]

Hi!

This is the first time I install a bookmatched top that I have to bend over the forearm contour. What's the easiest method for a beginner? I only have a heating iron WITHOUT a steam function.....should I put the part I want to bend in hot water?

Thanks,

Marcel!

[tsl602000]

I think Scott Rosenberger wrote something about this... do a forum search

[canuckguitarist]

Its pinned at the top of this page... I think maestro needs an alternative way?

[Scott Rosenberger]

SLIGHTLY! Wet the wood first. then use the heat iron. the top is only 1/8 thick you may net even need water

[frank falbo]

If you can, get even pressure across the top part of that bend. (and the rest of the top if you can, for that matter) In other words, don't just clamp it from the side of the instrument. Lacewood has that hard "swiss cheese" skeleton with the softer bits in between. Any time you have a "multi-density" wood like Zebrawood or Lacewood you want to be sure the whole surface is tightly clamped, because those different sections can expand and contract differently from eachother over time, even though they are experiencing the same weather conditions.

[GuitarMaestro]

Thanks for the hints guys....I know Scott's tutorial very well and I know the different methods....I just would like to know which method you would recommend to a beginner in bending tops like me....

[Guest Litchfield Custom Gutars]

The steam iron is the easiest one I know. Thick pieces I soak in near boiling water then put pressure on them to get them flat.

[GuitarMaestro]

I realized that I remembered wrong....the top is actually 1/4" thick....does that change anything in the process?

[Scott Rosenberger]

I realized that I remembered wrong....the top is actually 1/4" thick....does that change anything in the process?

yeah, now you definately need to create humidity (water) to get it to bend