Bending Sides

I started by sanding the side wood down to just above 2mm...or approx. .080.     Then, traced the side profile template onto the wood adding about 1/4 in. in all directions (even more at the neck and tail block locations).

I mark the waist area or tightest portion of the curve so I can index this in the side bending machine.

 

The Fox side bender is just a primitive clamping device designed by a luthier named Charles Fox that lets you bend sides around a form and clamp them until the curve sets... It consist or a center clamp, a sandwich of metal slats, side wood, and another metal slat,  a form in the shape of the guitar you're building and a way to heat everything up to bending temperature.  In the past I've used 3 - 100 watt light bulbs built into the base of the bender,  but on this one,  I have access to a silicone heating blanket with a temp setting and timer.

After the sides are the correct thickness,  I start by prebending the waist area on a hot pipe to help that area get a head start with bending in the bending machine.   Next, I'll use a spray bottle to wet the side wood with water and wrap the side in a piece of paper.  The paper helps hold the water in and keeps the wood from getting stained or scorched. 

Once the metal slats are added on either side of the wood, the heating blancket gets added under the whole sandwich and all of this is slid into the bender and the center/waist block is snugged down.   The blanket gets turned on for about 5 minutes on the timer.  It heats up quickly and within a minute or so,  the center clamp can be tightened a little more.  At this time, both ends of the sides can start to be bent around.

When the water in the wood starts to steam,  the ends of the side can be pulled down and the front and back clamp can be added and tightened.  

Finally, the center clamp can be tighetened down and seated, and the entire side cooks for about another 10 minutes then gets left to cool for several hours.