Thread: High Quality Plywood

You would want to ask for "Appearance Grade" or "S2S" or simply "S Grade".

Try google


Al

By "Side Bender" do you mean "form"?

Birch is generally considered to be THE high quality ply, try emailing Marine Timbers in Melbourne http://www.marinetimbers.com.au/ ~ Aircraft grade, it's a tad expensive but all the veneers go all the way through!

I know the books say don't use MDF, but I have, and sealed it with Shellac. It may not last as long, but it was cheap! (free).

Cheers,

P

Originally Posted by ozwinner

Try google


Al

Thanks Al....didnt think of that.

Thanks chaps....the birch ply sounds like the stuff.

Cheers Martin

Have a look for concrete formwork ply - hardwood veneer, its got 2 good sides & solid veneers thru the middle. It usually has a resin bonded coating on the outside to stop the concrete from sticking & water froim leaking thru'. Plus it is easier to get & a good bit cheaper than aircraft ply. The only problem might be getting it in 12-13mm - I used to buy 20mm.

Sometimes you can get 'uncertified' birch ply too. Or look for 'Hoop Pine' ply - Brims are a major supplier.

How good does it need to be? Australian Hoop Pine Marine ply is readily available(good for 72 hrs immersion in boiling water, 2 good faces and no voids in any of the plys) Oh, they market it as "Arakaria" ply, BTW, no mention of the word "pine"

Mick

What about laminating some 3mm luan ply... only 16buckaroonies per standard sheet from Handypine or check out PLY MARINE 12MM 8X4 HOOP-PINE 2400X1200 MIX S there as well... only $130 a sheet!

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

How good does it need to be? Australian Hoop Pine Marine ply is readily available(good for 72 hrs immersion in boiling water, 2 good faces and no voids in any of the plys) Oh, they market it as "Arakaria" ply, BTW, no mention of the word "pine"

Mick

Mick,

The side bender has 2 x 100 and 1 x 150 watt light bulbs inside providing the heat for bending. Will also alternately use heating blankets to heat the sides. There'll be a bit ofmoisture involved but the frame of the bender wont get much water on it..only the mold that slips into same.

Cheers Martin

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

By "Side Bender" do you mean "form"?

Birch is generally considered to be THE high quality ply, try emailing Marine Timbers in Melbourne http://www.marinetimbers.com.au/ ~ Aircraft grade, it's a tad expensive but all the veneers go all the way through!

I know the books say don't use MDF, but I have, and sealed it with Shellac. It may not last as long, but it was cheap! (free).

Cheers,

P

Midge,

Yes a bending form. The one Im building is out of Jim Williams' book and its based on the Fox side bender marketed by LMI.

Do you use tension springs on your bender? If so could I ask where you sourced them from?

Cheers Martin

I wouldn't worry about high quality stuff unless you want it to look pretty. I just used whatever was kicking 'round the shed for my fox bender - 20mm stuff with knots in it (D/D grade?). I didn't have the Williams book when I built mine, just a picture off the web that someone took of their plans from LMI, so I didn't know any better. Works fine. Doesn't matter what you use as long as it can take a bit of heat.

Mine sure doesn't look all that pretty but it bloody well works!

Originally Posted by kiwigeo

Do you use tension springs on your bender? If so could I ask where you sourced them from?

No, I don't have a guitar bender, but do have a form for a mando, no springs, just timber cams... a different bit of gear. I use(! - well have once - another on the great incomplete pile!) a bit of copper pipe and a light bulb for heat similar to this setup: http://www.billsbest.com/thsidebender.html

Check this link for another home built take on the Fox Bender I think using wingnuts instead of springs? : http://www.ukuleles.com/BuildingHowTo/sidebend.html

Cheers,

P

Originally Posted by Paul B

I wouldn't worry about high quality stuff unless you want it to look pretty. I just used whatever was kicking 'round the shed for my fox bender - 20mm stuff with knots in it (D/D grade?). I didn't have the Williams book when I built mine, just a picture off the web that someone took of their plans from LMI, so I didn't know any better. Works fine. Doesn't matter what you use as long as it can take a bit of heat.

Mine sure doesn't look all that pretty but it bloody well works!

Thanks for the info Paul,

Unfortunately Im just as a*al about appearances building jigs as I am when building my guitars!! A totally a*nal luthier in all respects.

Ive got handy Pine sourcing some Birch marine Ply which will do the job.

Cheers Martin

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

No, I don't have a guitar bender, but do have a form for a mando, no springs, just timber cams... a different bit of gear. I use(! - well have once - another on the great incomplete pile!) a bit of copper pipe and a light bulb for heat similar to this setup: http://www.billsbest.com/thsidebender.html

Check this link for another home built take on the Fox Bender I think using wingnuts instead of springs? : http://www.ukuleles.com/BuildingHowTo/sidebend.html

Cheers,

P

Thanks for the URLs Midge...will check them out. Seems there are a hundred variations on the Fox bender.....some people dont like cettain aspects of the original machine and make improvements.

Will post some pics of my bender when its finished. Back out to the workshop to finish up some workboards and then down to MIK to spend my tax refund....bandsaw and drill press to buy.

Cheers Martin