Thread: Guitar side bending iron

Can't help you, but...

Casting the Aluminium is the easy part however to get the shape you desire, you would need a die. The die is the most expensive part and in most instances, you'd be looking at a 5 figure sum. You'd have to make and sell a whole lot of parts before you even recoup your die costs.

Maybe this could be done a better way?

-Scott

Wal,
I am sure someone will be along to help you out.
Scott
Casting is done at home all the time in cheap sand molds.

Dave

Hi Wal,

I'd be happy to help out, no charge. Send me a PM with the details of the part you want.

Regards
Ray

PS

Originally Posted by Scott

Casting the Aluminium is the easy part however to get the shape you desire, you would need a die. The die is the most expensive part and in most instances, you'd be looking at a 5 figure sum. You'd have to make and sell a whole lot of parts before you even recoup your die costs.

Hi Scott,
You are probably thinking of die cast aluminium, and yes dies are expensive.
There are lots of other ways to cast aluminium, from sand casting, to lost foam, investment casting and so on..

Regards
Ray

Ah, thanks Dave and Ray, my bad. Been 18 years since I've been in the industry.

Have I missed something here, what on earth is guitar side bending iron?

A picture or dwg would come in handy.

Ken

Hi,
Its would appear that its a water steam ,heat powered "horn" for the bending of the guitar ( "ply" I know is not the right description of the material.)

The material is bent over the piece of equipment.

Theres a pic if you Google but not sure how to do it myself as I am now driving a new Imac an every bloody thing is different.

Grahame

Originally Posted by neksmerj

Have I missed something here, what on earth is guitar side bending iron?

A picture or dwg would come in handy.

Ken

Google is your friend , but to shed some light on the subject, it is a length of solid aluminium of a particular shape that has a hole bored up the centre of it where an electric heating cartridge is inserted. The iron heats up, you spray some water on some veneer and use the hot iron to bend the veneer.

The metal part on the photo is what I need cast.

These type of irons are expensive and aren't all that good because they're hollow with about a 3mm wall thickness, so they loose the heat too quickly.

I hope this explanation helps.

kindest regards

Wal

Wal,
I assume you want a piece that looks like the pdf?
If you want one like in the photo why not just machine from solid?

Stuart

If Ray would get his mill finished he could machine the one in the pdf from solid. That would be an interesting tool path

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Wal,
I assume you want a piece that looks like the pdf?
If you want one like in the photo why not just machine from solid?

Stuart

If Ray would get his mill finished he could machine the one in the pdf from solid. That would be an interesting tool path

Hi stuart, the pdf is just a guide, I haven't decided on the final shape yet.

As for using solid, well I did consider that some time back but the depth of the iron needs to be around 100-120mm and I haven't been able to source solid flat that size locally and solid round that size by 200-250 long costs about $50- and then I'd need to shape it, cut it, rout it, chamfer it, sand it, drill it oh what a pain .

Having said all that, perhaps I just don't know where to look for the stuff I need but Ray has kindly offered to help so I'll drop him a line and discuss it.

regards

Wal