side bending - big problem
Ok, so last night I got home from work and had a go at bending the sides. I let the iron go up to around 220 degrees, sprayed some water each side and proceeded to work on the curves. This stuff won't bend!! I patiently managed to get the lower bout done in around an hour each side, then had a go at the waist. I got barely enough of a curve to suit a dreadnaught let alone a jumbo. I reckon I tried the waist on one for close to an hour - it has cracked in places and developed a couple of nice splits as well. no scorching though even given the high temp. I think these will have to be scrapped and after working on them for so long, there is just no "give" in the timber at all now. so, Do I try to use this same timber with a different method or choose something different? I have a cole clark with different back and sides and it looks ok but I really had liked the look of this aussie rosewood. Feeling very deflated. anyone got a suggestion?