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I was trying to bend some Peruvian Walnut to use as a binding. However, it did not seem to want to bend. It would get to the point of burning and eventually would make a cracking sound where I was attempting to bend it. Is this stuff difficult to bend? I've bent EI rosewood before and I don't remember it being nearly this difficult. Is there a trick to the grain direction perhaps?

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"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

Are you bending on a pipe or by machine? How thick is your binding?

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Josh House

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Ive only tried to use it for back/side wood once...and I had the exact same issue. It just wouldnt bend. I might make a bit of progress, but then it would just snap. Im not sure why. I was bending on a pipe.

wrap it in tin foil - so the it retains the moisture and helps you - also use a bending slat or make a bending slat - even if you are using a pipe - that will help. As suggested by Josh - thickness is also important, just as important as having spares to practice on.

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

Use fabric softener...should make a huge difference. Here is how I do it...Use a spare pint glass and fill it about 1/3 full fabric softener and 2/3 water. Mix it up good. Use a rag to liberally coat the wood...let it soak in real good then coat it again and start bending. In general the rosewoods will bend easier than walnut/mahogany and associated woods.

It also helps to tape all 4 together and bend it as one unit rather than one at a time. Not only you save lots of time you also avoid a lot of breakage. I was able to bend curly maple in this manner without breaking them.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

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I'm using a pipe. So, curly maple is difficult to bend as well? Great... That was plan B.

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"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

What is a bending slat?

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"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

My experience with bending Peruvian walnut was...
It bends pretty darned easy....

but - I use a side bender machine with a heat blanket sort of setup....

My best luck with Peruvian was to err on the side of more damp rather than less damp...

As usual... YMMV...

Thanks

I wrapped the bindings in tin foil and that worked much better. It kept the moisture in and kept it from burning. I read after the fact that wrapping it in 2 pieces of foil rather than folding one piece tends to keep the tighter curves round instead of having kinks. Guess I'll try that next time.

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"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

Spare pint glass??????? Some people say the strangest things.......

That's what I'm thinking right now.

Huh?

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"I'm not going to say that perfection has never been achieved. However, if it has, it probably went unnoticed due to it's lack of character."

Lol...ok, in between beers, use your pint glass