Official Luthiers Forum!
https://luthiersforum.com/forum/

Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
https://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=44300		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Dave Lynn [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
Hi Folks

Several years ago I bought a couple of back and side sets alleged to be Tasmanian Blackwood. I have no reason to
doubt what they were touted to be. Does anyone have any experience with this wood. The pieces are nicely
figured. Have any of you guys ever bent Tasmanian Blackwood? I have to admit that I have almost
zero experience bending any kind of wood. I do have a bending blanket and metal slats but no temperature
control.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dave
Author:  CharlieT [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
I'm working on a build right now with Tasmanian blackwood. My set is probably not quite as figured as yours, but it's pretty close. I did something I never though I would do, which is bend one of the sides backward by mistake, ending up with 2 left sides. [headinwall] I dreaded the thought of rebending because I was just sure I would crack it, but I eventually went for it and it was fine. A piece of cake, in fact. I was left with the impression that it was a pretty forgiving wood. I can't promise your set will be, but that was my experience. FWIW, I was using a bending iron. Best of luck.
Author:  Dave Lynn [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
Thanks Charlie. Do you know what thickness your sides are?

Chances are we both got these sets at the same time from the same source. I am assuming
you are also in Colorado.
Author:  DannyV [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
Never bent a set but I would like to. Could you tell me where you got that. Beautiful!

Thanks,
Danny
Author:  CharlieT [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
If I remember correctly the sides are about .085". I can check tomorrow and let you know for sure. My set came from an Australian seller on eBay 4 - 5 years ago. Where did you get yours?

BTW, I'm in Utah.
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
wow that is some really nice wood
Author:  meddlingfool [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
Lovely.

Generally Blackwood is a trouble free bend, especially if you have a blanket system. .085 should be fine.

Do you have a thermometer? Start waist bend at 270, then do lower bout, upper bout at 320 but not too much higher I'd think.
Author:  giltzow [ Tue Oct 07, 2014 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
Hi Dave
I think I bought wood from the same seller you did on ebay a few years ago. I have built 4 guitars with it and have had no problems bending it. I use Super Soft II on all my figured woods now but didn't use it on the Tasmanian Blackwood. I thin to 0.085" - 0.080". Using a fox bender with spring steel slats. I start at 240 degrees F and finish at about 310 degrees F. I have a temp controller now but didn't have when I bent the Blackwood. It does tend to stain from contact with the steel slats so be sure to wrap the wood in craft paper. I also wrap my spring steel slats in aluminum foil. - mdg
Author:  Dave Lynn [ Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
Hi all

I did not get my sets off eBay. One of the guys in our local luthiers group (coloradoluthiers.org)
put together a group buy which I participated in. I hate to admit it but I don't remember who it was.
Thanks to all who replied. The side pieces are currently at about .11 thickness so I'll have to work
on that. I guess I should also look into temperature control. Thanks for the heads up on the
staining issue with steel slats.

Dave
Author:  Don Williams [ Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending Tasmanian Blackwood
Scorches easily if you bend on a pipe, so go slow and keep the wood moving.
Try to stick to a blanket if you can.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/