So I'm flicking through the axminster catalogue and thinking to myself, I could really do with a thickness sander...then I saw the price! 1500 quid!! After picking myself up off the floor I got to thinking, dangerous I know, I bet I could make one of those, how hard can it be? Turns out it's not very hard at all! Total cost about 130 quid, plus I've learned something new, got a great new tool that isn't too big for my little workshop, and I can start to build an acoustic at last! I'm going to have a crack at making a bending iron for that, should be interesting! It's not that I'm tight or anything, it's just...well yeah, I am a bit tight 😁
Hi Mick,
I’m also a mug for making my own tools and machines. Can’t help it, maybe I can seek treatment on the NHS!
I have a list of bits on a previous post about making a Maccaferri pliage press that would be useful in making a bending iron (heater cartridge, thermocouple, temp control unit) but I can promise that you won’t save money over the cost of the one that Mark sells though, but that isn’t actually the point is it?
I’d love to see pics of your sander.
Cheers
Darren
@darrenking I'll take some pics when I've built a stand for it in a few days. I know what you mean and you're right, it isn't always about the money. I've always been a "I bet i can make one of those" kinda guys. The bending iron will be mega simple..a 100w bulb and a metal pipe kinda simple. I know temp control will be a problem with that set up, and if it doesn't work I'll try another way, but I'm having fun tinkering..
Mick
Hi Mick,
The 100w bulb might theoretically get the pipe hot enough to bend wood but the problem will be how quickly it cools down once you put a full width 2mm-2.5mm thick guitar side against it. You and your bending iron will be spending an awful lot of time together if you only have the secondary heat output of a 100w bulb to play with (a lot of the 100w is put out as light). Have fun though and please practice with the cheapest sides you can find! Lol!
Darren
I've always been a "I bet i can make one of those" kinda guys.
I like your ethos Mick, I've always been a bit like that too, I guess that's why I had to build a guitar. My first one is almost finished and I'll obviously have to attempt an acoustic sometime, so I'll be watching for progess with your bending iron with interest.