What do I need all for a bending machine?

Qestion:

I am I’d like to purchase a side bending machine. I see that I need more than the machine to bend sides, but also things like heat mats, a temperature controller, springs, etc.

How can I know all the things I need so I will be able to bend sides? Are there instructions on how these things work together? Would everything I need be available in a single kit and at a better price if purchased together?
 

Answer:

thanks for your request.

Bending with the bending press consists of the actual bending frame (press with spindle), a mold, a heating mat, which is covered at the top and bottom with a bending slat made of spring-hard stainless steel. The heating mat itself must be regulated via a control system in order to achieve the correct bending temperature (approx. 125-135°C). A sensor is also required for this.

• Bending machine (optional with Cutaway Jig)

19180001 Ralls Universal Bending Machine 6" - Standard Kit

19180002 Ralls Universal Bending machine 6" - Cutaway Kit

 

• Bending pattern(en)

Category with bending patterns (LINK)

 

• Heat mats

Category for heat mats (LINK)

 

• Bending slats

Category for bending slats (LINK)

 

• Controller

Category for controllers (LINK)

 

• Sensor

19170040 Kapton Miniature Sensor for PID Temperature-Controllers HC

 

The width of the heating mat depends on the type of guitar. Concert guitars are usually 100 mm wide, others 145 mm. The same width is then used for bending plates.

A plug is required for each heating mat. One plug is included with the controller.

The controller also comes with an instruction manual, which also contains step-by-step instructions for the bending process.

In case you are from the USA:

As you have a different mains voltage (110V) to us, our electrical equipment does not work there. This is another reason why we do not sell it to the USA.

The wooden parts etc. are no problem at all, but we do not supply the controller and the heating mat.

 

In my early days, I also tried to build effective devices with as few resources as possible. One of these was my Foxbender, which was still operated with three 200W bulbs. There is also an article about this here. However, if you want to build your own bending press, you can find a very detailed construction plan in the “Ho-To / Blueprints” section.

• Blueprint:

18010004 Blueprint - Universal Side Bending Machine - Fox Bender (LINK)

• DIY Parts

Category with parts for the DIY Bending Machine (LINK)

In professional and ambitious semi-professional guitar making, such a bending device is a great leap forward in terms of quality and increased efficiency. Bending lines are permanently accurate. Surfaces are flat and without creases, burn marks caused by a bending iron that is too hot are a thing of the past, really difficult woods such as ebony or decorative woods such as figured maple are much easier to bend. Purflings can be bent at the same time...

If you add to this the time saved for each pair of sides, it quickly becomes clear that it is worth the investment. We manufacture many parts for the Bender ourselves on our machines and only use high-quality components that are designed to last. If anyone still thinks that you can do it cheaper and more accurately yourself, please feel free to apply here after you have achieved it. So to the question of whether buying everything together makes it even cheaper, I would say: no - but the sooner you buy it, the less you have wasted your own time.