Bending Cypress (Full Version)

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Message

r0bbie -> Bending Cypress (Mar. 1 2007 20:39:21)

Hi,

Next week I'll start building a guitar and my question is if anyone knows how to bend cypress?

To be more specific, do I have to soak it and for how long or do I have to boil it or just bend it dry and brush some water on it while bending?

I dont have any wood to practice on so it has to be "first time right" but if I do screw up I'll have plenty to practice on[&:] but it is quit expensive and that for wood that realy stinks! [X(]

Many thank in advance!
Rob.



stephen hill -> RE: Bending Cypress (Mar. 1 2007 22:16:11)

ahh, cypress is the most wonderfull stink!

if you thickness to flamenco dimentions about 2mm or less, some people do more, then you have to be carefull not to use too much water as the timber can start to warp. creating a real mess. use only a little water, or a cloth soaked in water for the waist to stop burning, but then use the cloth dry as too much water will also create an unstable bend. Yopu have to get it dry to be stable. On the upper and lower bouts use only a little water. The timber reaches an optimum bending heat then 'tightens' allowing no more bending to take place so let it cool right down and you will get better results!
good luck
stephen



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Bending Cypress (Mar. 2 2007 7:38:26)

I just want to emphasis a little thing that Stephen said.

Cypress bends wonderfully until it gets to hot then it gets completely stiff and impossible to bend. Most problems occur when you keep bending using more pressure. you break or scorch it
Take your time, and if the wood gets stiff, let it cool completely before you continue.....

Good luck with the building



aarongreen -> RE: Bending Cypress (Mar. 2 2007 12:57:38)

I have to say that I find cypress has a real tendency to spring back, more so than rosewood. I tend not to use water when bending rosewood as it seems to make it ripple across the grain but with cypress you need a little as Stephen says. I just mist teh surface I am putting in contact with the pipe. This seems to help keep the springback to a minimum. I also bend my sides at 2.2 mm. This leaves some room to clean up the sides once bent, and remove any funkyness.



r0bbie -> RE: Bending Cypress (Mar. 2 2007 15:34:10)

Thanks,

This is really useful information because I would have soaked it for ten minutes, but I wont do that now. I have bent Wenge and Zebrano, soaked for ten minutes but the sides did not stay flat and became more like this _------_ (cross section)dunno why this happend and I dont want the Cypress to do that.

Again, many thanks and Ill let you know.
Rob.



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Bending Cypress (Mar. 2 2007 16:06:00)

quote:

I have to say that I find cypress has a real tendency to spring back, more so than rosewood


Hi Aaron. Long time no see.

I totally agree. I have a bending machine, but I always final bend by hand just before assembly in ordre to make the fit perfect and thus eliminating stress in the construction. Cypress needs to be final bended a lot because of the springback whereas rosewood normally maintain its shape quit well.

I prefer to leave the sides of a flamenco 2,3 - 2,4. I think it gives better proyection. On a classical I give it 2,6 - 2,7 for the same reason



aarongreen -> RE: Bending Cypress (Mar. 3 2007 13:38:42)

Hi Anders,
No kidding, its been a while. It's also been a year now since Julia and I were in Granada. Which is lamentable, we miss it very much. How's Nimbus doing? Back on topic. your a bigger man than I for bending rosewood at 2.7. I have enough trouble as it is at 2.2


aaron



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