Violin Forum/Message Board

LPVest · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:28 pm Post subject: Homemade Rib Bender

Here I am again...one of the noobs with another question.
I have been trying to bend ribs using my homemade bender made from a 1950's Stanley soldering iron inserted into a 1 1/4 inch chrome plated brass pipe. The temperature is controlled by a light dimmer.
My practice ribs have turned out fair, but I can't get a good fit without lots of clamping pressure. Is the 1 1/4 inch pipe too large to bend ribs?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Larry

kjb · Super Member Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 385

try this

http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/329385-homemade-rib-bender/

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

Thanks for linking my post on Maestronet, KJB.
Does the 1 1/4" pipe fit into the C bouts on an existing violin? I suspect not. I think that you need something more like 1". Also, depending on the wall thickness, the pipe might not have enough mass to hold enough heat to work well.
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

L P Reedy · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:14 pm Post subject:

1 1/4 inches is a little big for most models. I use a 1" instant heat curling iron and find it just about right for my current model. Even if the pipe fits the curves it may be too large because you usually need to overbend a little. That is, I find it hard to get the bend to perfectly fit the iron. Sometimes the bend is a little too tight in places but that is easy to correct.