Bending Solid Linings
For our uke project we are using solid linings made of birch wood. These linings could be pre-bent on the hot pipe like we are doing the sides, but they can be just as easily bent in a cold press method. Here is a low tech way of doing that.The linings should be pre-bent before our next meeting on Feb. 16th. This is one project you can do on the kitchen table. I soaked the linings in hot water from the tap for about 10 minutes. Then, starting with the end of the linings even with the back end of one half of the mold, I carefully pressed and clamped the pieces in until I reached the neck end. Go slow and use plenty of clamps and cauls. If you have trouble doing all 4 pieces at once, do them 1 or 2 at a time. If you don't have clamps, you could tie them down to the mold. Let the strips dry completely in the mold. If you crack 1, just clamp it down as best as you can. Good luck!